Championing Women’s Leadership in Emergency Medicine: Dr Manisha Shankar’s Journey from Fiji

When Dr Manisha Shankar began her studies, medicine wasn’t part of the plan. She once imagined a future as a teacher, police officer, or botanist. But when a scholarship opportunity opened the door to study medicine, she seized it—beginning a journey that would shape emergency care leadership in Fiji and across the Pacific. “I fell in love with medicine because it gives me purpose,” she reflects. “It’s a career that challenges me, grounds me, and allows me to serve.” 

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Growing up in Nausori, a small town outside Fiji’s capital, Suva, Manisha learned early the value of perseverance. Today she balances a demanding career, teaching commitments, and family life with three children. “Balancing family and medicine has been challenging,” she admits, “but my enablers—my parents, husband, and mentors—were stronger than any barriers.” 

Leading Change in Emergency Medicine 

Now a Consultant Emergency Physician and junior faculty member at Fiji’s largest hospital, Manisha plays a pivotal role in strengthening emergency-care capacity and mentoring the next generation of clinicians. She supervises research at the Fiji National University, leads national and regional Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training, and serves as a master trainer for the Healthcare Response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) workshops—advocating for gender-sensitive, survivor-centred care across the Pacific. 

“Public health must be at the epicentre of Fiji’s priorities,” she says. “Our role as emergency clinicians is not only to save lives, but to create systems that prevent harm and protect the vulnerable.” 

A Fellowship for Growth and Global Collaboration 

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In 2024, Manisha was selected for the Australia Awards Fellowship Program, delivered by Alfred Health and Monash University through the Alfred Emergency Academic Centre, and funded by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). 

“I applied because I wanted to learn more about global emergency care and capacity-building, especially in low-resource and geographically challenging settings,” she explains. 

For Manisha—who had never travelled outside Fiji—the Fellowship opened new horizons. She undertook clinical observerships at The Alfred Hospital and St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, attended postgraduate teaching sessions, observed trauma simulation training, and connected with leading emergency-care mentors. 

“Seeing compassionate leadership in action was transformative,” she says. “It reminded me that effective systems are built on teamwork, humility, and inclusion.” 

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Applying the Learning at Home 

Returning to Fiji, Manisha faced the challenge of translating lessons from a resource-rich environment into her own context. “Change takes time,” she acknowledges. “But small, consistent actions create momentum.” 

Among her initiatives: 

• Introducing consultant-led emergency care models inspired by her Melbourne observerships. 

• Updating ACLS training materials to reflect current evidence and Pacific relevance. 

• Mentoring junior doctors through research supervision and leadership coaching. 

• Advocating for safe-workplace policies that protect frontline health-care workers. 

• Promoting gender equity in training and leadership through mentorship and teaching. 

• Providing guidance on culturally appropriate teaching strategies for World Health Organization Basic Emergency Care courses delivered in Pacific contexts 

“I’m working on creating a culture where feedback uplifts, not discourages; where women see themselves as leaders, not exceptions.” 

Looking Ahead 

Dr Shankar is determined to pursue a PhD in Emergency-Care Research and to build stronger teaching and research networks across the region. She will travel to the Gold Coast later this year under a Global Emergency Care scholarship to present at the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting. 

“The Australia Awards Fellowship reminded me that leadership begins with courage and collaboration,” she says. “It gave me confidence that Pacific women can lead, research, and influence the systems that shape our care.” 

The Australia Awards Fellowship program aligns with DFAT’s priorities of advancing gender equality, strengthening regional partnerships, and building resilient health systems across the Indo-Pacific. 
 

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