How long have you worked at Evelina London?
I've been working for Evelina London since the opening of the new hospital building in September 2005, which is 18 years now!
What is your current role and how did you get there?
I'm the lead medical secretary in charge of providing administrative and secretarial support for doctors, consultants and other senior staff in the rheumatology department at Evelina London. Throughout the day, I balance competing demands professionally and efficiently. My role involves interacting with the general public, taking internal and external phone calls as well as answering email enquiries. It requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills as well as a talent for customer service.
Tell us one fun fact about your job
It’s a busy but very interesting role, and no 2 days are ever the same. It's very challenging at times, but I find solving problems or issues so rewarding. Knowing that this would not be possible without me makes the work I do extremely fulfilling.
What does being part of Evelina London mean?
Being part of the Evelina London team is a privilege and honour. I pride myself on being part of a team that lifts and elevates staff performance to the highest level. I think that for a team to truly succeed each individual must really recognise their own responsibilities.
Throughout these past few years of my life, I have genuinely started to appreciate everything I have been blessed with. One thing, in particular, is the different teams I have been a part of. I believe that there is something so eye-opening about being a part of a great team that everyone should experience at some point in their life. Throughout your life, being supported and cared for is essential and being part a team, (whatever the team may be) will get you where you want to be. Just be caring, compassionate and committed.
What are you most passionate about?
I get great satisfaction when I play my part helping and supporting patients and staff when they need me the most. It’s a great feeling to know that I’m helping to make a difference in our Trust.
The one patient that always sticks with me is…
I often think about one patient who came to me in 2009 with her outcome form, which said 'Discharged to GP'. She was crying so much that the only thing I could do was try to calm her down and tell her that it was going to be okay.
I was so surprised when she told me that the doctor said that the test she had had was negative. I was thinking that she had received bad news from her consultant, but she was actually crying due to a feeling of huge relief.
My worries for her turned immediately to happiness. It was such a wonderful day!
What was your proudest moment?
I was honoured to have been nominated in 2016 for our Trust staff CARE Awards, and in 2006 I was thrilled to come second. I have also won the Evelina 150 Stars award for my work and particularly for organising a staff cook-off event that brought about 200 staff together to have lunch. This event happens twice a year and has had an incredible impact on morale. It encourages different teams to interact, helping to build the sense that Evelina London is one family.
I am also proud of designing a spreadsheet, which is now used by other secretaries in their departments to keep track of clinic letters after a patient visits the hospital. I love seeing something I have created benefiting patient care and staff. This really boosts my confidence.
My colleagues really help me to challenge myself and do things out of my comfort zone. When I look back, I think that I was quite a shy person when I joined the Trust 15 years ago.
Thank you to the children and young people who have so brilliantly illustrated our blog pages.