Suzanne Pitama
BA MA Hons PG DipEd Psych
Senior Lecturer
Associate Dean, MIHI (Māori/Indigenous Health Institute)
Email suzanne.pitama@otago.ac.nz
MIHI (Māori/Indigenous Health Institute)
School of Medicine and Health Sciences,
University of Otago, Christchurch.
PO Box 4345,
Christchurch
Background
Suzanne, Ngati Kahungunu, Director of the Māori/Indigenous Health Institute, University of Otago -Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Suzanne has been involved in Māori health research for over 18 years. She is a keen advocate for Kaupapa Māori based methodologies and has interests in child mental health, curriculum development and Māori community based projects.
Suzanne is currently leading an HRC funded project that is focusing on the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in Māori communities.
Suzanne is also undertaking her PhD looking at the design and development of an indigenous health course within a medical curriculum.
Teaching
- PUBH 709 Hauora - Māori Health Issues
- Undergraduate Medical Curriculum UOC (Years 4-6)
Contributes to:
- PUBH 701 Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- PUBH 706 Health Systems
- PSME 423 Child and Family Mental Health
- PUBH 702 Society, Health and Public Policy
- Undergraduate Medical Curriculum UOC (Years 2-6)
Research Interests
- Hauora Māori – Māori Health
- Effects of Adoption Practices on Mental Health
- Cardiovascular disease
- Severe Behaviour in childhood and adolescence
- MoDCONZ - Modelling disease and cancer outcomes in New Zealand
Professional Activities
- Educational Psychologist
- Suzanne Pitama is the Haura Māori representative on the Faculty of Medicine Curriculum Committee
Publications
