Briefly, could you describe your career before coming to King’s?
I trained as a nurse at Barts and then did Midwifery at St Thomas’. I worked on the liver unit at King’s College Hospital for 8 years and then moved into education: initially in Normanby College (now the WEC) before we joined the university.
When did you arrive at King’s, and what have you gone on to work on in your time here?
Technically my time at King’s started when I joined King’s College Hospital (Denmark Hill) in 1977! I was a clinical teacher and then became a tutor. I ran the adult branch programme in our demonstration Project 2000 programme, was the programme leader for both the post qualification part time BSc (Hons) critical care programme and BSc (Hons) Independent practice programme. I’ve been head of department for 2 different departments, examination board chair, faculty disability advisor. I was the chair of the first college disability committee. I served on the College Council for 2 terms and also on academic board. For several years I was the admissions tutor for the faculty.
Apart from Nanjing I’ve been lucky enough to travel a couple of time for the College: to Japan to open a “Nightingale College” near Hiroshima and also to validate a master’s programme in Modena Italy.
You’ve been instrumental in delivering teaching for our international partnerships in Ngee Ann and Nanjing. How did you become involved in this and what about it has been so rewarding?
When the Nanjing contract was in development, I was asked to consider applying for the academic lead role which I did successfully! It has been an interesting development: I have found out much more about international work, specifically about China and seeing the progress Nanjing Vocational Health College has made has been rewarding, as has working with different colleagues both here and in China. For King’s to work with a vocational health college sits comfortably with “In service to Society” but I am aware not all colleagues see this the same way! I applied for the deputy module lead role for one of the Ngee Ann modules and have enjoyed working with the students and hearing their experiences hugely. My favourite place to go in Singapore is the orchid garden and in Nanjing is the Xuanwu Lake.
What have been some of your most memorable achievements of working at King’s over the years?
Leading the adult branch programme of Project 2000 was a joy and an achievement: we made great steps forward in widening participation and seeing the students graduate with an honours degree from a Russell group university alongside their professional registration was memorable. My trips to Nanjing have been memorable in so many ways: international nurses’ day is celebrated so much more than here. The journey is quite a challenge: negotiating the ticket office in Shanghai railway station is a memory I will retain. Seeing the first 6 BSc Nanjing graduates when they returned to London for their graduation ceremony was quite special. The Covid-19 pandemic probably needs to be mentioned: it was so difficult for all of us. I found it particularly hard to be restricted in the way we could support our clinical partners but possibly got to know them at a different level (albeit online).
What is your favourite thing about working at King’s?
We have great colleagues and students and there is a wealth of opportunity to take on different roles and work across faculties. I also like being by the river.
Do you have any particular plans for your retirement when you leave the Faculty?
I live across a park from my local hospital and have always liked the idea of “walking to work” so I shall do some voluntary work there: possibly in the Macmillan centre. I have had a lot of work done in my hours recently so will spend some time finishing unpacking the boxes!
Quick fire:
Favourite film?
To Kill a Mockingbird (or the Paddington films)
Favourite book?
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Favourite travel destination?
Italy, possibly Assisi.