Championing compassionate surgical care in Fiji with the help of the Aspen Medical Foundation
In 2025, Sera Metai was awarded an Aspen Medical Foundation scholarship to pursue a Postgraduate Diploma in Peri-Operative Nursing at Fiji National University. A proud islander from Taveuni, a dedicated peri-operative nurse and a mother of two, Sera exemplifies resilience, compassion and professional excellence.
Supported by the Aspen Medical Foundation, Sera is entering a transformative phase of her nursing career. She is determined to raise surgical care standards and mentor the next generation of theatre nurses in Fiji.
“Just as midwives specialise to protect life with dignity, I aim to elevate peri-operative practice for the wellbeing of every patient entrusted to us,” she shares.
In the year ahead, Sera’s studies will focus on strengthening intraoperative protocols, refining medication management and improving recovery outcomes, ensuring every patient receives safe, dignified and empathetic care.
Balancing full-time nursing and motherhood, Sera says the scholarship has lifted a financial burden and allowed her to focus wholeheartedly on her academic and clinical development.
“This opportunity reignited my commitment to the operating theatre, not just as a workplace, but as a space where patient dignity and safety begin with expert care,” she says.
The scholarship, Sera adds, bridged the gap between her duties and dreams.
“It’s more than financial aid; it’s a gesture of belief in what I do and why I do it. That kind of encouragement stays with you, and I carry it with pride every day.”
Thanks to her drive and the support of the Aspen Medical Foundation, Sera is not only building a brighter future for herself and her family, but also contributing to stronger, safer surgical care across Fiji.