Amy was born and brought up in South Wales and completed her undergraduate medical degree in Cardiff University in 2016 also receiving an intercalated BSc degree in Clinical Epidemiology.

Amy completed her Foundation Training in South Wales before taking a year away from training to work as an Emergency Department Clinical Development Fellow in the Royal Gwent Hospital for 6 months and then travelling South America, India and Myanmar for six months. Following this break, Amy started Paediatrics training in South Wales and is now a Paediatric Registrar, having just finished her ST4 training year.

Throughout medical school and postgraduate training, Amy has had a keen interest in medical education and quality improvement, having completed recent projects introducing the Vocera communication system into a tertiary NICU and developing a guideline of radiological follow up imaging for children with brain tumours. Amy has held multiple leadership roles including Wales Deanery MRCPCH clinical exam teaching lead and hopes to develop these skills over the coming 12 months.

Outside work, Amy lives is a keen traveller who uses every opportunity to explore more of the world. She also enjoys going to the gym, musical theatre, photography, trying new restaurants and long walks with her 3-year-old labradoodle, Luna.

Amy is excited to embark upon the new and challenging opportunity of working as a Welsh Clinical Leadership Training Fellow. Amy’s work will involve continuing to develop and establish the Junior Doctor Forum set up by a previous WCLTF whilst also developing a simulation training programme that aims to improve patient safety and improve quality of care provided to patients.

I achieved my undergraduate degree in Optometry and Vision Sciences at Cardiff University in 2004, before completing my pre-registration year and qualifying the following year.

Since qualifying, I have continued to work as a community optometrist in primary care practices across South Wales as both resident and locum.

I obtained EHEW postgraduate accreditation soon after qualifying, which has enabled me to provide enhanced optometric care and management of acute eye problems in the community. I also provided Low vision assessments within the community from approximately 2007 to 2012.

I have recently successfully completed an ILM level 5 Coaching and Mentoring course. Outside of work, I like to run, hike, weight train and travel with my family.

I am excited to join HEIW as the optometric WCLTF for 2023/2024. I am looking forward to my project and developing my leadership skills that will hopefully enable me to drive quality of eyecare in Wales.

Francesca is a specialty trainee in Haematology in South Wales. She graduated from Oxford University in 2011 after gaining a BA (Hons) degree from Cambridge University in Preclinical Medical Studies in 2008. She completed her foundation training in the North West Thames Deanery before working in Perth, Western Australia for two years. Francesca returned to core medical training in the Severn Deanery. She moved to South Wales to undertake her Haematology training in 2017 where she has thoroughly enjoyed living and working since.

Francesca has been involved in quality improvement throughout her medical career including reviewing and updating the Standard Operating Procedure for blood film referral in the haematology laboratory. She has presented some of her work at international conferences and has authored a review article on FLT-3 inhibitor use in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in a peer-reviewed journal.

Research is something very important to Francesca, in particular clinical trials. She has been an active investigator for many trials, particularly during her year as a Haematology Clinical Fellow at the Clinical Research Facility in the University Hospital of Wales. She was invited to present cases from her work at the 62nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the British Society for Haematology in 2022. To develop her leadership skills in clinical trials further she completed the Junior Investigator Network Group Training the Next Generation course.

Francesca aspires to be a consultant with an active role in clinical trials and having strong leadership skills will be essential to this. She very much looks forward to developing new skills during her time working on her project in improving junior doctors’ experience of work in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

Geraint is an Advanced Clinical Pharmacist specialising in HIV & Homecare in Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.

Geraint studied Pharmacy at Aston University in Birmingham, graduating in 2014 and qualifying after undertaking his pre-registration year with LloydsPharmacy. After working as a Pharmacist Manager in Croesyceiliog in Cwmbran for a year, Geraint decided to return to university, choosing to undertake a Post-Graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy with the University of Manchester via distance learning. Keen to develop and apply his knowledge in a hospital environment, Geraint accepted a Clinical Pharmacist post with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, working mainly on the surgical and acute medical admission wards.

In 2019, an exciting opportunity arose to grow the Homecare Service within the Health Board, which also involved working within the Integrated Sexual Health Service. Keen to educate and reduce the stigma associated, Geraint has been involved in projects and funding to seek novel ways of educating healthcare professionals and the general public on blood-borne viruses.

Outside of work, Geraint is usually being pestered by his miniature dachshund, Lenny. He’s also enjoys going to the gym, is involved in the management of a local football team, Caerphilly Athletic Football Club and ‘enjoys’ watching Cardiff City Football Club.

My name is Hannah and I studied dentistry in King’s College London, graduating in 2020. I was born in South Korea but moved to Cardiff I was three months old and lived there until moving to London for university. I thoroughly enjoyed my student life in London but also missed my home in Wales, so came back to do my foundation training.

