RIGS Regional Representatives

RIGS Regional Representatives

Introducing your Regional Representatives

Rawia Ahmed

Rawia Ahmed

Ireland RIGS Regional Representative

rawiamoniem@hotmail.com

My name is Rawia Ahmed and I am currently a fellow in minimal invasive gynaecology surgery in and I am completing my final year in the CESER pathway

The main focus of this fellowship is in benign gynaecology laparoscopy and operative hysteroscopy. Minimal access surgery has revolutionised patient care and is becoming an essential component of gynaecological training.

Throughout the course of my career I have always been heavily involved in teaching and now in my new role as BGSE representative in Ireland I endeavour to help all fellow minimal access surgical trainees in Ireland and improve their participation within the BGSE

Oscar Barnick

Oscar Barnick

Kent, Surrey and Sussex RIGS Regional Representative

oscarbarnick@doctors.org.uk

I am a senior trainee in the KSS deanery, enrolled in the Advanced Laparoscopy ATSM. As a RIGS representative I hope to build upon the excellent foundations laid by my predecessors and improve access to high quality laparoscopic training. I also have experience working with state of the art virtual simulators and I’m really keen to bring things into gynaecology training in KSS. I am friendly, approachable and here to help if you are experiencing issues or want more information about BSGE training opportunities!

 

Jessica Clements

Jessica Clements

Mersey and Northwest RIGS Regional Representative

jessica.clements2@nhs.net

I am currently an ST4 based in Mersey Deanery and have always had a keen interest in laparoscopic surgery. I am passionate about making sure laparoscopic training is accessible to all no matter what unit they are based in.

As RIGS representative I am hoping to make all trainee in North West and Mersey aware of the training opportunities available to them and ensure that trainees wishing to pursue a career in laparoscopic surgery can use their time in training to feel confident in their skills and make themselves employable for their ideal job.

Kate Danby

Kate Danby

North East RIGS Regional Representative

kate.danby@nhs.net

I am an ST5 and very pleased to have been given this opportunity to be RIGS regional representative for the North East of England.

I am a local trainee representative and over the past couple of years I witnessed the profound impact the pandemic was having on surgical training.

As a result, I found alternative resources and training opportunities within my region, including virtual robotic training and the use of the laparoscopic trainers.

I am currently part of a trainee led team that is delivering a surgical simulation training programme at the James Cook Hospital. This programme was designed to try and address the deficit in training and lack of confidence felt by many trainees when operating.

I am really looking forward to my new role and aim to raise awareness amongst trainees as to the training opportunities offered by the BSGE.  Please contact me if you have any queries.

Priyanka Deshmukh

Priyanka Deshmukh

East of England RIGS Regional Representative

deshpriyanka16220@gmail.com

I am currently an ST3 trainee in the East of England. I have been training in the East of England for the last two and half years, two years as a clinical fellow at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and then as an ST3 at James Paget Hospital. I have worked in a big tertiary care unit and also in a district general hospital and am aware of the training needs in these places. Prior to commencing work in the UK, I have completed my training in OBGY from Mumbai, India.

I am passionate about laparoscopy and have been attending various courses since my training days. I have also done a cadaveric course and wish to pursue advanced laparoscopy in the future. Having worked in the East of England extensively, has helped me form a dense network and a good group of friends. I wish to use this experience of mine for the RIGS programme if given the opportunity. I assure that I will make the best use of my resources to help make the programme more visible, approachable and improve engagement from the trainees and the trainers.

Hannah Draper

Hannah Draper

Yorkshire and Humber RIGS Regional Representative

hannahdraper@nhs.net

I will be returning to training as an ST5 in December, having been undertaking a Clinical Research Fellowship with the Castle Hill Endometriosis Centre. I hope to undertake the advanced laparoscopy ATSM.  I have been a member of the BSGE for several years and have greatly benefited from the excellent opportunities that the BSGE offers to trainees. I was fortunate to receive a Clinical Research Grant during my OOP-R to investigate urine biomarkers for endometriosis.

