AMPED ascended from a USA based association, the Surfers Medical Association (SMA), founded in 1986. SMA consisted mostly of American medicos and a few Australians who collaborated to run medical conferences and assist community run health clinics in Fiji.
The success of the Fijian experience inspired the Australians to form their own chapter, SMA-Australia. In 1995, the first conference was held at a small run-down island in the Maldives known as Tari Village (Kanuhuraa).
Tari Village was a perfectly located, being 13km by boat from the capital Malé, and within 10 minutes of two island communities, Himmafushi and Huraa. Both villages had community run health care centres that were poorly equipped and funded. After gaining permission from the Village Chiefs, several our doctors and paramedics chose to volunteer some of their time to visit both clinics. On subsequent visits, AMPED donated much needed equipment and spent time enhancing the staff’s knowledge. We continue to visit the clinics, and after 25 years of ongoing support the clinics are thriving.
In 2012, the name was officially changed from SMA to AMPED Emergency & Medical Conferences (Affiliated Medical Professionals for Education and Development), to reflect the true core objectives of our organisation.
Since 1995, AMPED have organised over 75 conferences in amazing locations such as Japan, the Maldives, West Timor, Telos Islands, PNG, and New Zealand. Our conferences have stablished a reputation for attracting high-profile presenters. Please see our past programs and speakers.
Today, many of the original organisers and convenors still attend and assist with running the conferences.
