Further Information
I am a Medical Director at Health Innovation Kent, Surrey and Sussex and a Non-Executive Director at NHS Kent and Medway Partnership Trust. I am an experienced medical leader and executive motivated by a desire to lead transformational change across the health system to reduce health inequalities and ensure equity and inclusion for everyone.
From a personal perspective, I identify as a woman from a BAME background with a lived experience of social disadvantage; in my medical career, I have faced systemic racism, ageism, and sexism. It is critical that we address bias and discrimination that exists within health and champion equality, diversity, and inclusion. I recognise that I was one of the lucky ones who was able to succeed despite many barriers and break the glass ceiling for women of colour in Board level roles, but we need to remove the barriers that prevent people from reaching their full potential and ensure that there is equity of access and opportunity for all health professionals.
Some of the key actions that I will bring as the Chair of the ED&I committee will be to listen and better understand the experiences of our diverse membership, increase representation from underserved groups and engage people in the changes needed to be an equitable college for all. I am passionate about using my leadership position to role-model, mentor, and coach those from minority groups to participate in the college and increase diversity within college leadership roles.
“Diversity and inclusion is not just what we have to do; it's about who we choose to be!”
― Justin Jones-Fosu