The Oceania University of Medicine (O.U.M.) has announced Asiata Dr. Satupaitea Viali has returned to the medical school as the interim Dean for Samoa and the Asia Pacific and Professor of Medicine.

The university, in a statement issued to the Samoa Observer on Friday, said Prof. Viali will take on the role in the interim period as it kick-starts the recruitment process for a permanent appointment. A consultant physician and cardiologist, the medical specialist is also currently a Professor of Medicine at the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) School of Medicine.

Prof. Viali brings a unique perspective, the O.U.M. added, saying he played a pivotal role during the university's formative years of pre-accreditation. Prior to the opening of the national hospital at Moto'otua in 2012, he was the dean of O.U.M. in 2007 when its first graduates earned their medical degrees. 

The O.U.M. sought his assistance following the recent departure of Dr. Viali Lameko, the university's Clinical Associate Professor and Dean for Samoa and the Asia Pacific, who is pursuing new professional and political opportunities.

"We are extremely fortunate to be welcoming Professor Satu Viali back to the university to guide us through the upcoming months of transition," Professor Athol Mackay, the O.U.M. Vice-Chancellor, said. 

"We are grateful for the counsel he will bring to our students, and for his commitment to work closely with Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Carmel Sang, to help identify candidates for the permanent dean’s position."

Prof. Viali was at O.U.M. during its founding in 2002, becoming its first Dean and Professor of Medicine and remaining in that role until 2008. He was instrumental in developing the medical school's initial basic science and clinical medicine curricula, in addition to supervising the first OSCE offerings (objective structured clinical examination), a student's final medical school assessment before graduation.

During his interim appointment, the O.U.M. said Prof. Viali will remain as Professor of Medicine at the N.U.S. School of Medicine and also continue with his cardiology private practice and cardiology clinic in the national hospital under the Ministry of Health.