Paul Lee

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

MB BCh, MA, MRCS (London), FRCS (Tr & Ortho)

Paul Lee was appointed as a consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon at the Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust in 2011. He subspecialises in hip and knee joint reconstruction and hip preservation surgery.

After completing specialist orthopaedic training at the East Midlands Deanery, he undertook subspecialist fellowship training in complex hip and knee reconstruction in Canada and hip preservation surgery in the UK, Switzerland and Denmark.

Paul’s interests also include clinical training for specialist orthopaedic registrars and medical students, research in hip and knee reconstruction and hip preservation surgery, and developments for surgical patients to improve safety and clinical outcomes.

Hortensia Gimeno

Clinical reader in Child Health Research

PhD, MSc(OT), Dip(OT)

Dr Hortensia Gimeno is a Clinical Reader in Child Health Research and the Associate Director of Therapies Research at QMUL and Barts Health. Her research program is dedicated to understanding and addressing the priorities and concerns of children, young people, and their families by developing interventions that truly matter to them. She is also a leader in capacity building initiatives for underrepresented in research, providing mentorship, leadership, and supervision to aspiring clinical academics.

With over 26 years of clinical experience as a paediatric occupational therapist, Hortensia focuses on closing the gap between clinical practice and evidence-based interventions, particularly in managing childhood-onset hyperkinetic movement disorders, including cerebral palsy and dystonia. She is one of the few allied health professionals to receive an NIHR Advanced Fellowship.

Hortensia has secured over £10.2 million in research funding, including £1.9 million as the principal investigator and has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles. Her work on the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach and its application in movement disorders as part of her funded NIHR Doctoral Fellowship has been widely recognised. She has a strong track record in using routine collected data, single case experimental design, and complex intervention development.

Hortensia is available for predoctoral, doctoral and post-doctoral supervision in the fields of child health, movement disorders, rehabilitation, and single case experimental design.

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Nyasha Kahari

Research and Education Coordinator

Nyasha is a highly skilled administration professional with over nine years of experience in providing technical and administrative support across various projects. Currently serving as the Research & Education Coordinator Nyasha handles a wide range of research tasks including grant management, pre- and post-award support, as well as support with the coordination of the Integrated Academic Training programme. Her role involves overseeing various research grants and assisting in the preparation of funding applications.

Previously, Nyasha held roles at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Zimbabwe Technical Assistance Training and Education Centre for Health (ZIM-TTECH), where she gained extensive experience in project management, event logistics, and financial oversight. She has a strong background in managing internal and external communications, supporting with expenses management in line with funder regulations. Nyasha holds a BSc Double Major in Management and Marketing from Monash University and has certificates in Project Management in Global Health, Agile Project Management as well as Fundamentals of Global Health Research.

Outside of work, Nyasha enjoys experimenting with new recipes and cuisines in the kitchen, traveling, and spending quality time with family.

Jerry Tsang

Senior Clinical Lecturer in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery

BSc (Hons) MBChB MSc MFSTEd PhD FRCSEd (Tr & Orth)

Jerry leads a cross-disciplinary programme of research in extremity trauma and its sequelae. His ambition in practice is to improve the outcomes of patients sustaining trauma and to deliver worldclass academic training for the next generation of clinician scientists.

Jerry is a former Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh Cutner Research Fellow and undertook his doctoral research training at the University of Edinburgh. He has over 50 peer-reviewed publications and has received research prizes from a number of national and international research societies including the Orthopaedic Research Society-International Section for Fracture Repair (ORS-ISFR).

Jerry’s clinical expertise is orthopaedic trauma surgery with a sub-specialist interest in limb reconstruction. He is proud to be part of the team at the busiest orthopaedic trauma hospital in Europe – The Royal London. Jerry completed both his undergraduate medical training (2009) and postgraduate surgical training in Edinburgh (2022). He is dual-fellowship trained, having completed world-renowned Limb Reconstruction and Trauma fellowships at the Oxford Bone Infection Unit (2022) and Tygerberg Hospital, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town (2023). He has previously worked as a Consultant Trauma and Limb Reconstruction Surgeon in Oxford at the John Radcliffe Hospital Major Trauma Centre and the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre.

