A Christchurch nurse was selected as one of the four top MÄori health scholars for 2011 from among more than 570 contenders this year.
Michelle Turrall of NgÄi Tahu was awarded one of two $10,000 Te Apa MÄreikura Awards presented by Associate Minister of Health Tariana Turia at a ceremony in Wellington last month.
The Te Apa MÄreikura scholarships are awarded to applicants who can demonstrate leadership in community health, have strong connections and involvements with their communities, and are achieving academic excellence.
Michelle Turrall currently works as whÄnau link coordinator with Pegasus Health but has also worked as a regional immunisation co-coordinator, a tamariki ora (well child) service manager and nurse for the MÄori Women’s Welfare League, and is a longstanding volunteer for the Safecare forensic sexual assault support team. Her community and committee work has won her a number of leadership and volunteer awards.
Turrall initially trained as a registered psychopaedic nurse, later graduated in general and obstetric nursing, and is aiming to complete her postgraduate diploma in mental health in 2012.
She said the postgraduate diploma would help more effectively deliver a whÄnau ora service to the families she works with.
The Te Apa MÄreikura Award winners and the two John McLeod scholarships are selected each year from the top applicants for the annual Ministry of Health Hauora MÄori scholarships. This year, there were 574 successful applicants for Hauora MÄori scholarships, which are aimed at building the MÄori health and disability workforce.
