Our team

Dr Emily Yassaie

Emily is a Plastic, Reconstructive and Craniofacial Surgeon with extensive experience in conditions affecting the face. Of Pacific descent, she grew up in Fiji and Dunedin before attending Otago medical school. 

Emily has travelled the country and the world with her husband and three children to further her surgical education. While overseas, she was inspired by charities supporting those with a visible difference. In her work, she is reminded daily of the limited access to information, support networks, and research opportunities for this community in New Zealand.

Emily is dedicated to improving quality of life, she founded this charity to improve taha hinengaro (mental and emotional wellbeing) and taha whānau (family and social wellbeing) for a group whom often only the physical (taha tinana) effects are considered.