Despite having now officially retired from competitive rugby he always looks forward to the annual inter-collegiate rugby match. He now occupies his spare time, when he is not chasing after his young son, through “Munro-bagging” with his dog, open-water swimming, and skiing.

Honorary Consultant Trauma and Limb Reconstruction Surgeon; Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust

Specialty Editor, Bone & Joint Research

Chair for Data Analytics, Bone and Joint Infection Registry (BAJIR)

Education Committee, Orthopaedic Research Society-International Section for Fracture Repair (ORS-ISFR)

Specialist advisor, African Bone and Joint Infection Network (ABJIN) database working group committee

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Dr Suzanne Eldridge

Senior Lecturer

Suzanne is a molecular biologist with a background in engineering. The main goal of Suzanne’s research is to discover, understand, and develop new drugs that will prevent osteoarthritis and heal cartilage. Suzanne began her training in engineering and subsequently undertook a master’s in medical engineering. During these studies I acquired a strong interest in musculoskeletal biology, with particular emphasis on joint and cartilage damage, undertaking a short internship a biomaterials company specialising in meniscal replacements for patients with meniscal damage. However, Suzanne became unsatisfied with the engineering approach to ‘fix’ the body once its ‘broken’ and pursued a master’s and subsequent PhD in molecular biology of cartilage and joint disease in an effort to understand the mechanisms by which the cartilage and joint fails in the first place – and more importantly, why there are no treatments.

Suzanne’s current research is focussed on a protein she discovered only patients with healthy cartilage have – this protein (called Agrin) is hard to detect in patients with osteoarthritis, and the more severe their disease, the less Agrin they have.  Suzanne’s studies have shown that by adding this protein back to the joint, the cells make more cartilage. Suzanne is now pursuing Agrin as a treatment for cartilage damage and osteoarthritis, with the ultimate goal to take this discovery from the lab to the patients that need it.

Additional Roles:

• Versus Arthritis Fellows Network Committee
• OARSI Publication Committee
• OARSI Research and Training

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Paul Armenise

Musculoskeletal Study Coordinator

With over a decade of experience in the field of clinical research, Paul has recently joined the Barts Bone and Joint Health Team as a Musculoskeletal Study Coordinator. In his new role, he’ll be managing the exciting new NELOA study which will be looking at Osteoarthritis progression within the diverse population of the Northeast London area. This study is designed to allow new arms to be added so that patients can be involved with novel research as current treatment needs change.

Paul has a history of project delivery with a key focus on high quality data collection, protocol adherence, and ensuring patient safety and wellbeing is at the forefront of research. By ensuring ethical practices were consistently being followed, he has helped steer numerous projects from start-up through to a successful finish.

Having previously worked on numerous research projects within the NHS, academic settings and the pharmaceutical industry, he brings a broad range of knowledge, experience and new ideas with him. He has strong background in monitoring complex clinical trials at hospitals across the UK and maintains a strong desire to improve patient health and quality of life. He enjoys working with healthcare professionals and researchers, fostering positive relationships that allow research to be conducted in a collaborative and rewarding manner.

Outside of work, Paul can usually be found pottering around his garden, cooking up a storm, or with his nose deeply buried in a book.

Fatma Scerif

Postdoctoral Researcher

BSc, MSc, PhD

Fatma is a molecular biologist who obtained her BSc and MSc at Queen Mary University of London, followed by a PhD at the Institute of Child Health, University College London.  In collaboration with the Medical Research Council, the Kennedy Trust has awarded Fatma a three-year Daphne Jackson Fellowship to support her return to scientific research after a six-year career break.  Fatma’s current research explores the use of Agrin to promote cartilage formation in the treatment of obesity-induced osteoarthritis.

