Tēnā koutou,
I would like to sincerely thank the ACEM Foundation for the opportunity to attend the 2024 Conference in Adelaide as one of two scholarship recipients. This generous support – which covered transport, accommodation, meals, and conference registration – allowed me to fully participate and embrace all that the conference had to offer.
The experience was truly unforgettable. I felt privileged to meet and learn from many Fellows of the College (FACEM), and to engage in kōrero that deepened my understanding of both the challenges and the immense rewards of Emergency Medicine. Meeting Dr Fiona Bowles, Director of Emergency Medicine in Te Taitokerau, was a particular highlight. Her wisdom and guidance gave me a clearer picture of the personalities, pressures, and responsibility that come with working in the Emergency Department, and helped prepare me for my own rotation in Emergency Medicine, which began in January 2025.
The timing of this conference was invaluable. The insights I gained not only gave me confidence heading into my rotation but also sparked a stronger passion for understanding the systems, teamwork, and human connection that underpin high-quality acute care. This was more than professional development — it was a foundation that continues to shape the doctor I am becoming.
On a deeply personal level, the conference also carried profound meaning. I had the privilege of meeting Dr Kim Yates, a whanaunga of mine and the aunty of my namesake, Maia. My cousin Maia tragically passed away in a drowning accident at Waihi, and the following year my mother carried me. She was a beautiful and intelligent wahine, ahead of her time, whose memory has always been woven into my life. Carrying her name has been pivotal in shaping my direction as a person — reminding me always of the responsibility, resilience, and aroha that come with her legacy. Meeting Dr Yates at this conference felt like a tohu — a sign that I was right where I was meant to be. It was a moment of connection, affirmation, and deep wairua, and it made me feel truly welcomed into the Emergency Medicine whānau.
In many ways, this personal connection mirrors what is needed in our profession. Technical knowledge and skill are essential, but it is the softness, empathy, and pride in our purpose that allow doctors to be the best they can be. This conference reinforced for me the importance of bringing both skill and heart into Emergency Medicine, and it strengthened my resolve to serve with excellence, humility, and compassion.
As I now serve within the New Zealand Defence Force, and reflect on my six months in Emergency Medicine, I carry forward not only the clinical insights but also the inspiration and pride this conference gave me. I remain profoundly grateful to the ACEM Foundation for this opportunity, and I would wholeheartedly recommend this scholarship to other Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori practitioners who are considering a career in Emergency Medicine.
Ngā mihi nui,
Dr Maia Keti Krystina Tipene
ACEM Foundation Scholarship report 202