Viopapa Annandale–Atherton (also known as Papali'i Dr Viopapa Annandale–Atherton) is a Samoan medical doctor who has worked to improve the health of women and children in the Pacific Islands. She was the first Pacific Island woman to graduate from a New Zealand university.

Early life and education

Born in

Samoa Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa; sm, Sāmoa, and until 1997 known as Western Samoa, is a Polynesian island country consisting of two main islands (Savai'i and Upolu); two smaller, inhabited islands (Manono Island, Manono an ...

, Annandale–Atherton is the daughter of Edward Annandale and Sina Nelson. Annandale–Atherton received a scholarship to study at

Epsom Girls Grammar School , motto_translation = ''Through difficulties to greatness.'' , coordinates = , type = State Single Sex Girls Secondary (Year 9–13) with Boarding Facilities , established = 12 February 1917 , MOE = 64 , principal = Lorraine Pound , colo ...

. She studied medicine at the

University of Otago , image_name = University of Otago Registry Building2.jpg , image_size = , caption = University clock tower , motto = la, Sapere aude , mottoeng = Dare to be wise , established = 1869; 152 years ago , type = Public research collegiate u ...

, graduating

MB ChB Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery ( la, Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae; abbreviated most commonly MBBS), is the primary medical degree awarded by medical schools in countries that follow the tradition of the United King ...

in 1964.

Career

After graduation Annandale–Atherton went to

Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...

where she was a house surgeon at the

Royal Infirmary Royal Infirmary may refer to a number of hospitals in the United Kingdom: *England ** Blackburn Royal Infirmary **Bradford Royal Infirmary ** Bolton Royal Infirmary **Bristol Royal Infirmary **Chester Royal Infirmary **Derbyshire Royal Infirmary * ...

. She studied at the

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is a public research university in Bloomsbury, central London, and a member institution of the University of London that specialises in public health and tropical medicine. The inst ...

receiving a Diploma in Tropical Health. Annandale–Atherton has served on many health organisations: the World Health Organisation's (WHO) advisory committee on long-acting contraceptives, as head of Samoa's Maternal and Child Health Department (1971–1982), one of the founders of a school for special needs (1979), on a Samoan body looking into domestic violence and human rights (1994), and president of Soroptimist International of Samoa. In 1992, after many years of moving between the United Kingdom and Samoa, she returned to Samoa to set up a general practice. Annandale–Atherton has worked to improve the health and welfare of women and children in the Pacific Islands. This has included obtaining international funding for projects from

USAID The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government that is primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance. With a budget of over $27 bi ...

, the EU and WHO to support women and children, and initiating family planning services and vaccination programmes in Samoa. She has been active in the Pan–Pacific and South East Asian Women's Association and was international president from 2004 to 2010.

Honours and awards

Annandale–Atherton received an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Otago in 2019.

Personal life

Annandale–Atherton's great-grandfather was

Thomas Annandale Thomas Annandale, FRCS FRSE (1838–1907) was a Scottish surgeon who conducted the first repair of the meniscus and the first successful removal of an acoustic neuroma, and introduced the pre-peritoneal approach to inguinal hernia repair. H ...

, a Professor of Clinical Surgery in Scotland. Her grandfather was Samoan businessman and politician Ta'isi Olaf Frederick Nelson. She met her husband John Atherton in Edinburgh and they had two sons. Her father in law was Noel Atherton.

References

External links

Papali'i Doctor Viopapa Annandale Atherton interview on YouTubePan–Pacific and South East Asian Women's Association (PPSEAWA) website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Annandale-Atherton, Viopapa University of Otago alumni People educated at Epsom Girls' Grammar School Living people Samoan women Samoan people of Scottish descent Samoan physicians Year of birth missing (living people)