Jada Melbourne has just completed her 4th-year of medical school at the University of Auckland. She is a dedicated tauira interested in engaging with current Māori health leaders.
Alongside her studies, Jada is a leader within her university through her role as the Tāmaki Tuakana at Te Oranga - Māori Medical Students Association Aotearoa. This allows her to collaborate with other Māori students, provide advocacy, and promote the well-being of Māori health students within the university.
In 2022-2023 Jada did a Kia Ora Hauora research summer project which was focused on the Wairua of our Māori patients in Tauranga and her hometown of Whakatāne. This project was done alongside Te Pare о̄ Toi, Bay of Plenty’s regional Māori health team.
In 2019, Jada was selected to attend the Rotary National Science and Technology Forum. The program is for year 12 students who intend to study the sciences or technology at the tertiary level. From her experience at the Forum, Jada expressed her enjoyment of biomedical science.
Using her newfound interest in the medical sciences she is now focused on continuing to learn how to contribute to the future healthcare workforce. Next year for her 5th year of medical school she will be placed in Whangārei as a part of the University of Auckland’s Pukawakawa programme- A Northland regional-rural programme. This provides students an opportunity to learn more about Māori health in a rural setting.
As an aspiring Māori health practitioner, she is on the path to becoming a future Māori health leader.
