Samoan cardiologist Asiata Professor Satupaitea Viali will become a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC), although he will not be able to attend the official graduation ceremony due to his commitments in Samoa.
Dr. Viali graduated from medical schools in New Zealand, Australia and other countries, and is a cardiologist and a consultant physician in Samoa.
Joining the ranks of the FACC is considered the gold standard in America for cardiovascular professionals.
Dr. Viali has decided to sacrifice traveling to America to receive his award, so he can tend to his patients and carry out lectures for his medical students at National University of Samoa.
He has requested to have his FACC Certificate sent to Samoa, so it could be presented by the National University of Samoa School of Medicine during its graduation in four weeks time.
“In New Zealand and Australia, without a Fellow qualification, you cannot be called a specialist, and this is the level that we are aiming for in Samoa, so that we compete with New Zealand and Australia on an equal footing,” Dr. Viali told the Samoa Observer.
He wants to contribute to the post-graduate “training of local doctors under the School of Medicine (SOM) National University of Samoa.”
As the founder and Senior Pastor of the Cornerstone Church Samoa for the last seven to eight years, Dr. Viali is also attending the Malua Bible School for Theological Studies, to extend his understanding of God’s word.