Kalpesh R. Vaghela

Consultant Hand & Wrist Surgeon

MBBS BSc MSc FRCS (Tr & Orth) FEBHS DipHandSurg (Br)

Kalpesh is passionate about helping patients suffering from pain and disability caused by hand and wrist conditions. He has expertise in all aspects of hand surgery including WALANT (Wide-Awake Local Anaesthetic No Tourniquet), complex trauma, microsurgery, arthroscopy (keyhole) and joint arthroplasty.

Kalpesh read medicine at Imperial College London and completed a BSc in Surgical Sciences graduating with 1^st class honours. He completed specialist orthopaedic training on the prestigious Percivall Pott rotation. Kalpesh then undertook the Training Interface Group (TIG) integrated orthoplastics hand surgery fellowship at the Pulvertaft Hand Centre, Derby and gained international experience at the world renowned Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia. Returning to the UK he spent time as a consultant at Guys & St Thomas Hospital Hand unit.

He has been awarded the BSSH Travelling fellowship attending the Institute Kaplan in Barcelona, Spain and the ASSH International Fellowship to attend centres of excellence in the USA learning from some of the worlds pioneering surgeons.

Kalpesh has obtained dual diploma qualification in hand surgery completing both the European and British diploma the latter of which he was awarded the Vivien Lees Gold Medal and now serves as a BSSH diploma tutor training future hand surgeons.

Kalpesh enjoys teaching and mentoring and has completed a MSc in Medical Education at UCL and was awarded the Robert Jones Medal & Association Prize by the British Orthopaedic Association for his work on human factors training and virtual reality simulation.

He is actively involved in basic science and clinical research which has been published in peer-reviewed journals, specialist textbooks and presented at international conferences.

Kalpesh works within a multi-disciplinary team, utilising evidence-based treatments to deliver high quality patient centered care.

BSSH Education & Training Committee

UKITE Upper Limb Editor

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Erum Hyder

Postdoctoral Research Assistant

BDS (PAK), RDS (PMDC), C-Orth (USA), MRes (UK), FHEA (AdvanceHE), PhD (UK)
Presidents doctoral scholar award by The University of Manchester (UK)

Erum is a passionate researcher driven by the desire to advance knowledge and clinical skills. Her journey began with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) from Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine (AIDM) in Pakistan in 2012. Following two years of clinical practice at AIDM and Pakistan Navy Military Hospital. She pursued a Master of Research (MRes) in Oral Cancer at the University of Dundee in 2015.

Erum’s dedication to research was recognized in 2017 when she was awarded the prestigious Presidential Doctoral Scholar Award at the University of Manchester (UoM) for her PhD in Basic Dental Sciences. Under the guidance of Professor Susan J Kimber, Erum focused on culturing human induced pluripotent stem cells to generate functional cartilage resembling growth plates. This research honed her expertise in stem cell 3D culturing, flow cytometry, RNA sequencing, and immunohistochemistry.

While pursuing her PhD, Erum’s passion for teaching was evident through her involvement in tutoring and mentoring activities at UoM. Her commitment to reflective teaching practices earned her a fellowship from the Advance HE.

Erum secured a Leverhulme Trust-funded project in 2023. This led to a year-long postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Strathclyde, collaborating with the University of Glasgow, where she engineered novel substrates for mesenchymal stem cell expansion.  Now, Erum brings her enthusiasm and expertise to the ReGen Lab as a Postdoctoral Research Assistant. She will be working with Professor Francesco Dell’Accio and Dr. Susan Eldridge, focusing on a project dedicated to cartilage regeneration.

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Inkyung “Jessica” Cho

Research Technician

Jessica is a Research Technician currently working with Prof. Francesco Dell’accio and Dr. Suzanne E. Eldridge to better understand disease pathogenesis of several rheumatological conditions, including osteoarthritis, to develop novel therapeutics and maximise the therapeutic utility of existing therapies for those affected.

She has done her final year research on evaluating the causal links between cancer and Alzheimer’s disease through the two-sample Mendelian Randomisation study. Statistical analyses on genetic variants using R were performed to evaluate if an individual with cancer history is protected from developing AD at a later age.

