Leadership programme alumni reunite at Royal College

24 Aug 2023

The alumni of a flagship leadership programme returned to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow at a special evening celebration this week to meet the newest cohort of scholars.

The Leadership Development Scholarship Programme – a joint initiative between the College and the University of Glasgow – was established in 2019 by Professor Jackie Taylor, then President of the College, and Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak, Regius Professor of Medicine at the University of Glasgow and Scotland’s Chief Scientist (Health).

Since that time, the programme has provided 20 talented clinicians and academics with bespoke leadership learning and training to support them in the next chapter of their careers. On the final day of this year’s programme, participants from each year gathered together at the College.

Stephan Dreyer, Surgical Registrar and Clinical Lecturer in General Surgery at the University of Glasgow, said: “It’s been a very exciting and interesting course spread over a few months, with a combination of mentorship skills and leadership skills.

“What I really enjoyed about the course is it’s based on experiences and self-reflection, and enabling us to share ideas between each other, and also learning from really experienced and esteemed senior colleagues. It’s been extremely enjoyable.”

Jodie Hay, Research Associate at the University of Glasgow, said: “The programme is an excellent opportunity to network and engage with people across different fields and different environments who all face similar challenges. It’s a great tool to learn how to navigate change in dynamics and relationships, it’s been very useful.”

Imran Ahmad, Consultant Urologist and CRUK Clinician Scientist and Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Glasgow, added: “The highlights were very much meeting like-minded participants and forming a network with them, and hopefully continuing that beyond the course as colleagues and friends, as well as meeting the faculty who are world-leaders in their field.

“I would definitely recommend this course to others. It’s for anyone, whether they are early in their career or senior in their career. It has a lot to offer with tips on how to improve leadership style and be more inclusive.”

Joining this year’s participants were alumni from the programme, including Dr Antonia Ho, Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Glasgow’s Centre for Virus Research, who was a member of the first cohort just prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said: “I would 100% recommend this programme to anyone. Working in the NHS and academia, there’s often very little opportunity to think about leadership and management skills and management roles, and it really gives you time to think about these things, meet other people across the spectrum of the National Health Service and academia. The training you get is invaluable.”

The fully-funded Leadership Development Scholarship Programme is open to those in the early stages of a leadership position, including clinical academics, of any health-related discipline. It includes three days of intensive leadership training, an assessment of personal leadership style, experiential learning and support, mentorship training, and access to personal mentorship from a senior clinician.

Participants also build their professional networks and gain access to CPD-accredited courses, as well as receiving a funded place on a teaching skills course.

The next course is set to begin early in 2024, with applications opening this September. Keep an eye on the College’s Awards and Scholarships page and social media for further information.

Category: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion