What area of medicine are you in?
Oncology.

Why did you choose this area?
I was inspired by a Christian oncology consultant supervising my final year project and felt a strong sense of calling to the specialty. It also suits my gifts. god opened up lots of doors to get me to where I am today.

What motivates you in your work?
Above all the knowledge that God has called me to it and I am where I am meant to be. I enjoy helping people through a really difficult time, being able to offer the chance of a cure sometimes, but support and care always, even when cure is not an option. Being able to develop world class radiotherapy services for the local population also motivates me.

What does a typical day look like?
Most days have an outpatient clinic where I see patients with cancers of the GI tract. I see new patients and follow ups and monitor patients on chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I spend a good part of my week planning radiotherapy and pursuing my academic interests in radiotherapy quality assurance in clinical trials.

What are the challenges in your workplace?
trying to be Christ-like in the midst of different pressures and busyness. Working with difficult characters from other specialities within the MDT (which I currently lead), rationing of healthcare resources and the challenge of witnessing to patients and colleagues - all opportunities to rely on the lord.

What are the blessings in your workplace?
Working with a group of multidisciplinary professionals within oncology who are striving to do our best for patients. Having good consultant colleagues, many of whom are friends in addition to being colleagues.

I love developing my academic interests and exciting our trainees about the opportunities for research. Most of all, are my patients, the ones I know for many years and the ones I only meet a handful of times. It is a privilege to care for them and get to know them.

Do you have any advice for students currently going through medical school?
Enjoy it, it goes so quickly. be open to what the lord is doing in and through you. Many people are open to the gospel as students, much more than they ever will be after graduation. Make time for meeting with other Christians, especially church. Join CMF and work out how to work out the issues affecting Christians in medicine.