I completed my DFT in the Port Talbot Dental Teaching unit and completed a DCT1 in the restorative department for six months at Cardiff Dental Hospital and oral & maxillofacial department in Prince Charles Hospital and Royal Glamorgan Hospital for the latter six months. Following this, I stayed on as an oral surgery DCT2 in the maxillofacial department in Prince Charles Hospital. During my training, I have completed my MFDS exams with RCPS Glasgow and I am currently on the Dental Trainees’ Committee with the college. I am also currently undergoing training in conscious sedation in dentistry.

Outside work, I love spending time with family (especially my cat) and friends and enjoy exploring new restaurants and trying out new dishes!

This year, I will be working with the dental department in HEIW working on Developing Dental Core Training Post options for enhanced training uptake in Wales. I am looking forward to developing my leadership and management skills and am excited to help influence and shape the future for future dental graduates.

Jack completed a Bachelor of Science in Human Biosciences at Plymouth University in 2012 and enrolled on the Scientist Training Programme (STP) in 2017, specialising in audiology. He trained at Swansea Bay University Health Board (SB UHB) and undertook a Masters of Science in Clinical Science (Neurosensory Sciences) accredited by The University of Manchester. Jack completed his STP training in 2020 registering with the Health & Care Professions Council. His clinical duties as a Clinical Scientist at SB UHB include Advanced Audiology Practitioner within Primary Care, Adult Aural Rehabilitation, and Paediatric Audiology.

Jack is an active member of the British Academy of Audiology (BAA) and passionate about promoting research and learning opportunities within this field. He has worked as part of the BAA Early Professional team and recently became the joint BAA Regional Rep for Wales. Jack has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at National Conferences, receiving the BAA David Bagley award in 2022 for his MSc manuscript later published in the BMJ Open.

Jack is looking forward to working closely with the Wales Audiology Heads of Service Group and the Welsh Government Sensory Policy Team to deliver a project aligned with the Framework of Action for Wales for people who are D/deaf or living with hearing loss. In his spare time, he enjoys exploring the Gower with his family, socialising with friends, eating out and watching live music.

Jonathan is a Neurology Registrar in Wales. After graduating from Cardiff University in 2014 he completed Foundation training and Core Medical training in hospitals across South Wales. Following this he undertook a Clinical Fellow post with a research project focussed on Multiple Sclerosis, and shared responsibility for delivery of the Cardiff Undergraduate Neurosciences teaching programme. During this year, the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the planned programme of work, and required a balance of time between the return to frontline clinical work and continuation of research and teaching responsibilities. This experience through the pandemic demonstrated the importance of effective leadership across these different settings.

He commenced his Neurology training programme in 2020 and hopes to stay in Wales once qualified as a Consultant. He is currently the Neurology trainee representative on the Specialist Training Committee (STC). Recently this has focussed on the challenges of implementing the Shape of Training review proposals.

During his HEIW Leadership Fellowship, he will be working with the All Wales Medical Genomics Service (AWMGS) to promote the adoption of genomic testing by ‘mainstream’ (non-specialist) healthcare professionals at an earlier stage in the patient pathway. This aims to allow patients to benefit from advances in precision medicine and, where appropriate, to enable them to share relevant information with their family members.

I am a seasoned Modern Matron with 22+ years of nursing experience, including 18 years in leadership roles. My nursing journey began in 1996 with Midwifery studies, followed by a Nursing diploma, a degree in Occupational Health Practice, and a PGD in Public Health. My commitment lies in promoting employees' and patients' well-being, safety, and clinical governance, with a focus on quality services.

Having worked across the NHS and Private sector, including 15 years in the Oil and Gas industry, I've honed my emotional intelligence and effective leadership, fostering strong communication. I embrace a servant and transformational leadership style, aiming to motivate, advocate, drive change, and support my team and service users.

As I embark on this fellowship program, my goal is not only self-improvement but collaborating with like-minded professionals to enhance NHS services' quality across NHS Wales and beyond, starting with Hywel Dda and BCUHB.

Mark is a musculoskeletal physiotherapist. He initially graduated in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of Exeter. During his undergraduate degree Mark developed a passion for sports injuries and rehabilitation and consequently completed a MSc in physiotherapy at Kings College London.

Mark started his physiotherapy career in 2007 in Guys and St Thomas Hospitals. He gained valuable experience across all specialities during his junior rotations and went on to specialise in musculoskeletal physiotherapy while in London. In 2010, Mark moved to Wales with his wife. He continued to work as a senior musculoskeletal physiotherapist, first in Anuerin Bevan and then Cardiff and Vale Health Board.

In Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Mark has continued to develop his expertise and has delivered specialist orthopaedic triage clinics and first contact physiotherapy in GP surgeries. Mark has continued to develop professionally throughout his career and completed MSc modules in injection therapy, non medical prescribing and transformational Leadership.

