SAS and LED Membership and Committee

Dr Julie Ann Forbes, Vice Chair of SAS and LED Committee

Originally from Northern Ireland, I studied at the University of Dundee and graduated first with BSc Hons in Microbiology and microbial genetics then MBChB from the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.  I worked in Tayside region before returning to Northern Ireland to train in Obstetrics & Gynaecology.

When I was offered a Staff Grade post in the Regional Gynae- Oncology Centre in 2003 I saw this as a positive career opportunity. It would enable me to develop my interest in Gynae Oncology in a permanent post in a forward-thinking department whilst also helping me achieve a desirable work life balance. I was appointed Associate Specialist in 2009.

I have had an interest in SAS career development for some time. I spoke on Career progression for SAS at the RCOG annual professional development conference. I have represented SAS at the Northern Ireland committee of the RCOG since 2013.

I work in the largest integrated health and social care trust in the UK and in May 2019 I was appointed Belfast Trust SAS lead. I have established and participate in a Regional SAS Lead group and represent SAS on the Trust workforce group.

I am committed to ensuring career development and progression for SAS and LE doctors and am delighted to work with Eman and the other regional representatives to raise our profile within the college and beyond.

Dr Sarah Court, Vice Chair of SAS and LED Committee

I am an Associate Specialist in NHS Lothian based at St John’s hospital in Livingston and represent Scotland in the SAS/Led committee. I am also on the Scottish RCOG committee and represent SAS/LED at the RCOG Education Board

I have an interest in general O&G with a special interest in Colposcopy and Oncology. I work autonomously.

In my Associate specialist role I have managerial roles in Risk Management and Guidelines. I am also an educational supervisor for Specialist trainees and GP trainees and I am a college examiner for MRCOG Part 3.

Dr Anjana Mackeen – MBBS, MObGyn, MRCOG

I am originally from Sri Lanka, I obtained a government scholarship to study medicine in Bangladesh at Chittagong Medical College. I then joined the Master's program at the University of Malaya-Malaysia and achieved a master's degree MObGyn in 2015. In the same year, I also gained my MRCOG.

I worked as a specialist in the Maldives and Oman. Equipped with experience from several countries and cultures, I arrived in the UK to join the NHS. I currently work as a Clinical Fellow at Royal Surrey Hospital, Guildford. My interests are in ambulatory gynaecology and fertility; I'm pursuing ATSMs in Benign Gynaecology- Hysteroscopy and Advanced Labour Ward Practice.

Apart from practising, I am also keen and passionate about imparting knowledge. I have served as an MRCOG Part 3 examiner for RCOG and will be continuing my role as an examiner, and I am involved in undergraduate teaching and examining at my trust.

I am excited to take on the role of a SAS/LED representative for RCOG in the KSS region. I hope to create a support network and increase their contribution to the college

Dr Wiaam Elradi, MBBCh, SBOG, ABOG, EFOG-EBCOG, MRCOG.

I am half Egyptian and half Sudanese, I obtained my M.B., B.CH. from Egypt's Cairo University in 2008. I moved back to Saudi Arabia where I was born and my family lived, I joined the O&G Saudi and Arab Board training program in Riyadh in 2011 after doing my internship year there.

I completed my training in 2016, accredited by the Saudi council as an O&G specialized doctor. Followed by the consultant Accreditation 3 years later.

In 2017, I was admitted as a fellow to the European College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology after passing examinations of the European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. I gained my MRCOG in 2019 and decided to move to the UK to progress my career.

I started as a trust grade registrar in James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough and was then appointed as a Clinical Fellow in gynae-oncology. I always loved both obstetrics and gynaecology and this was observed by the team. I accepted a locum consultant Obstetrician Consultant job in May 2022.

I am currently doing the Advanced Labour ward practitioner ATSMD and the Obstetrics Medicine ATSM with the aim to apply for the CESR pathway by the start of 2023.

I am excited to take on the role of a SAS/LED representative for RCOG in the North East region.

