Many of you will know Theresa as our warm, cheerful, and approachable nurse at PTO. Her friendly and bubbly personality makes everyone feel at ease, but did you know Theresa was a recipient of the 2025 Southern Nursing Excellence Award "Pacific Nursing" category?
Theresa is a dedicated and highly professional nurse whose compassion, clinical expertise, and strong cultural insight have made a significant impact at Pacific Trust Otago. She has led vaccination clinics, including the RSE MMR project across Central Otago, and delivers health promotion workshops such as diabetes education, Pink events, and CVRA clinics—often outside regular hours. Her calm, respectful, and reliable presence under pressure, combined with her support for long-term condition management and the Senior Group, reflect her holistic approach and deep commitment to improving Pacific community health. Theresa’s values-driven work makes her a valued team member and a deserving award recipient. Reflecting on the award, Theresa shared,
"Winning the Southern Excellence Nursing Award for Pacific Nursing means so much to me and to our service. It’s recognition of the work we do every day, no matter how big or small, to look after our Pasifika families and communities. This award has also been a wonderful reminder as to why I am so passionate about nursing - which is to fill the gaps in our health system, encourage and empower our Pasifika communities to prioritize their health, while keeping to our cultures and values. It motivates me to keep moving forward and keep finding valuable ways to support our people."
This award is just the beginning. It highlights the incredible work done so far and opens the door to even greater achievements.
Malo le tautua Theresa.
