The UCSF Center for Global Nursing (CGN) collaborates with the Tonga Ministry of Health (MOH), along with leaders from Tonga National University, nursing directors, hospital administrators, and quality improvement champions, to offer the Global Nursing Quality Improvement Fellowship. The Fellowship builds nursing leadership capacity in quality improvement methodologies and facilitates high-quality, nurse-led quality improvement projects that advance national health priorities across Tonga. The Fellowship also strengthens interprofessional collaboration and contributes to the development of sustainable health systems through continued quality improvement education, mentorship, and advancements in quality care to improve patient outcomes.
Program Objectives
Strengthen Nursing Leadership: Provide hands-on training and mentorship in quality improvement methodologies, enabling Tongan nurse educators to address critical healthcare challenges.
- Empower Nurse Educators: Provide training and mentorship to develop and lead quality improvement initiatives within Tonga's health system.
- Foster Bidirectional Learning and Collaboration: Strengthen bidirectional learning among program Fellows, coaches, and faculty through shared problem-solving, knowledge exchange, and mutual learning.
Program Impact
Improve Outcomes in Tonga: Through targeted quality improvement projects, nurse educators will strengthen the quality of healthcare services and patient outcomes across Tonga.
Foster Partnerships: Ongoing collaboration between the Tonga Ministry of Health and UCSF will support equitable, sustainable partnerships and continued shared learning.
- Strengthen the Nursing Workforce: By designing, implementing, and evaluating quality improvement projects, nurse educators will strengthen their capacity to lead and sustain quality improvement initiatives across Tonga.
QI Projects
Quality improvement projects address clinical care delivery, preventive health and chronic disease management, and nursing education and workforce development priorities in Tonga by:
- Increasing HPV vaccination uptake
- Strengthening adherence to injectable medication double-check procedures
- Improving nursing students' success in final practical assessments
- Promoting healthy eating and physical activity among adults with Type 2 diabetes
- Reducing missed NCD follow-up appointments through improved patient tracing and engagement
- Improving the accuracy of nursing students’ clinical competency assessments and preceptor documentation
Fellowship Faculty
Adam Cooper, DNP, RN, NPD-BC
Director of Nursing Continuous Improvement and Interim Director of Nursing Research at UCSF Health | UCSF Leadership Institute
Rebecca Silvers, DNP, CPNP-AC
Director | UCSF Center for Global Nursing
Melesi'i Inu Ki Ha'angana Filise, MSN, MEd RN
Chief Nursing Officer | Tongan Ministry of Health
Fellowship Coaches
Pou Fonohema, MPH, RN Noncommunicable diseases Nurse Educator | Tongan Ministry of Health
Mounu Lolohea, MSN
Clinical Head Educator | Tongan Ministry of Health
Sia Tuitupou, BSN, RN, RMW
Professor | Tonga National University School of Nursing
Piula Tukia, BSN
Reproductive Health Nurse Educator | Tongan Ministry of Health
2025-2026 Global Nursing QI Fellows
The inaugural cohort of Global Nursing Quality Improvement Fellows brought together nurse educators from Tongatapu, ‘Eua, and Vava‘u, as well as Tonga National University facilities.
Ofa Afu, BSN
Nurse Practitioner | Tongan Ministry of Health
Pou Fonohema, MPH, RN
Noncommunicable diseases Nurse Educator | Tongan Ministry of Health
Mounu Lolohea, MSN
Clinical Head Educator | Tongan Ministry of Health
Mele Tauf Manu, BSN
Professor | Tonga National University School of Nursing
Toa Tonga, BSN
Nurse Educator | Tongan Ministry of Health
Sia Tuitupou, BSN, RN, RMW
Professor | Tonga National University School of Nursing
Piula Tukia, BSN
Reproductive Health Nurse Educator | Tongan Ministry of Health