She worked as a Research Technician in the Myers group at Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, where she primarily investigated the mechanism of gene expression regulation in meiotic synapsis and recombination, in mice. Her main objective was to identify the interaction between proteins to explain how elements are recruited to repair the double-strand breaks.

She has also worked in a clinical environment as a clinical research staff at a hospital as part of an internship programme, which led her to more voluntary work at Camillian Homes, home for disabled children, where she worked to support disabled orphans with personal care needs.

Gaining experience in various fields of science, one thing that excites Jessica is to investigate the less understood underlying mechanisms of diseases or health problems. She hopes that her work in research will help those affected in any possible way. In her spare time, she can be found either in bed or on courts.

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Francesco Dell’Accio

Professor of Musculoskeletal Regenerative Medicine and Rheumatology

MD, PhD, FRCP

Francesco Dell’Accio is a Rheumatologist and a scientist who focusses on the molecular mechanisms underpinning cartilage and bone regeneration. Three of the discovered molecules are currently in the translational pipeline.  Francesco Dell’Accio graduated in Medicine and specialized in Rheumatology in the University of Bari, Italy. In 1997 he moved to Leuven, Belgium where he obtained his PhD. During this time he Contributed to the development of the first cell-based product approved by the EMEA for the repair of cartilage injuries.

In 2003 he moved to the UK to start his independent investigator career. Since then, he has investigated the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving the reparative responses in musculoskeletal tissues, with an emphasis on the early molecular responses to cartilage injury and how these regulate the morphogenesis of the regenerating tissues.  The Dell’Accio laboratory is particularly well known for discovering that molecular pathways that drive the embryonic joint morphogenesis, in adulthood are re-activated to activate joint tissue regeneration.  Current research aims at translating these findings into therapeutics for cartilage regeneration and osteoarthrtis.

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Amit Patel

Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon (Foot and Ankle)

MBBS, BSc (Hons), MSc (Hons), FRCS (Trauma &Orthopaedics)

Amit is passionate about delivering high quality foot and ankle orthopaedic care. He has a wide and varied clinical practice including major foot and ankle trauma, post traumatic deformity correction, ankle arthroplasty and diabetic foot reconstruction.

Having completed higher surgical training in the South-East Thames training programme in London, Amit undertook three post training fellowships. The first of these was at Barts Health, undertaking major trauma and complex foot and ankle elective training.  He augmented this with a fellowship in ankle arthroplasty in Nottingham and diabetic foot reconstruction at Kings College Hospital. He was awarded the prestigious European Foot and Ankle Society travelling fellowship award in 2023, travelling and learning from world renowned surgeons in Germany, Poland, Denmark, Finland, and Spain.

Academically, he recruits for major trials based out of Barts Health and has published widely in the field of foot and ankle helping him deliver evidence-based healthcare to his patients. He has a higher degree in Sports and Exercise Medicine

He is a member of the British, European and American foot and ankle societies. As a member of the Young Consultant committee for the European Foot and Ankle Society he is involved with driving forward training for European foot and ankle surgeons. He has been involved with setting national standards for ankle arthritis management from the British Foot and Ankle Society.  Nationally he is involved with delivering post-surgical training and FRCS exam teaching in foot and ankle on a multitude of courses.

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Rhian Milton-Cole

Post-Doctoral Research Assistant

Rhian is a postdoctoral research assistant and a qualified physiotherapist who joined the Bart’s Bone and Joint Health team in January 2024. Rhian recently finished her PhD in health services research where she was investigating hip fracture and depression and the role of current rehabilitation in this relationship using several different quantitative research methods. As an early career researcher, Rhian has been involved in research in the areas of fragility fractures and mental health and rehabilitation in older adult populations. She is also interested in the establishment of clinical academic pathways for AHPs, promoting research to student and clinical physiotherapists and exploring health inequalities in black populations.

Clinically, Rhian has worked in the areas of weight management, intensive care and neurological outpatients and is looking forward to joining the Barts Health trust and working with the orthopaedics team.

