Following the calling
"Inequity is about treating people differently – so I go out of my way for them – the system is not designed to work for them and I have to help make up for that. Starting at the individual level – that is what I’m doing!" - Bree-Anna Langton, Medical Doctor
Bree-anna Langton. Medical Doctor, Te Whatu Ora Taranaki, Base Hospital
Ko Taranaki te Maunga
Ko Kurahaupo te Waka
Ko Taranaki te Iwi
Ko Ngāti Tara te Hapu
Ko Okorotua te Marae
Ko Bree-Anna Langton tōku Ingoa
I started in Why Ora as a Year 10. It was a cool way for me to meet other Māori students. I’m quite white looking but I felt really good being there, and it helped later when I was at university. I felt accepted and involved as a Māori – just the same as everyone else.
I really enjoyed participating in Why Ora programmes. So, then I got an opportunity to shadow a pharmacist. We went into the lab and got a free feed – it was such a cool day to hang out – such a positive experience.
I’d always loved science – especially anatomy and physiology! So, when I finished school, I didn’t know what I wanted to do but I knew it was science based. I went to Dunedin and did my 1st year of Health Science. It was a big step, as none of my whānau had been to university before me.
While there I got very involved with their Māori Health Workforce Development Unit (MHWDU). I really felt like I was part of the whānau. I accessed lots of teaching and events, and from there I grew my interest and capability in Māoritanga.
Then when I got into Medicine, I decided to give it a go. I enjoyed it and carried on. All of us Māori medical students became quite tight – we got each other and stuck together. Why Ora checked in on me during the year. It was nice to be remembered and know they could advocate for me. I’d keep in touch with them and go out for a coffee.
We have a yearly noho for all Māori medical students – 300 people each year and you end up knowing people from all across the motu! Through our noho I got talking to Josh Manukonga. He was doing the year-long Rumaki Reo course and I ended up deciding to do it too. I now have a Diploma in Oral Māori Language Fluency.
I heard ‘Te karanga o te Tupuna” – a calling from my ancestors. It was the right time to come home even though it was a really big decision for me to do that.
Once I completed my studies I got a job back here at Taranaki Base Hospital, as a first-year doctor in general medicine.
When I think about my own future I see two potential career paths – I’ll either be a GP down the coast or working from a marae, really grassroots – or I might take up Psychiatry, with an interest in Māori health. Our mental health system needs work.
For me it is not about the destination, it’s the journey – there’s no rush, there’s a perception out there we have to get to the end as quick as we can – however taking a year out to do something I was really passionate about was the best thing I ever did! Going with the flow and seeing where life takes you is just as rewarding if not more rewarding.
And being grateful. I am super grateful to Why Ora for all of the support over the years. I was 14 when I started with Why Ora! That’s 10 years – it’s a long time!
What One of my biggest goals is to normalise Te Reo Māori in communication. I take opportunities to do that at work. I’ve already had two consults in full Te Reo and I also use it in my advice to patients if I know they are fluent. And I personally advocate for Māori patients where I can.
Inequity is about treating people differently – so I go out of my way for them – the system is not designed to work for them and I have to help make up for that. Starting at the individual level – that is what I’m doing!
What positive change could look like at a system level is having more Māori doctors on the floor and bringing the services out to the people – travel to the patient and not the other way around. We also need Māori in higher up places to be advocating for Māori!
