27 March 2025

On Saturday 22 March, Future Frontline, in partnership with King’s Health Partners, hosted an inspiring event at Bush House, Strand Campus: "Redefining a Healthcare Pathway: Developing Portfolio Careers and Building a Resilient and Rewarding Vocation."

Find out more in the blog below, by Current Students Co-Directors Maariyah Bajibhai and Amelia Snook, and Future Frontline Co-founder Nikki Kerdegari.

With healthcare careers constantly evolving, this conference aimed to empower students, apprentices, and professionals to explore alternative pathways beyond the traditional clinical route. Emphasising that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, the event encouraged attendees to shape careers that align with their passions, skills, and aspirations.

The aims of the conference were as follows: 

  1. Brainstorm, shape, and present your own independent initiatives, exploring opportunities to create meaningful ventures alongside clinical roles.
  2. Learn practical techniques for managing time, setting priorities, and structuring workflows to successfully balance clinical responsibilities with entrepreneurial, leadership, or research initiatives from healthcare professionals in the field. Delegates will gain tools to improve efficiency, prevent burnout, and maintain professional and personal wellbeing.
  3. Explore diverse career opportunities beyond traditional clinical roles and their impact on patient care and community health.
  4. Create an actionable plan to integrate interests in media, business, education, or policy into your professional journey.

Throughout the day, we were fortunate to hear from a variety of speakers.

The first keynote of the day was delivered by Jenny Okolo, who shared her expertise in forensic mental health and the importance of neurodiversity in the workplace. She spoke about her journey in building SASA Health, a company dedicated to improving workplace wellbeing, and emphasised the need for inclusivity and tailored support for neurodivergent individuals.

This was followed by an engaging panel discussion featuring Gregory Makris, Jenny Geh, and Alexander Hammers, who explored the realities and challenges of research in the healthcare sector. They highlighted the need for continuous innovation while balancing clinical responsibilities and discussed the crucial role of mentorship throughout a research career.

Everyone has the ability to be an educator

After a short networking break, Dr Rini Paul delivered a compelling second keynote on the importance of medical education. She emphasised that education is not limited to formal teaching roles—everyone, regardless of their position, has the ability to be an educator. She also spoke about her work in mentoring, reflective practice, and clinical reasoning, particularly in community-based education.

Following Dr Paul’s address, Gemma Poole provided further insights into healthcare entrepreneurship. As Co-Founder of The Essential Baby Company and an NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Ambassador, she discussed the importance of innovation in maternity care, as well as the significance of equality, diversity, and inclusion in healthcare.

After a networking lunch, attendees reconvened for an inspiring talk by Thorrun Govind, whose keynote focused on building a portfolio career. As a pharmacist, lawyer, and former Chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in England, she shared her experiences balancing multiple roles and highlighted the benefits of a diverse career path. She also provided practical advice on how to build a portfolio career and leverage different skill sets for professional growth.

From idea to impact

The afternoon featured an interactive workshop titled "From Idea to Impact – Building a Healthcare Venture That Matters," led by Future Frontline and King’s Health Partners. This session provided attendees with practical strategies for developing impactful healthcare ventures, emphasising entrepreneurship and innovation.  Networking and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential for driving change. 

With a mix of insightful keynotes, engaging panel discussions, and interactive workshops, the conference successfully fostered meaningful conversations and connections. Attendees left with renewed motivation and actionable knowledge to shape their future careers. 

To learn more about the work of Future Frontline, visit its website here.