Prashika Poonam

We’re delighted to announce Prashika Poonam as the recipient of the 2026 Yvonne     A. M. Smith Scholarship.

Prashika Poonam was awarded the 2026 Yvonne Smith Scholarship to support her Master of Business Administration at the University of Auckland and her ambition to strengthen healthcare leadership in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Prashika’s decision to undertake an MBA followed her appointment to establish and lead the new Northland Radiation Oncology Unit. The service will enable people across Te Tai Tokerau to access cancer treatment closer to home, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances while unwell.

Through her leadership role, Prashika sees first-hand the importance of providing excellent healthcare, improving access to services, supporting healthcare staff and finding better ways to deliver care. Her MBA is helping her build the skills and knowledge to take on these challenges and make a difference beyond the day-to-day running of a healthcare service.

Prashika has already achieved excellent results in her studies, including an A+ and a Certificate of Excellence in Leading in Complexity. She is continuing to develop her knowledge in areas such as strategy, analytics, operations and innovation.

Prashika hopes to use what she learns through her MBA to help improve healthcare in New Zealand, particularly by making services more accessible, strengthening regional healthcare and supporting those working on the frontline. Her goal is to help improve cancer care so that people in Northland and across New Zealand can access the care they need, both now and in the future.