Day 3 | Session 9 | Plenary |
Rough seas: Optimising the care of people with extra weight
Mana Mōmona: fat wāhine Māori and body sovereignty
Fat Indigenous Peoples and our bodies are subject to multiple forms of intersecting oppression. These systems of biopower, biopolitics, healthism, racism, sexism, and fatism (mis/re)position us as (un)well, (un)deserving, (dis)eased, (un)Desir(e)able, (un)(re)liable, and (un)worthy of care. This presentation shares insights from fat wāhine Māori about body sovereignty and hauora.
Dr Ashlea Gillon Aramoana
Researcher, Educator, Lecturer
Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland
Ashlea undertook a Fulbright Graduate Award based in Native Hawaiian and Indigenous Health at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa in 2022 and currently holds a Health Research Council of New Zealand Emerging First Researcher Grant exploring fat bias and health spaces for Māori.
Her work centres and explores Māori and Indigenous health, Indigenous fat studies, ethnicity and identity, racism and privilege, equity, Indigenous studies, theories, and methodologies.
Talking about weight
Discussing weight and obesity can be a challenge. We will discuss methods of introducing and contextualising this topic in a manner which minimises discomfort and maximises potential impact.
Dr Kathleen Antony
MD, MSCI, FACOG, FRANZCOG
American Board Certifications: Obstetrics & Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Obesity Medicine
Kathleen Antony is an Associate Professor of maternal-fetal medicine with the University of Auckland and works clinically at Middlemore Hospital. She has worked at the University of Auckland since 2023, and she has worked clinically at Te Whatu Ora Waitematā, Te Toka Tumai, and (since 2025) Counties Manukau.
She completed her training in obstetrics and gynaecology at Baylor College of Medicine in 2012 and in maternal-fetal medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in 2015. From 2015-2023 she worked as an assistant professor and then associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a maternal-fetal medicine specialist.
She is grateful for the opportunity to provide care for the pregnant people of Aotearoa.
Practical considerations for gynaecologic surgery in patients with excess weight
Gynaecological surgery in women with excess weight is more frequent than ever before, which is associated with an increase in surgical complexity and risk of complications. A practical approach to gynaecological surgery in women with weight is presented.
Dr Tom De Greve
Gynaecological Oncology Consultant
Te Toka Tumai, Auckland
Dr Tom De Greve was born in Rome (Italy) grew up in East Africa. He obtained his medical degree from the Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands, and graduated as specialist obstetrician gynaecologist from the Ghent University, Belgium.
He trained as gynaecological oncologist in Pretoria (South Africa), at the QCGC Brisbane. In addition, Tom has received 13 months of general surgical and colorectal subspecialty training at the QE2 Hospital in Brisbane.
Currently Tom is working as a consultant gynaecological oncology at Te Toka Tumai in Auckland and is completing the CGO requirements. He is an active member of the New Zealand Gynaecological Cancer Group (NZGCG) where he has chaired the SLN in cervical cancer working group. He offers an international view on care.
Pregnancy after bariatric surgery
Pregnancy after bariatric surgery - how can we maximise benefits and reduce complications?
Dr Stephanie Cox
Obstetric Physician
Auckland City Hospital, Te Toka Tumai
Stephanie attended the University of Auckland and completed dual specialist physician training in General Medicine and Endocrinology at Rotorua, Christchurch and Waikato Hospitals before returning to Auckland to complete a fellowship in Obstetric Medicine at National Women’s Health. She was awarded the SOMANZ Certificate of Obstetric Medicine in 2016.
Stephanie is Clinical Lead for the Diabetes in Pregnancy Service and is an experienced Obstetric Physician who is passionate about helping patients and their whānau plan and achieve healthy pregnancies. She also works part time as a General Medicine Physician at Auckland City Hospital.