Dr Victoria O'Brien and Dr Julianaa Raghu are Co-Chairs of the Trainees Council. This blog was written with contributions from the wider group (see below). Contact the Trainees Council by emailing trainees@bgs.org.uk.
On International Women's Day, we pay tribute to a remarkable woman, Dr Marjory Warren, who played a pivotal role in establishing the British Geriatrics Society. As one of the pioneering women in healthcare, she shattered barriers and made significant contributions to the field of geriatrics. Dr Warren's dedication and leadership not only transformed the way we approach ageing and healthcare but also inspired countless women to pursue careers in medicine and make their mark on the world. Her legacy serves as a beacon of empowerment and resilience, reminding us of the invaluable role women play in shaping the future of healthcare and society as a whole.
The BGS Trainees Council is made up of many inspiring women who share a passion for delivering the best care they can for our older patients. We have representation from the four home nations and have many exciting projects both in progress and on the horizon. For International Women’s Day we asked them for some highlights of their roles. We want to showcase the ways they are inspiring inclusion through education, representation, and leadership.
We have been inspired by seeing previous trainees in the chair role and feel privileged taking on a national role leading such a motivated and ambitious team. It’s pushed us to try new things and take on new challenges, and we hope we can encourage others to do the same.
Taking over as co-chairs in November, we have big plans for the next two years. We are grateful for such a fantastic committee of trainee representatives with a diverse range of backgrounds and experience; from foundation trainees to ST7 registrars and those planning to take the CESR route. We are excited to work with them on making events as accessible and impactful for trainees as possible, representing trainee views at the BGS board meetings, developing links with our multidisciplinary colleagues and later this year launching our Instagram page, where we will showcase highlights of our work to inspire others into the specialty.
From attending careers fairs for school children to mentoring the medical students who make up our medical student group, encouraging the next generation is a key part of the Council’s work.