Dr Montila Ghosh

I am from Calcutta, in India where the RCOG is highly respected by both doctors and patients. Many doctors from my city are directly or indirectly related to the College and its activities.  I completed my post-graduate studies in O&G in India, working in both rural government and private hospitals. I first came to the UK in 2012 on the MTI Scheme and returned to the UK permanently in 2015.

I worked as a SAS doctor on fixed term contract, then briefly as a Locally Employed Doctor (LED), and later from 2017 became a SAS doctor on a permanent contract. I have a special interest in Paediatric and Adolescent gynaecology. I completed my MRCOG in 2018, and I have submitted my CESR application to the GMC.

I was appointed as a SAS Lead at my trust in May 2021 and was elected to the BMA SAS Committee in October 2021. Within these roles, I have been working to establish the SAS Charter in my trust and ensure that all SAS doctors have their annual job plan. Currently I am working to introduce the SAS specialist post and the SAS advocate post in my trust.

In my role as SAS and LED representative for the North West at the RCOG SAS and LED Committee, I want to facilitate good networking between all LEDs and SAS in the North West and promote the creation of new Specialist posts. I also want to support LEDs in gaining opportunities for career development and overall raise awareness about SAS/ LEDs and increase their recognition as a senior workforce.

Dr Laura Rylah, MBBS, MRCOG

In October 2020 I was appointed as a Specialty Doctor in Winchester hospital. I am delighted to have been asked to be a representative for the Wessex region as I navigate this new career path.

I graduated from UCL Medical School in 2009 having completed a Biology degree at Leeds University prior to this. I commenced training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Wessex in 2011 after doing my Foundation jobs in the North Central Thames area.

I gained my MRCOG in 2019 and I am incredibly proud to have been awarded the Prize Medal for the Part 3 examination.

I made the positive decision to move aside from training at the level of ST6 to continue working in a unit which I love. Remaining in one place with trusted colleagues hugely contributes to my job satisfaction and provides more stability for my family and me. I have two young children and my husband is an Anaesthetist for the Royal Navy, so this career move will compliment his commitments which include regular deployments over the coming years.

My interests include Obstetric scanning and teaching and I have been asked to take on the role of Medical Student teaching lead locally. I am exploring the opportunity to start a Mental Health Antenatal clinic in my unit and I am working with the midwives to provide greater structured support for staff in O&G after difficult cases. I am excited to embark upon this new career path, working in a specialty that I find incredibly fulfilling.

Dr Suvalagna Chatterjee, DGO, MD, MRCOG

I graduated and completed my postgraduate training in India. I first came to the UK as an MTI trainee and I am currently based in in South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust as a Specialty doctor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

My special interests are advanced labour ward practice, menopause management, urogynaecology and vaginal surgery. I take an interest in teaching and have been a regular examiner in Warwick Medical School for final year students. I have organised MRCOG Part 3 courses successfully and inspired many to succeed in the examination.

I firmly believe in working with full support in helping colleagues to progress in their career pathway and overcome constraints. I am delighted to have selected as the RCOG representative for SAS/LE doctors in West Midland deanery.

I am keen to develop a community of SAS/LE doctors within our deanery for creating a support group and maximise their potential within NHS for amelioration.

Dr Michael Togobo BSc, BSc, MBChB, DFSRH, MRCOG

I am British-born Ghanaian, born in Nottingham and grew up in London.

My first degree was from University of Southampton. However keen to go back to my roots, I graduated at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology – School of Medical Sciences in Ghana.  Here I had the opportunity to work with the United Nations and military as a Senior Medical Officer.

I developed an interest in Obstetrics and Gynaecology whilst working in a fertility hospital in Ghana. I came back to the UK where my first job was in Yorkshire and have stayed there ever since.

I am currently an SAS doctor in Mid-Yorkshire NHS Trust.  Keen to develop a community of SAS/LED doctors, to maximise their potential and realise their worth among themselves and within the NHS.

With many family and life commitments, being an SAS doctor has enabled me to train at a pace that has been compatible to my lifestyle and in units that have been convenient and supportive.

I pursued ATSMs in Benign Gynaecology Hysteroscopy and Advanced Labour Ward Practice, I am an associate GOSH tutor for Leeds Medical School and trained educational supervisor, mentor and medical appraiser.