NUS School of Medicine - SOM

Faafetai i le Finagalo Pa'ia o Iesu ua i'u ma le manuia galuega ma suega i lenei aso🙏

Congratulations to our MPH Year II and MBBS Year I students for today's final examinations - Big well done to you all👏

Heaps of thanks to our Course Lecturers and Examiners for your hard work and kind support throughout this semester 🙌

MBBS Year I
HMS115: Biochemistry and Genetics
* Dr. Keresoma Leaupepe

MPH Year II
HMP504: Foundations of Epidemiology
* Dr. Keresoma Leaupepe

HMP513: Foundamental of Health Project
Management
* Afioga Fuimaono Darryl Laifai Pupi

Vi'ia le Ali'i ❤️ May our Heavenly Father bless us all 💖

To our Master of Public Health (MPH) students 🙌 all the best and good luck with our final examinations 2026 S1 today, Friday, 12th June 2026 🙏 cheers and God bless 👏

God is Good all the time 👏 Fa'afetai, faamalo le galulue, malo le tauivi ma le onosa'i 🙏 to all our MBBS Year 3 Lecturers and students for today's final exams - OSCEs 2026 S1 ❤️

Huge thanks and blessings 🙌 to our Course Lecturers and Examiners for todays' MBBS Year 3 Objectively Structured Clinical Exams (OSCE):

MBBS Year 3 OSCEs
STATION 1: HMS304 Special Senses
* Dr. Sione Pifeleti (Examiner)
* Dr. Manoj Sharma

STATION 2: HMS302 Endocrine System
* Dr. Nolan Fuamatu (Examiner)

STATION 3: HMS303 Reproduction, Aging and
Development
* Dr. Silaulelei Asaua (Examiner)
* Dr. Farah Fatupaito-Marumatakimanu
* Dr. Nuualofa Mauiliu

May God bless us all 💫 Thanks again and enjoy the long semester break 🙏

🎉New Research Publication🎉

The School of Medicine is proud to congratulate Dr Helena Va’a-Fuimaono, one of our Lecturer, on the publication of her research article:

“Spectrum of Skin Diseases in Samoa: A Retrospective Clinical Audit (January–March 2020)” in Pacific Health Dialog.

This study represents the first comprehensive audit of dermatological diagnoses conducted within Samoa’s public health system, providing valuable baseline data on the burden and patterns of skin diseases in Samoa.

The findings will help inform future clinical services, public health planning, medical education, and dermatology research both nationally and across the Pacific region.

This achievement reflects the School of Medicine’s commitment to developing clinician-scientists who contribute to improving health outcomes through locally relevant research.

Congratulations, Dr Helena, on this important contribution to Samoan healthcare and medical science.

Reference:
Va’a-Fuimaono H, Leaupepe K. Spectrum of skin diseases in Samoa: a retrospective clinical audit (January–March 2020). Pacific Health Dialog. 2026;26(3):111–118.

Vi'ia le Ali'i 🙏 bravo and great work to our Master of Public Health (MPH) and Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students - Final Examinations 2026 S1 for today ❤️

Special thanks to the following Course Lecturers and Examiners for today, Wednesday 10th June 2026 Final Examinations:

MPH Year 2:
HMP516 Environmental Health Sciences
* Afioga Faumuina Ualesi Mae'e Falefa Silva

MBBS Year 1:
HMS112 Physiology
* Dr. Adam Keil Howman

Faamalo le galulue ma le onosa'i 👏 Malo lava le tautua ma le alofa 💖

Thank you everyone for today 🙌 Love and prayers always 💫 God bless 💕

🎉 History Made: First Medical Student Publication 🎉

The School of Medicine is proud to celebrate a historic achievement by Dr Kirifi N. Paoa, a recent MBBS graduate of the school and now an intern doctor at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTMH).

Dr Paoa has become the first medical student in the history of the School of Medicine to successfully publish his final-year clinical audit and research project in a peer-reviewed international journal, Pacific Health Dialog.

This achievement marks an important milestone for our medical programme and reflects the School's commitment to developing a new generation of hybrid doctors—clinicians who not only provide patient care but also contribute to scientific research that strengthens health systems and improves health outcomes in Samoa and the Pacific region.

This success is only the beginning. Two additional manuscripts from the same graduating cohort are currently in the publication pipeline, while six more student research projects are preparing for Ministry of Health Health Research Committee presentation, review and publication approval.

These achievements demonstrate the growing culture of research, innovation, and evidence-based practice within the School of Medicine and highlight the potential of our students to contribute meaningfully to both clinical care and scientific discovery.

Congratulations to Dr Kirifi Paoa, his supervisors, on this historic accomplishment.

📖 Published Research Summary

The study examined adherence to secondary benzathine penicillin prophylaxis among Samoan children with acute rheumatic fever before and after Samoa's first COVID-19 outbreak. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research found that adherence declined following COVID-19-related service disruptions and became increasingly unequal, with vulnerable children experiencing the greatest challenges in maintaining treatment. The findings highlight the importance of continuity-focused and equity-oriented approaches to chronic disease management during public health emergencies.

Reference:
Paoa KN, Leaupepe K. Adherence to secondary benzathine penicillin prophylaxis among children with acute rheumatic fever before and after COVID-19 in Samoa: a retrospective mixed-methods study. Pacific Health Dialog. 2026;26(3):119–130. doi:10.26635/phd.2026.237

E lelei le Ali'i 👏 Great job and well done to our MBBS Year 2 students - OSCEs today ❤️

Special thanks to our following Course Lecturers and Examiners for today, Tuesday 9th June 2026 OSCEs S1:

STATION 1: HMS200 Musculoskeletal System
* Dr. Shaun Mauiliu
* Dr. Areta Samuelu
* Dr. Robert Faataga

STATION 2: HMS201 Cardiovascular System
* Dr. Rossana Tofaeono-Pifeleti

STATION 3: HMS202 Respiratory System
* Dr. Adam Keil Howman

Malo lava le tautua ma le fa'amaoni 💖

Thank you so much for everything and may God bless you all 🙌

NEW DOCTORS RECITE THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH!

Proud to witness our graduating class of 2025 being officially admitted into the Samoa Medical Association and reciting the Hippocratic Oath for the first time!

MBBS 4,5,6 STUDENTS JOIN THE SAMOA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE!

Malo! Aulelei mai outou ma Le toniga!

INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL STUDENTS!

Our SOM 🇼🇸 students from Germany and OUM students from Melbourne through the Medical elective program joined the Samoa Medical Association Scientific Conference today!