Outside of work Rhian can be found in the gym (in true physiotherapist fashion), buying new suits or baking.

Chair of AGILE, Chartered Society of Physiotherapists Professional Network of physiotherapists working with older people

Co-PI for a Royal Osteoporosis Society funded feasibility randomised controlled trial on objective physical activity measurement of outdoor mobility after hip fracture

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Jamila Kassam

Academic Strategic Lead

Jamila is Academic Strategic Lead, developing and operationalising the group strategy and overseeing our programme of research.  Since joining Bone & Joint Health in 2020 Jamila has enjoyed developing the infrastructure of the group, the opportunity to collaborate with brilliant colleagues locally and further afield and leading on public engagement. She is passionate about building a diverse and inclusive workspace, being part of a team who are committed to driving, meaningful change in public health. No two days are the same!  

Jamila is a physiotherapist who specialised in orthopaedics, loved the day to day work but also wanted to influence the bigger picture around patient care. Jamila moved into clinical research after being successfully awarded a Medical Research Council scholarship to complete a research Masters at Imperial. Previously, Jamila worked at Barts Health NHS Trust in orthopaedic research delivery. She developed and then led a successful orthopaedic research team, worked as a senior strategy manager and then managed COVID-19 research at the Nightingale Hospital.  

Outside of work Jamila is busy with her two young girls and baking things that are unnecessarily complicated! 

Noor Shamsinar “Sham” Binti Abd Jalal

Postdoctoral Research Assistant

PhD in Cell and Molecular Biophysics, MRes in Translational Cancer Medicine, BSc in Biochemistry

Sham is a postdoctoral researcher who has recently qualified for her PhD at King’s College London. She is currently working with Dr. Suzanne Eldridge in the ReGen group to validate the in-vitro and in-vivo functions of recombinant Agrin in models of osteochondral joint defects. Sham enjoys doing research within the multi-disciplinary department and working with researchers and clinicians of various backgrounds to further elevate and improve her research experience whilst contributing to the joint healthcare at the same time. She holds an MRes in Translational Cancer Medicine and a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biophysics from King’s College London, where she mainly focused on the biophysical aspects of mechanisms that drive cancer metastasis and progression.

During her PhD, Sham was appointed as a Postgraduate Student Representative, where she helped organise events such as the BMBS Postgraduate Symposium, social pizza nights and the Randall Centre Christmas party. She was also appointed as one of the Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) for undergraduate modules, where she held tutorials and gave laboratory demonstrations to first-year and second-year students. Outside of academic world, Sham enjoys painting, running and archery. She also volunteers at the Suka Society, a charity organisation that works to protect and preserve the best interests of vulnerable children in Malaysia.

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Ernie Long

PhD Student exploring a regenerative medicine approach for treating osteoarthritis

BSc Biotechnology, MRes Tissue Engineering Medicine

Ernie is PhD student currently developing and validating a novel therapeutic for the treatment of osteoarthritis. With a strong foundation in biotechnology, Ernie is driven to discover innovative ways of targeting osteoarthritis pathophysiology and to help alleviate the problems posed by this debilitating joint disease. In particular, he is focusing on ROR2 blockade to stimulate cartilage growth while shedding light on the intricate molecular pathways that underly the mechanism.

Ernie obtained his undergraduate degree in Biotechnology where he developed a strong interest in the field of regenerative medicine, prompting his choice to pursue an MRes in Tissue Engineering for Regenerative Medicine. Both degrees were obtained from the University of Manchester.

Following the MRes, Ernie transitioned into industry where he joined a dynamic biotech start-up for 3 years. Here, he played a pivotal role in the progression of a biopharmaceutical through GMP manufacture and into phase I clinical trials and gained extensive experience in performing cutting-edge translational research. Now he has returned to academia to have control of his own regenerative medicine project where he wishes to make significant contributions to field and to improve the livelihood of those suffering with osteoarthritis.