During the past 18 months, Mark has been seconded into the Principal Physiotherapist role. In this role Mark has started to develop skills in strategic and operational leadership. His focus has been on delivering patient focused care within the musculoskeletal healthcare pathway. Completion of MSc modules in transformational leadership in healthcare has developed Marks passion for compassionate leadership in the NHS.

He is excited to develop this further during the next years fellowship. In his spare time, Mark is busy with his young family. When he is not busy with his family he enjoys watching sport and completing DIY projects.

Mark is looking forward to working with HEIW on a project working towards a more sustainable NHS. Alongside this he looks forward to developing his leadership skills. Mark wants to use these skills to help lead and deliver change for an improved NHS in the future.

Patryk Poniatowski is a pharmacist who began his healthcare journey in Poland, graduating from one of the leading medical universities. His career path led him to England, where he honed his skills as a community pharmacist. In 2016, he transitioned into the dynamic environment of hospital pharmacy, moving to South Wales in 2018 to take up his role at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital.

During the Covid pandemic, he embraced a new challenge at Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda Hospital, focusing on clinical areas such as stroke and care for the elderly. His commitment to patient welfare and proficiency in pharmaceutical care allowed him to publish an article in the Pharmaceutical Journal about his work and qualify as an Independent Prescriber. In this capacity, he has collaborated closely with the neurological movement disorder team and has been involved in patient care during movement disorder clinics.

Passionate about lifelong learning and education, Patryk joined the NHS111 team and undertook a part-time role as an associate course director for the Clinical Diploma postgraduate course at Cardiff University in 2022. Always keen to innovate, he is intent on integrating cutting-edge technologies into everyday practice, developing skills in Python programming, large language model technologies, and machine learning. His goal is to optimize resources without compromising patient safety.

This year, Patryk is focusing on a project to implement electronic prescribing systems in secondary care. He aims to improve the user experience for healthcare professionals, bridge the communication gap between IT and healthcare providers, and ultimately enhance patient care.

Away from his professional pursuits, Patryk is an avid hiker and competitive swimmer, relishing in exploring new landscapes and pushing his boundaries in the pool.

Rachel James is a registered adult nurse who graduated from Swansea University in 2011. Since qualifying Rachel has worked in acute medicine across South Wales and trained as a nurse practitioner specialising in acute oncology. Rachel studied at Cardiff University whilst working at Velindre Cancer Centre to gain post graduate diploma in advanced practice and qualified as an independent prescriber.

In 2022 Rachel received the Chief Nursing Officer award for excellence for her work on acute kidney injuries in Velindre Cancer Centre and was a member of the nurse practitioner team to receive the Moon Dance innovation award.

Rachel has developed a passion for leadership through her role as lead nurse practitioner for acute oncology in Swansea Bay University Health Board and is excited to be joining Health Education and Improvement Wales for the fellowship. Rachel will be focusing on the development and testing of a methodology to measure the impact of the retention plan for nursing.

Rachel lives near Bridgend but spends most summer weekends in Pembrokeshire with her husband and youngest daughter attempting to learn to sail, enjoying coasteering and anything to do with getting wet!

Sarah is a Rheumatology and General Internal Medicine speciality registrar, currently training in South Wales. She gained her medical degree from the University of Birmingham and moved to Wales after completing foundation training. She fell in love with the sea, mountains and communities of Wales and has happily made it her home over the last 8 years. Outside of work Sarah enjoys hiking, kayaking and is currently trying to improve her kitesurfing skills!

Sarah has a true passion for medical education. She enjoyed studying educational theory through Cardiff University and was awarded the directors prize and a distinction in the diploma of Medical Education in 2019. Sarah developed her interest in education further by undertaking a two-year fellowship in medical education, prior to entering speciality training. Through this role she developed an “on-call simulation project” for final year medical students, aiming to increase the clinical confidence of final year medical students prior to being on-call. The project won first prize at the Society of Physicians Wales and at the Royal College of Physicians-SoPW conferences in 2019.

Sarah thrives working as a clinical leader and enjoys supporting junior team members as a medical registrar. She advocates for her peers nationally as the Welsh rheumatology training representative. She is excited to further her practical and academic experience of leadership prior to reaching consultancy. She looks forward to representing trainees within the HEIW senior management team whilst working on projects to improve the experience and wellbeing of doctors in training.

I am a Renal Specialist Registrar training in South Wales. I grew up in Gibraltar and moved to the UK to start my medical degree at the University of Birmingham. During my degree, I took time out to complete an intercalated BSc in Physiology from Kings College London.

I graduated in 2013 and started my Foundation Training as a doctor at Glan Clwyd Hospital in North Wales. Getting to explore North Wales during that year helped me fall in love with the Welsh culture, beaches & landscape and I have since embraced Wales as my home away from home.

