The Aspen Medical Foundation has announced two recipients of its 2025 Fiji Health Workforce Capacity Scholarships, providing full support for postgraduate study in neonatal care. The scholarships, delivered in partnership with the Australian College of Nursing (ACN), have been awarded to Leena Mudaliar and Agnes Whippy, both of whom are nurses working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Lautoka Hospital in Fiji’s Western Division.
These scholarships are part of the Aspen Medical Foundation’s broader commitment to building health workforce capacity in the region. Through the Fiji Health Workforce Capacity Scholarship, Aspen Medical supports nurses working in Aspen Medical-managed public hospitals in Lautoka and Ba to gain advanced qualifications in critical areas of care.
Aspen Medical Foundation Chair Ms. Sian Keys said:
“It is wonderful to see our scholarship program continue to grow in the Pacific. Offering access to postgraduate studies reinforces our core mission of building health capacity in under-resourced areas. We’re especially proud to partner with the Australian College of Nursing, as we share a strong, common commitment to advancing healthcare outcomes through education and workforce development.”
Both recipients will study the Graduate Certificate in Neonatal Care through ACN, further strengthening the clinical and leadership capacity of Fiji’s neonatal nursing workforce.
Leena Mudaliar currently serves as the Nurse Unit Manager in the NICU at Lautoka Hospital. A seasoned leader and facilitator of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program and NICU policy implementation, Leena sees this scholarship as an opportunity to deepen her clinical expertise and support a culture of excellence within her team.
“This qualification bridges advanced clinical knowledge with leadership skills,” Leena said. “It enables me to lead with confidence, support my team, and ensure high-quality, compassionate care for every baby and family.”
Agnes Whippy has worked in the NICU for the past four years, caring for critically ill newborn infants including those with complex conditions such as congenital heart defects and respiratory failure. She is known for her dedication to team collaboration, family-centred care and continuous improvement.
In response to the award, Agnes shared:
“Personally, I feel so blessed and honoured to be awarded this scholarship, as we would be the first Fijian neonatal nurses to study neonatal care. I am so excited and so happy! My sincere and most humble thanks go out to Aspen Medical Foundation for allowing us this opportunity to study and develop our skills.”
The Aspen Medical Foundation’s scholarship program focuses on supporting individuals through the full arc of their educational journey, from entry-level qualifications to postgraduate and leadership training. Leena and Agnes now join a growing cohort of Fijian nurses supported by the Foundation to deliver better outcomes in high-acuity care settings.
Since its inception, the Aspen Medical Foundation’s scholarship program has committed over $690,000 across Australia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