Kavi Patel

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Complex Trauma, Limb Reconstruction & Bone Infection Service

MBBS, PGCert (Med Ed), MSc, FRCS (Tr&Orth)

Kavi is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon specialising in the management of acute complex trauma and all aspects of elective lower limb reconstruction; including failed fracture fixation, non-union, deformity correction and bone infection. He is particularly driven by improving long-term outcomes in the polytrauma patient and works as part of an integrated orthoplastics service.

Having graduated from the Royal Free and University College Medical School, he completed his higher surgical training on the Cambridge rotation following which he undertook two post-CCT fellowships in complex trauma and limb reconstruction at King’s College Hospital (Graeme Groom) and St George’s Hospital (Alex Trompeter).

Kavi has authored a textbook chapter, multiple peer-reviewed articles and delivered international podium presentations in his field. He has also completed a full-time Masters in Surgical Science at UCL which culminated in the publication of basic science research. A keen educator, he holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education, is regular faculty on limb reconstruction/trauma courses and is a Senior Clinical Lecturer on the Orthopaedic Trauma Sciences MSc at the Blizard Institute. He is the fracture-related infection lead on the executive of the UK Bone & Joint Infection Registry.

As an Army Reservist, Kavi has a developing role in conflict/humanitarian surgery and orthopaedic trauma care in the austere environment. Outside of work, Kavi enjoys watching/playing sport, adventure travel (ideally in the mountains) and outdoor cooking.

Dr Daniela Cici

Clinical Fellow

MD

Daniela is a medical doctor with a specialist qualification in Rheumatology (CCST equivalent) and has recently joined the ReGen group as Research Fellow. Her project is part of the Barts Biomedical Research Centre Musculoskeletal theme, Osteoarthritis subtheme. It aims at identifying progression biomarkers and disease subsets of osteoarthritis to help bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and clinical practice, in the pursuit of advancing medical knowledge and transforming patient care.

Graduating from medical school in 2017, Daniela pursued knowledge and innovation. Through her work as a Rheumatology trainee in Italy, she gained extensive experience and expertise in the care of patients with rheumatic diseases, both in inpatient and outpatient settings.

As a trainee, she engaged in academic activities and scientific research, enjoyed giving lectures to medical students and presented her work at the Italian Society of Rheumatology congress. She contributed to several publications in international journals, including as first author. As part of her academic development, she joined the ReGen group as a visiting academic for 5 months earning an authorship in a seminal paper published on the prestigious EMBO Molecular Medicine.

Daniela is deeply committed to addressing the societal impact of osteoarthritis. Through her work, she aims to translate scientific knowledge into practical solutions that can improve the lives of those affected by this condition.

Additional Roles: Honorary Clinical Fellow – Rheumatology, Mile End Hospital

Sophie Parker

Trial Manager

MbChB, PGDipPaed 

Sophie recently joined the Barts Bone and Joint Team as a Clinical Trial Manager for the TiLLI Study. Prior to this appointment Sophie was working as a Clinical Trials Assistant at the Pragmatic Clinical Trials Unit. She brings to this role experience of working on several complex, large scale clinical trials of investigational medicinal products.

Sophie’s background lies in Clinical Medicine. She trained as a Doctor in New Zealand and has always been passionate about improving health outcomes through research. After relocating to London she decided to pursue her interest in research through clinical trials. She brings her drive and commitment to improving patient experiences from the hospital to the research setting.

In her free time Sophie enjoys running and exploring her new city (which if the weather permits can often be combined).

Jodie Hutchens

Senior Trial Manager

Jodie Hutchens recently joined the Barts Bone and Joint Team and the Pragmatic Clinical Trials Unit as a Senior Trials Manager. With a career deeply rooted in healthcare and clinical research, Jodie brings a genuine passion for the dynamic world of innovative trials aimed at enhancing patient outcomes. 

 In her current position, she plays a pivotal role in managing complex clinical trials, ensuring adherence to strict protocols and maintaining the highest standards of conduct, all of which promote patient safety and data integrity.  

