Bio: Maria an expert child and youth health clinician and has contributed to best practice and clinical services through her leadership roles. Maria is currently the clinical director at Health Connections providing specialty primary health care to children and young people. Her clinical and leadership roles have also included: clinical director of the Youth Health Hub, HealthWEST, recipient of the Vodafone World of Difference scholarship for her work in the youth sector, chair of the Society of Youth Health Professionals Aotearoa New Zealand (SYHPANZ), board member of Thrive and national advisory roles. She is also an honorary lecturer with the School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, University of Auckland and a guest lecturer with the School of Nursing, Massey University.

Her specialist topic is:

• Youth health assessment and engagement