New student studentship supports wāhine
January 16, 2023
Makayla Kahi (Ngāti Kauwhata), was awarded this year’s Vision Research Foundation Summer Studentship, mentored by Professor Helen Danesh-Meyer.
Kahi has a certificate in health science and is a second-year medical student at the University of Auckland. She is a Pūhoro STEMM Academy scholarship recipient (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and mātauranga – Māori knowledge) and now works as a tutor lead at the academy. Kahi has also been involved with research projects at Liggins Institute and with TBI Health Group NZ.
Māori doctors comprise less than 3% of surgeons, including ophthalmologists, in New Zealand. The percentage of female Māori surgeons is lower still, said Prof Danesh-Meyer, adding there’s also a general under-representation of women in surgery, comprising just 18% of surgeons in Aotearoa. “By addressing the inequity in the healthcare profession, Vision Research Foundation hopes to contribute to action on these major health inequities.”
The Vision Research Foundation Summer Studentship is 10 weeks long and includes clinical and research components. As part of the former, Kahi will participate in clinics and observe eye surgeries at Eye Institute. The research element will include a literature review and the design of a semi-structured interview for Māori medical students, exploring barriers to entry into surgical careers, including ophthalmological surgical programmes.
The research findings will contribute to a mentorship programme to support young wāhine Māori students on their journey in undertaking surgical careers. A hui will be planned for students, with a focus on wāhine Māori at secondary and medical school level.
“I’m excited to begin work on this summer studentship, shadowing Professor Danesh-Meyer is awesome! Hopefully the research will make a real difference in understanding the barriers for wāhine Māori in medicine, navigating their way into surgery.” - Makayla Kahi
Makayla Kahi has a certificate in health science and is currently a third-year medical student at the University of Auckland.
She has been involved with Māori research projects with Liggins Institute and with TBI Health Group NZ.
Makayla is also a tutor lead at Pūhoro STEMM Academy and won best poster at the Pūhoro STEMM Academy Hui.