I have taken an active role in leading quality improvement projects, notably in Glangwili Hospital where I worked with my Stroke ward team to evaluate our performance in recognising and managing stroke patients acutely. This led to us updating the local the thrombolysis protocol and re-writing both the medical clerking & stroke proformas.

During this academic year we also developed an online clerking system with our IT department to improve the confidentiality of the patient information we were recording, help to improve the time efficiency for the on call team & by-pass the risk of losing paper lists.

I started specialty training in Nephrology in August 2020 at UHW and have been working at Morriston hospital since August 2021. I have been responsible for delivering a weekly lecture about Acute Kidney Injury to the Swansea University Medical Students and am involved in reviewing the Wales AKI guidelines.

This fellowship will allow me to look at how comfortable healthcare staff are in managing patients with AKI, help to improve their confidence & also provide support by creating an in-reach AKI service. This we hope will allow patients with an AKI to be identified earlier & improve their outcomes both in hospital and with follow up after discharge.

Away from work, I read a lot about history & politics. I regularly attend jazz nights & weekly pub quizzes in Swansea. I am an avid gym-goer & runner, working towards completing my first triathlon next year. I also enjoy playing both cricket & tennis. During lockdown I developed an interest in photography and enjoy taking landscape photographs whilst on hikes as well as photographing the night sky.

Tom Fallon is a Physiotherapist, graduating from Plymouth University in 2014. Starting his career working in the East Midlands, Tom worked in a variety of specialities throughout core rotations, before finding a passion for working in Critical Care. He moved to West Wales in 2017, took on a senior role in Critical Care and is currently working as Clinical Lead in Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen.

Tom has strong interest in ensuring safe tracheostomy care and high-quality rehabilitation for critical care patients. He has led service improvement projects implementing the use of rehabilitation prescriptions and MDT meetings to support the provision of rehab for critical care patients. He also represents Hywel Dda UHB on the rehab and follow up group of the Wales Critical Care Network, contributing towards the development of the national service specification for rehabilitation.

Tom is intrigued by the huge influence leadership can have on all aspects of clinical practice. He therefore joined the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy’s Leadership Development Programme and completed an MSc module in Leadership for Allied Health Professions. He has utilised the skills developed to promote the work of AHP’s in Critical Care and feels strongly about how essential the AHP workforce is in healthcare.

This year, Tom is very much looking forward to joining Hywel Dda UHB to look at transforming clinical services to support the delivery of a Healthier Mid & West Wales.

Outside of work, Tom can be found spending time with his wife, daughter and dog exploring the Pembrokeshire Coast or competing in a Triathlon with his local club.

Yousuf is a General Surgery Speciality trainee in Wales. He graduated from Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry in 2014 where he also completed an iBSc in Sports and Exercise medicine. After graduating he returned back home and has worked across South Wales as a foundation doctor, core surgical trainee and now as registrar.

Yousuf has a keen interest in Quality Improvement. He worked as part of the team involved with the Royal College of Surgeons CholeQuIC project in its first and third iterations whilst at Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend.

During his leadership fellowship with HEIW Yousuf’s project is climate smart and sustainable healthcare. He looks forward to getting involved with projects in helping to meet the ambitious goal for net zero carbon emissions with NHS Wales by 2030.

Outside of work Yousuf enjoys spending time with his family walking their dog. He is a passionate sports fan, particularly rugby – following the Lions to Australia and New Zealand in 2013 and 2017.

Zoe is a neonatal subspecialty trainee in her last year of postgraduate training in South Wales.

Zoe completed her undergraduate medical degree at Bristol University in 2009 before returning to her home in South Wales to start work as a junior doctor. She has worked in various roles across the different hospitals in South Wales but found her passion in Neonatal Medicine. It combined her love of physiology with her desire to help families at a challenging time in their lives.

Zoe wishes to become a Neonatal Consultant in South Wales. Within this role she wishes to expand her interest in neonatal nutrition. Zoe has recently worked with the British Association of Perinatal Medicine compiling a framework for the use of donor human milk across the U.K. She is currently undertaking a QIP ensuring all preterm babies receive early colostrum within six hours of age. This is one of the national Periprem Cymru goals and is being implemented across Wales.

As a consultant Zoe wishes to be the best leader she can be, supporting her team to deliver the highest standard of care. She is delighted to become a Welsh Clinical Leadership Fellow where she can learn and develop some of the essential skills needed to do this.

Zoe will be working with Digital Health and Improvement Wales within the maternity service. As a network, collaborative working across the perinatal team is becoming paramount to achieving the best outcomes for mothers, babies and their families. Zoe believes this service should be equitable across the county and transparent for all users, giving expectant parents an understanding of the service we offer.