Doctor has Samoan connection

Hamilton’s Dr Noel Karalus is living proof that thirty years of medical experience can’t be shaken off very easily.

The recently retired Waikato Hospital consultant has jetted off to Samoa to share his wisdom with those who need it.

The island country holds a special place in his heart.

He was married there after meeting his wife in a moment of serendipity.

‘‘It was interesting how happened,’’ Karalus said.

‘‘When I was ten years old, I figured age 25 was a good age to get married.’’

At age 25, he was working as a house surgeon in Napier when he met Samoan-born Elisapeta.

Six months later, they were married in her home country.

Karalus worked in Samoa for three years after he was married, and now wants to pick up where he left off.

‘‘I actually hope to stimulate them to do some research in the hospital, because their services haven’t changed since I was there in the late seventies, to be fair.

‘‘I’ll hopefully teach medical students, that’s what I’d like to it do,’’ he said.

He has even been bestowed the title of High Chief.

‘‘To get anywhere in Samoa you’ve got to have a title, otherwise you’ve got nothing to say. They won’t listen to you.’’

Karalus and his wife will be travelling back to New Zealand at the end of July.

Karalus worked at Waikato Hospital since 1986, and helped to establish the Waikato Hospital Respiratory Department in the late 1990s.

He helped set up the Waikato Medical Research Foundation, and this month was awarded the Emeritus Award.

Among the attendees celebrating his achievements were a few of Karalus’s children.

He and Peta have nine children, of which six also have medi- cal backgrounds.

Their daughter Rachel has taken over as chair of Kaute Pasifka, a role previously held by her mother, and there is also a veterinarian and a fresh water biologist in the family.

But Karalus wouldn’t call himself proud.

‘‘Pride is one of the seven deadly sins. I am not proud,’’ he said. ‘‘I am blessed.’’