Amelia was the first female Minister for Health for the Kingdom of Tonga from 2019 to December 2021 and led Tonga’s response to both the measles outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic up to December 2021, without deaths for both during her time in leadership. Before that she was the national Chief Nursing Officer. Amelia’s PhD work informed the development of the Tonga National Professional Standards for the Registered Nurse and is mandated within the Act 2021. Amelia received the Professional Achievement Alumni award in 2014, Adjunct Associate Professor in 2019 and full professor, Adjunct Professor on 7 Feb 2023 from the University of Sydney. Amelia was decorated with the Knight Grand Cross: Royal Order of the Crown of the Kingdom of Tonga by His Majesty King Tupou VI in 2021. Amelia was a member of the WHO Executive Board (EB) and WHO EB Rapporteur in 2020. She has been awarded with Prime Minister Excellent Establishment Award, International Women Leadership, Police Medal and Patronage awards. Amelia is committed to championing and supporting the globe’s largest health care workforce─nurses and midwives to transform health systems to promote health and well-being, promote gender equity and serve the vulnerable. Amelia joined the World Health Organization as Chief Nursing Officer in January 2023.