The RIGS Hub national training program is a fantastic initiative, and I am eager to work collaboratively with other representatives to address these challenges, advocate for improvements in training, and facilitate communication between trainees and the RIGS Hub.  I enjoy teaching and training which has led to be being awarded associate fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Jayasish Ghosh

Jayasish Ghosh

West Midlands RIGS Regional Representative

jayghosh@doctors.org.uk

Jay Ghosh is an ST6 O&G trainee at Birmingham Women’s Hospital undertaking the Advanced Laparoscopy and Endometriosis ATSM. He graduated in 2012 from Imperial College London with a BSc in Healthcare management. He moved back to the Midlands for Foundation Programme commencing ST1 in O&G in 2014 at Bham Women’s. After ST3 he undertook a PhD at the University of Birmingham into Risk Factors and Management of Miscarriage funded by Tommy’s the charity at the National Centre for miscarriage research. After rotations at the Bham Women’s, City Hospital Birmingham, Worcester Royal Hospital and Walsall Manor Hospital he commenced his advanced training in 2023. Jay is also very keen on medical leadership and management having been on the RCOG National Trainees’ Committee, Chair of the West Midlands O&G Trainee’s committee and first West Midlands O&G Education rep. He was also the Deputy Chair of the Bham National Trainees’ Conference 2018 and on the RCOG World Congress 2022 organising committee. Jay is passionate about minimal access gynaecological surgery and training.

Ahmed Hefnawy

Ahmed Hefnawy

East Midlands RIGS Regional Representative

ahmedhefnawy2015@gmail.com

I am currently working as an ST3 at Nottingham University Hospitals, within the East Midlands North deanery. I am passionate about minimal invasive gynaecologic surgery and gynaecologic cancer. I have completed a gynaecologic oncology clinical research fellowship at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, the United States and several short-term fellowships at the Christie Cancer Center, the United Kingdom, Groote Schuur Hospital, South Africa, Polyclinico Gemelli, Italy and King Hussein Cancer Center, Kingdom of Jordan. I am a Union of International Cancer Control (UICC) Young leaders program alumni and the AORTIC African Cancer Leaders Institute (ACLI) alumni.

Minimal Invasive Surgery is an essential component of gynaecological surgical training. Many factors in recent years have impacted minimal invasive gynaecological surgical training, including COVID-19. Improving surgical training will improve patient safety and efficiency and ensure a brilliant future generation of skilled gynaecology consultants.

Khushboo Kandhari

Khushboo Kandhari

Wales RIGS Regional Representative

dr.khushbookandhari@gmail.com

I am currently working as ST4 in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the Wales Deanery.  I am passionate about laparoscopic surgery and aspire to be a consultant practising advanced laparoscopic surgery in future.  Besides laparoscopic surgery, with a keen interest in medical education, I have pursued and completed PG Diploma in medical education.

Having experience of working both in North and South Wales regions, I truly believe I can represent, inculcate team spirit and bring enthusiasm among my fellow Welsh trainees, and positively support them in their journey for learning minimal access gynaecologic surgery.   I will make sure positive feedback is highlighted and the concerns are heard and addressed effectively, to nurture a healthy learning environment.

Besides learning laparoscopy surgery, I also look forward to using this opportunity to form new friends, share with and learn from others, and network with the other BSGE representatives. This will certainly help me to enhance my personality and gravitate towards the goal of training in advanced laparoscopy. I am confident that this position will facilitate me to add essence to training in Wales Deanery and be instrumental in my journey to becoming a fully trained laparoscopic surgeon.

Juneida Khodabocus

Juneida Khodabocus

Wessex RIGS Regional Representative

june_khoda@hotmail.com

I am currently an ST5 trainee in Basingstoke Hospital in the Wessex deanery. My interests are fibroid and endometriosis surgery, including both laparoscopic and open. I am aiming to do the benign gynaecology ATSM. A BSGE member since ST1, I am well-versed with the society’s ethos. I have just completed the National RIGS Laparoscopy Training programme, which was a real boost to training during the covid pandemic.

Laparoscopic surgery is undeniably becoming the gold standard and a good foundation is key. Rotating through the units and speaking to my colleagues highlighted the varied training opportunities across Wessex. There is a real need to promote minimal-access training from ST1 level itself. As RIGS Regional Representative, I look forward to facilitate communication between the BSGE and the trainees aiming to help improve the system.

Fiona Learmonth

Fiona Learmonth

West of Scotland RIGS Regional Representative

dr.fl@outlook.com

I am currently an ST4 working within the West of Scotland deanery. From the commencement of my training, I’ve had a keen interest in minimally invasive gynaecological surgery. I am passionate about medical education and have undertaken formal simulation training. Particularly over the past few years, when surgical exposure has been so adversely affected, laparoscopic simulation has played a vital role in allowing me to continue to develop my technical skills, and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to promote the RIGS programme to fellow trainees, alongside the many other fantastic training opportunities that BSGE has to offer.

