SPEAKERS
Dr Sam Thenabadu
MBBS MRCP DRCOG DCH MA Clin Ed FCEM MSc (Paed) FEHA FAcadMEdEd E-MBA
Consultant in Adult & Paediatric Emergency Medicine
Sam is an inspiring graduate of King’s College London, who completed dual training in Adult & Paediatric Emergency Medicine London before becoming a consultant at the Princess Royal University Hospital in 2011!
With multiple Masters’ degrees in Clinical Medical Education, Advanced Paediatrics, and an executive MBA, he is on a mission to revolutionise medical education.
As the programme director at GKT School of Medicine, he plays a crucial role in shaping an innovative curriculum at one of the UK's largest medical schools!
Since2015, he's been the lead doctor for the iconic London Olympic Stadium, managing thrilling events like Premier League Football and the Rugby World Cup for crowds of up to 90,000 fans!
Beyond his impressive clinical work, Sam is a passionate advocate for paediatric care, emphasising that "children are not just small adults." He has 12 textbooks published in peer-reviewed journals, and presented at national conferences, all while being a proud EM physician and educator.
Above all, he treasures his role as a father to two amazing boys and a baby girl, who inspire him daily and remind him of life’s true priorities!
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Dr Michael Akinfala
Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon
Dr. Michael Akinfala is an esteemed Orthopaedic Resident Surgeon at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, where he specializes in trauma and knee surgery.
With a strong presence both nationally and internationally, he has contributed to scientific journals and is a co-founder of MedBridge UK.
Known online as @tiktokorthodoc - Dr. Akinfala shares valuable medical insights while mentoring aspiring doctors through his Harmony CIC access-to-medicine programs. His dedication to education innovation makes him a prominent figure in the field of orthopaedics.
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Nicole Lee
LSEBN Network Manager / Chair of the British Burns Association
Nicole began her career in Burns in 2008 as a band 5 staff nurse working within the Burns ITU looking after the burn injured patients requiring multi organ support. I moved into a senior band 6 position after completion of my burns and ITU education. I then became the Clinical Facilitator / Senior Sister in charge of burns education for the St Andrews Burns Centre with an interest in simulation training, I supported Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) with different simulation training courses. In 2019 I took on the lead nurse for the London and South East Burns Network (LSEBN) supporting the nursing voice and leading the burns nursing forum in regional burns care delivery.
I remain with a keen interest in burns education and Co-chair of the Advanced Burns Module for University of East Anglia (UEA) and support overseas education with projects in multiple countries. During COVID I supported the London Nightingale for both openings supporting a quick pace change model of care. I moved on to the Burns Matron role in 2020 at Queen Victoria Hospital and then moved on to the Burns Matron in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in 2021 following missing the larger burn injured patients. In September 2024 I moved on to the London and south east burns network manager.
I am Board member of the British Association of Critical Care Nurses (BACCN) where I represent the board in European federation of Critical Care Nurses Association (EfCCNa) and British Burns Association (BBA). I moved in to the Chair of BBA in august 2024 as the first nurse within the Chair role.
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Dr Christian Asher
Specialist Registrar in Plastic Surgery
Christian Asher is a specialist registrar in plastic surgery. He has trained across the UK; London, Manchester and is currently based in the East of England.
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He is keen on training and access to simulation training both onsite and online, running the surgical education company MedSync. They house a huge bank of skills videos on their website medsyncltd.com/skills but also across YouTube, Instagram and Tik Tok: Suturing & Surgical Skills
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Dr Varun Kumar
MBBS, MBA (Lond), FRSPH
GP Registrar
Varun is a Resident Doctor with an MBA (Lond) and a passion for Dermatology and healthcare innovation.
Varun completed his Dermatology Medical Elective Internship at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, University of Sydney and held the Rod Flower Research Scholarship, which supported Psoriasis research at Manchester University.
As a Council member of the Royal Society of Medicine, Varun collaborated with healthcare leaders to tackle key industry issues. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he led national research initiatives on crisis management as an Associate of the NHS Clinical Leaders Network.
Varun's presentations at national and international conferences have focused on topics such as AI applications in Dermatology, skin conditions in Skin of colour and optimizing community surgery delivery outcomes.
Varun is passionate about merging healthcare and innovation to enhance patient outcomes through strategic partnerships and evidence-based practice.
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Dr Stella Hornby
MA (Cantab) MB BChir FRCOphth MD
Consultant in Ophthalmology
Dr. Stella Hornby is a Consultant Ophthalmologist with over 30 years of experience in Urgent Eye Care and Primary Care Ophthalmology.
As the Clinical Lead for the Eye Emergency Department and a former Clinical Director of the Oxford Eye Hospital, she has dedicated her career to improving eye health and safety.
Dr. Hornby is passionate about ophthalmic education, having organised numerous training courses for GPs, Pharmacists, Emergency Practitioners, and NHS 111.
Her pragmatic and practical approach to ophthalmology sets her apart in the field.
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Inmaculada Diaz Alonso
Advanced Clinical Practitioner | Senior Lecturer
Inmaculada (Inma) is a Senior Lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University, serving as the Course Director for Non-Medical Prescribing while also supporting the MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice.
With a robust background in emergency, urgent, and critical care, she has dedicated her career clinical teaching and supervision, previously taking on roles in practice development and clinical leadership.
In addition to her academic responsibilities, Inma works part-time as Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Primary Care. Qualifications include an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice and a PgCert in Academic Practice, and she is also UK Advanced Life Support instructor.
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Naomi Kennett
Mental Health Advanced Clinical Practitioner
Naomi is an Advanced Clinical Practitioner specialising in mental health within Primary Care. With 15 years of experience as a mental health nurse, she has worked across various settings, from inpatient wards to corporate clinical transformation.
Passionate about patient care, Naomi believes that Primary Care clinicians play a vital role in supporting individuals facing mental health challenges, often serving as their first point of contact.
Her clinical focus centre's on managing complex cases and navigating the intricacies of acute mental health presentations.
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Katharine Forwood
Paediatric Advanced Clinical Practitioner
Katharine has 26 years of experience as a paediatric nurse and 14 of those in a Children's Advanced Clinical Practitioner role, She has a strong commitment to delivering high-quality care in acute paediatrics.
Katharine's background includes working on inpatient wards, in the Children's Assessment Unit, and within the UTC environment, which provides her with a comprehensive understanding of family needs.
Katharine is dedicated to sharing her expertise to foster the development of individuals and teams, also finding joy in engaging with children through both clinical skills and playful distraction techniques. Outside of her professional commitments, she enjoys running and spending time with her cats.
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