Royal Surrey surgeon chosen to join the Healthcare Leadership Academy | News

A surgeon from Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust has been selected to join the Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA) Scholars programme, which develops healthcare leaders of the future.

After completing a rigorous selection process, Senior Clinical Research Fellow in Robotic Gynaecological Oncology Christina Uwins has joined the academy’s cohort for the 2021/22 academic year.

Founded in 2016, the HLA scholarship recognises healthcare students and professionals with proven leadership ability and gives them the opportunity to take their leadership skills to the next level.

The HLA aims to inspire and support healthcare students and professionals to change the world of healthcare through leadership, one small step at a time.

Christina has designed and coordinated MIRRORS (Robotic Surgery for Advanced ovarian cancer): a prospective cohort feasibility study from its conception, through to study implementation and now successful completion of recruitment at Royal Surrey under the supervision of Mr Simon Butler-Manuel and Dr Agnieszka Michael and Prof Simon Skene. She was awarded the NIHR CRN KSS Greenshoots fellowship award and a GRACE charity grant, which has funded her clinical research.

Christina said:

“I am so grateful for the opportunities that come from being part of the HLA. I’m looking forward to working with the HLA and excited to move MIRRORS on to the next step”

The HLA was formed in response to demand from young clinicians and medical students to learn about leadership. Speaking about this year’s cohort, Johann Malawana, Director of the HLA, said:

“After a rigorous and competitive application process, with over 1,800 people starting the application process, we are delighted to welcome Christina Uwins to our 2021-2022 scholars.

“The pandemic has reinforced the need for leaders who inspire, listen and care. At a time of great global challenge, it is important that the next generation of healthcare leaders are motivated, inspired, and prepared in order to best look after the populations they serve.

“We look forward to seeing what this generation of scholars achieve with the platform they are given through the HLA and its community.”

As part of their role, scholars are expected to develop a community project over the course of the one-year programme, with previous projects having reached national prominence, winning prizes, publications and presentations at national events including at the House of Lords.