Courtney McMullan

Courtney McMullan

Northern Ireland RIGS Regional Representative

joshcmcmullan@doctors.org.uk

I am currently an ST5 in Northern Ireland and am based in Belfast City Hospital. I am very pleased to have been given this opportunity to represent Northern Ireland as the RIGS regional representative. I am currently working as a postgraduate education fellow at NIMDTA and as part of this I have developed a regional laparoscopic simulation programme to help combat the training challenges faced following COVID-19.

I am the NIMDTA O+G trainee representative and am very passionate about training and teaching. I will be commencing ATSMs this August in Gynae-Oncology and Vulval disease. BSGE has played an integral part to my gynaecological training so far and I look forward to introducing others to these opportunities.

Lauren McRoberts

Lauren McRoberts

East of Scotland RIGS Regional Representative

lmcroberts2103@gmail.com

I am an ST4 in the East of Scotland with a keen interest in all aspects of minimal access surgery and treatment of benign disease.

As a trainee representative for my deanery, I have a clear awareness of the challenges of training and access to surgical opportunities especially during the Covid pandemic. My hope is to help develop laparoscopic simulation training and provide better access to training opportunities for colleagues in my region.

Benedetto Mondelli

Benedetto Mondelli

Kent, Surrey, Sussex RIGS Regional Representative

bene151286@gmail.com

I am an ST5 trainee, currently undertaking a clinical research fellowship in endometriosis and minimally invasive surgery. I will be starting the ATSM in advanced laparoscopy (benign disease) in October.

I am passionate about minimal access surgery, in particular chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis.

I have been a BSGE member since 2018 and as RIGS regional rep, I look forward to supporting my colleagues who are interested in minimal access surgery.

I will also aim to increase the involvement of the trainees in the society.

Fiona Reidy

Fiona Reidy

Ireland RIGS Regional Representative

fireidy@yahoo.com

I am currently a Fellow in Complex Benign Gynaecology at Tallaght University Hospital in Dublin. I have completed the Higher Specialist Training scheme in Ireland, working in several units around the country. During my training I also completed a Clinical Research Fellowship in Merrion Fertility Clinic at the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin.

My special interests are endometriosis and infertility. As RIGS regional rep for Ireland I hope to support trainees in Ireland and help provide more opportunities for training and learning in minimal access surgery.

Sophie Strong

Sophie Strong

London RIGS Regional Representative

sophiestrong@nhs.net

I am an St5 trainee in the North Central & East London Deanery. I am passionate about minimally invasive gynaecological surgery and wish to become a specialist in managing endometriosis and fibroids. My ethos of ensuring women with chronic pelvic pain are listened to, having a holistic approach and developing excellent surgical skills to operate safely on these complex patients is essential to me.

As a RIGS regional representative, I aim to bridge the gap between London trainees and the BSGE. Please get in touch if you would like information about accessing local simulation training / box-trainers, which allow for development of necessary psychomotor skills ahead of precious operating theatre opportunities.

I am friendly, approachable and here to help if you are experiencing issues or want more information about BSGE training opportunities. RIGS is an excellent platform to speak with other like-minded trainees interested in Gynaecological Endoscopy across the UK.

Sarah Wali

Sarah Wali

London RIGS Regional Representative

sarah.wali@doctors.org.uk

I am currently a ST5 trainee in Northwest London. My main interests are endometriosis and fibroids and I hope to achieve an endometriosis fellowship and register for the ATSM in advanced laparoscopic surgery for the excision of benign disease.

I have been attending the BSGE conference throughout my training years presenting oral, video and poster presentations on topics of interest to an engaged and friendly audience. I find the environment of the conference energetic and the interaction with colleagues with similar interests highly enjoyable.

I am a practical and hands on person and strive to promote the excellent training opportunities that BSGE has to offer to colleagues in my deanery.

Hassan Zeinah

Hassan Zeinah

South West RIGS Regional Representative

hassanzeinah@gmail.com

I am currently an ST5 in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. I have been committed to pursuing a career in minimally invasive gynaecological surgery at the time of my application for specialty training.

I have always been proactive in improving access to training opportunities. In my ST4 year in Exeter, I have founded a regional gynaecology simulation network for gynaecology endoscopy training in Peninsula deanery (PAGES – Peninsula Association of Gynaecology Endoscopy Simulation) and submitted our work to be presented for the RCOG world congress in June 2023. Through PAGES network, intermediate and advanced laparoscopy courses were arranged regionally for trainees throughout 2023. Additionally, my role involved coordinating with trainees in other units in the deanery to arrange local teaching and training sessions.

I am truly passionate about optimising training in gynecological surgery and establishing the existing link between trainees in the South West and BSGE.