ABOUT THE FOUNDATION

The Siaosi Brown Dialysis Foundation (SBDF) is a nonprofit organization established to bring life-saving, culturally responsive dialysis and chronic disease care to the people of Tonga.

Named after the late Siaosi Brown, the best friend of former Chairman and co-founder Rod Emam, the SBDF is the realization of a vision entrusted nearly three decades ago by the late Queen Mother of Tonga, Her Majesty Queen Halaevalu Mata‘aho, to Rod’s father, Dr. Mansoor Emam, requesting that a dialysis center be built for her people. Dr. Emam carried this mission faithfully and later passed responsibility to Rod, who brought together a dedicated team of clinicians, professionals, and community leaders committed to seeing this vision fulfilled. After years of perseverance, the Tonga Dialysis Center is projected to open in April of 2026 in Veitongo, Tongatapu.

The SBFD’s main mission is to ensure the Tonga Dialysis Center is financially viable and sustainable to continue its operations in Tonga.

SBDF lEADERSHIP

  • Chairperson: Victorina Kioa

  • President: Ram Vamanrav

  • Directors: Dr.  Arsalan Habib & Nicole Farrell

  • Treasurer: Sitaram Vamanrav

  • Secretary: Ana Brown

We also acknowledge the continued professional support of our Attorney and Accountant:

  • Attorney: Sterling Olander

  • Accountant: Kap Sikahema

Operations team 

  • Victorina L Kioa – Executive Director – Former CEO, Public Service Commission, Tonga.

  • Dr. Arsalan Habib - Associate Professor of Nephrology at the University of Utah

  • Dr. Mansoor Emam - Co-founder of Hope and Maliheh free clinics in Salt Lake City, Utah 

  • Lynn McMurray (Makamaile) – Retired Law Professor at BYU and a retired Immigration Lawyer

  • Malakai Vakasiuola - Founder of ITS Pacific. Builder of the Center.

  • Christopher Atwater - Director of Technical Operations for Bridge of Life. More than 30 years of experience. With BOL since 2006, has opened more than 40 missions around the world.

  • Chelsea Edmunds – Marketing Specialist, Sydney Australia.

  • Richard Wolfgramm -  Educator, Salt Lake City, Utah.    

Advisors

  • Leafā Tuita Taumoepeau – Tongan Community Leader, San Francisco.

  • Fredric Doss – renal physiologist, Dialysis Educator NZ, Lecturer course coordinator at Auckland University of Technology.

  • Dr Russell Schedlich - Former Director of Medical Services for the Liverpool Hospital

  • Rodnia Emam – Former Chairperson and Founder

  • Steve Kaufusi – Tongan Community Leader, Utah.

  • Tomasi Sitake – Tongan Community Leader, Utah.

  • Joel Tuaileva – Tongan Community Leader, Utah.