Jodie’s journey into research began over 7 years ago, initially in a cell signalling laboratory. However, recognising her key strengths, she transitioned to clinical trial and data management, accruing valuable experience in both the NHS and academic settings.  

Outside the realms of research, Jodie enjoys the simple pleasures of life, such as leisurely walks with her four-legged companion, running (which is at more of a jogging pace), and occasionally embarking on culinary adventures, which may or may not result in a mountain of dishes. 

Raquel Baniquet

Orthopaedic Research Nurse

Raquel has been working as a nurse for 25 years having worked in different specialities – Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU), Post Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU), Operating Theatres, Occupational Health, Cancer Research, Cardiac Research and Trauma and Orthopaedics. Raquel is currently working as an Orthopaedic Research Nurse for Barts Health Trust.  Establishing rapport, assessing, planning, implementing, evaluating patient’s condition/well being is a great challenge but is certainly rewarding. Raquel enjoys giving tender loving care to patients most specially when they are really unwell and feeling down.  Raquel will continue to give care and focus on her role in Research as she knows that Research study is a way of finding new ways/interventions, drug and treatments for diseases.

Dan Church

Limb Reconstruction Specialist Physiotherapist

Dan Church is a Limb Reconstruction Specialist Physiotherapist working in the Limb Reconstruction Orthopaedic department at the Royal London Hospital. A well experienced physiotherapist who has a specialist interest in the inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation for patients post Orthopaedics, Trauma and Plastics surgery. Dan runs limb reconstruction specialist physiotherapy outpatient clinics, focusing on rehabilitation of patients with external fixation alongside all forms of limb reconstruction including orthoplastics management post trauma, bone infection and elective deformity correction procedures. With a keen interest in research, most recently publishing a systematic review of rehabilitation techniques for adults undergoing external fixation treatment for lower limb reconstruction in 2024.

Working closely with Consultants, CNS and Orthoplastics in an MDT in limb reconstruction clinics, whilst also supporting our cohort of patients through an inpatient enhanced recovery pathway for Limb Reconstruction at the Royal London Hospital.

Previous experiences include being the specialist physiotherapist for the trauma and orthopaedic department at the Royal London Hospital, whilst having extensive experience involving trauma and orthopaedics, major trauma, MSK outpatients, elective orthopaedics, neurosurgery and neurotrauma ACCU.

Paulien Bijlsma

Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon

MD, MSc

Miss Bijlsma joined the paediatric orthopaedic department in 2015. Her practice is mainly clinical and she is dedicated to helping children with congenital or acquired orthopaedic conditions in the best possible way. She has a special interest in the treatment of children with Cerebral Palsy and other neuromuscular conditions and she is part of the neuromuscular service which is a team with dedicated physiotherapists and occupational therapist who work closely with the local community services.  In addition she has a passion in treating children with clubfeet. As part of the Major Trauma Centre at the Royal London Hospital she manages complex fractures and injuries in children of all ages.

Miss Bijlsma studied Medicine at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, prior to completing her Orthopaedic Specialist training in Amsterdam.  Following being awarded the fellowship at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in the UK, she went on to complete 2 further fellowships at Great Ormond Street Hospital for children and at the Royal London Hospital. This has provided her with the opportunity to train under world class paediatric orthopaedic  surgeons.

To provide patients with the most up to date care she keeps her orthopaedic knowledge up to date by regularly participating in national and international courses and conferences. She is passionate in training future orthopaedic surgeons and is much involved in education and research in the department.

Ben Gabbott

Joint Research Fellow

Ben is an orthopaedic trainee on The Royal London Training Programme. He has an interest in lower limb arthroplasty and trauma. Outside of clinical work, he has an interest in research and academia, being successfully selected as the National Joint Registry Research Fellow. He is currently undertaking a PHD at Queen Mary University London, looking at the ‘Effects of Mental Health disorders on Total Knee Replacement Outcomes’. 

