Oceania University of Medicine is proud to announce that Satupaitea (Satu) Viali, BHB, MBChB (Auck), MPH (UNSW), FRACP, FCSANZ, FESC, FACC — NUS Professor of Medicine,  Consultant Physician & Cardiologist — has returned to the medical school as Interim Dean for Samoa and the Asia Pacific, as well as Professor of Medicine.

As the University embarks on its search for a permanent Dean, Professor Viali brings a unique perspective, having played a pivotal role during OUM’s formative years, pre-accreditation, prior to the new TTM Hospital opening in 2012, and was the Dean of OUM in 2007 when its first graduates earned their medical degrees. His assistance was sought upon the recent departure of Dr. Viali Lameko, Clinical Associate Professor and OUM Dean for Samoa and the Asia Pacific, as he pursues new professional and political opportunities.

“We are extremely fortunate to be welcoming Professor Viali back to the University to guide us through the upcoming months of transition,” says Professor Athol Mackay, OUM Vice Chancellor. “We are grateful for the counsel he will bring to our students, and for his commitment to work closely with Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Carmel Sang, to help identify candidates for the permanent Dean’s position,” he adds.

An early leader and supporter

Professor Viali was at OUM during its founding in 2002, becoming its first Dean and Professor of Medicine and remaining in that role until 2008. He was instrumental in developing the medical school’s initial basic science and clinical medicine curricula, in addition to supervising the first OSCE offerings (objective structured clinical examination), a student’s final medical school assessment before graduation..

During his interim post with OUM, he will remain as Professor of Medicine at the National University of Samoa (NUS) School of Medicine. Professor Viali also is a supervisor and mentor for Yale University MPH and postdoctoral students, Fiji National University Master of Medicine (MMed) students, and he supervises PhD students from Otago University in New Zealand. He was recently named Professor Adjunct of Public Health at Yale University. Dr. Viali will be continuing his busy clinical practice during his interim appointment at OUM.