Can you tell us about your career journey since graduating?
Well my first role after graduation was sailing around the world on the BT Global Challenge, which was definitely unexpected until the opportunity arose! At 23 it was a very formative, awesome experience. After the race, I worked as a House Officer at Southmead Hospital in Bristol with Professor Sandy who was a wonderful mentor and I later chose to specialise in orthodontics. Even though dentistry sounds like a fairly narrow, vocational degree, I’ve been able to wear lots of professional hats along the way, including unexpected ones! For instance, I’m currently a PhD student, which was a late career decision but I’ve also spent time working with the Royal Navy, delivering yachts, as a project manager with Raleigh International, as a volunteer, as a clinical orthodontist and as a university educator in orthodontics and in clinical leadership, as a Board member, a Journal Editor and President of the Orthodontic Society in Ireland.
How did your time at Bristol Dental School shape your career and professional identity?
I loved Bristol. I met lifelong friends at Churchill Hall and through sports teams and on my course. I grew up in a small town in the North of England and arrived in Bristol straight from school, I was just 18 and everyone seemed so worldly and fascinating. I think I already had that curiosity to discover the world and I thrived on the environment. I think I took a lot of things at face value when I was a student, but on reflection appreciate them even more. At the dental school, there was an amazing culture of respect and trust, beyond traditional hierarchies. We were colleagues and the future of the profession, not just students. That is something that really shaped my professional identity, especially working with students and young patients now. Without that supportive environment I would not have been able to train for the round the world race and complete my finals with distinction, but I was able to do it all, beyond what I even thought was possible. I remain grateful to the Dean, Ken Marshall and the School for that positive organisational culture.
What does a typical working day look like for you now?
I’m a PhD student at the moment and so I spend a lot of time reading and writing, and attending meetings. And I still work clinically one day a week. At the moment, I’m collaborating with students at The Institute for Art Design and Technology in Dun Laoghaire, on one of the project phases, using design thinking to develop a patient resource that is informed by the research data, so I’m loving the interaction and learning from them.
It’s been a huge learning curve after many years of clinical practice and I enjoy the flexibility and space to think more creatively. I’m based in the Centre for Positive Health Sciences at RCSI, Dublin. This is a relatively new centre for research and postgraduate education within the University of Medical and Health Sciences and I think is part of a growing recognition of the importance of behavioural and social sciences and interdisciplinary approaches to support health systems.
What has been the proudest or most rewarding moment of your career so far?
In 2016, I was awarded Membership of the European Board of Orthodontists. At the time I was the first Orthodontist in Ireland to receive this, so it was a huge honour. The EBO was a recognition of my clinical expertise, yet the people I met and the conversations that followed also served as a tipping point that led me towards research. I had also completed a Masters in Clinical Leadership and I suppose this awareness that health outcomes rely not just on clinical skill but on how health systems support patients and practitioners and on patients’ engagement on care pathways and led me into Population Health Research.
What advice would you give to current students or recent graduates starting out in dentistry?
You’re not in competition with your classmates, the world is big enough for you all to be successful; but find your own perspective on success and what is meaningful to you, as this will shape your professional identity and guide the professional and personal choices you make along the way. Sometimes ambition is framed as a narrow, laser focus on a goal, but maintaining a wide lens on life and curiosity helps us to see the opportunities we never imagined.
Looking back, is there anything you would do differently?
I would have better conversations. With myself and with other people! When I was in my 20’s I thought I had to cram everything in, make it all count. I was very happy at Bristol but it was hectic. It’s taken me time to understand my strengths and take time to appreciate the simple things. Spending time in nature is my happy place, I love living by the sea and on reflection, even though sailing round the world was the challenge of a lifetime, it was also about that connection with nature, people and with myself.
Finally, what is your favourite memory of Bristol?
Oh there are way too many! I was back in Bristol recently and it was so nostalgic walking around the city and University remembering all the old haunts and seeing all the new places. My friends would never forgive me if I didn’t mention going to Twickenham to watch them play in the UAU (Universities Athletics Union) rugby final!