Māori mum-of-eight Juanita Parata graduates with degree earned during cancer treatment

Juanita Parata graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging) from Unitec this week. Parata, 58, had chemotherapy over the course of her four-year degree and completed some of her studies from her sickbed. She is now fully qualified and works at Whangārei Hospital as a medical imaging technologist.

The return of cancer for a second time didn’t stop Juanita Parata from completing her Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging) and graduating this week. The 58-year-old mother-of-eight overcame cancer for a second time while completing the four-year degree, often logging in to study while having chemotherapy at Auckland hospital. Supported by her whānau, Parata (Ngāpuhi) finally donned her capping gown and korowai for the graduation at Auckland’s Aotea Square on Tuesday, at an event Parata said made her feel “blessed”.



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