He has previously held regional leadership roles for his training programme. He enjoys teaching regularly and is faculty on national teaching courses. He was previously the lead organiser for an international trauma course in Sierra Leone. The trip won the ‘GASOC Global Surgery Prize 2021’ and the ‘ASIT global Surgery Award 2020’. He is the 2024 winner of the regional best of the best competition. 

Chris Bretherton

Trauma and Orthopaedics, NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer.

Royal College of Surgeons Associate Surgical Speciality Lead for Orthopaedic Trauma.

I am a Trauma and Orthopaedic Registrar and PhD student. I have enthusiasm and experience in collaborative research, leading projects including multi-centre audit, randomised controlled trials and priority setting partnerships. I am the past British Orthopaedic Trainees Association (BOTA) Academic Representative and the current chair of the Oxford Surgical Collaborative for Audit and Research (OxSCAR).

I am hoping the JLA Major Trauma PSP will build research networks to improve Trauma care for patients globally.

Livio Di Mascio

Consultant Upper Limb Orthopaedic Surgeon, hand orthopaedic and reconstructive surgery.

MBBS (London), FRCS Eng

Livio was the lead of the Upper Limb Orthopaedic Department at the Royal London Hospital for ten years and is a respected expert in upper limb and hand disorders within the UK. He has a particular interest in shoulder and wrist traumatic conditions and considerable expertise in their management and well as upper limb joint replacement surgery. Livio is currently the clinical director of orthopaedics.

Livio also has an interest in treating sporting injuries of the upper limb and continues to treat patients from the amateur to the elite athlete. He has a keen interest in research and is the co-investigator in national and internationally funded research. He is an invited reviewer for the Bone & Joint Journal and SICOT-J; and is a regular invited faculty on a number of national and international courses. He remains heavily involved in higher surgical training of his subspecialty areas and indeed has received multiple awards in recognition of his contribution to this.

Adrian Carlos

Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon, Shoulder & Upper Limb Surgery

MB ChB MSc(SurgSci) PgD(Orth) FRCS(Tr&Orth)

Adrian is a fellowship-trained Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in all aspects of the treatment of shoulder and upper limb disorders. Adrian consistently achieves excellent surgical outcomes using evidence-based treatments and minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery that allows patients to be safely treated as day cases. He believes in good communication, helping his patients to understand their condition and involving them in decisions regarding their treatment.

Adrian has a strong commitment to surgical training and has held the role of Royal College Surgical Tutor and is currently an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of London. Adrian is a faculty member for national and international courses in shoulder and upper limb surgery, as well as the FRCS exam. He is a regular guest speaker and an examiner for an MSc programme. His research interests are in shoulder and acromioclavicular joint surgery and he has published in several peer-reviewed journals and popular orthopaedic textbooks.

A North Londoner, he graduated from medical school at the University of Manchester in 1996. He completed his surgical training in London. He was appointed as a Research Fellow in 2001 at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. His research grant-funded study on nerve injury and pain culminated in an MSc degree from the University of London (UCL).

Adrian was trained in the London Orthopaedic surgical training programme and gained experience working in London’s top teaching hospitals. He has completed two years of specialist fellowship training in upper limb surgery and a prestigious travelling fellowship in advanced arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Adrian has been a substantive Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon since 2011. He was first appointed in Manchester and took up his post as Lead for Upper Limb Surgery at Barts Health Orthopaedic Centre in 2014.

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Claire Fitzgerald

CONSULTANT ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON

Miss Claire Fitzgerald is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon with a subspecialty interest in upper limb surgery.  She was appointed in 2015 and works across all 3 orthopaedic sites in Barts Health NHS Trust.   She graduated from UWCM Cardiff and completed her early surgical training in Wales.   She then joined the UCH London Registrar training programme and was awarded CCT in 2013.   She then completed 2 post CCT upper limb fellowships in London.  She has a particular interest in Shoulder and Elbow surgery and performs both open and arthroscopic reconstructive surgery.

Miss Fitzgerald has an interest in clinical education and was awarded a PGDip in Clinical Education in 2014.  She trains post graduate surgeons from their foundation years to completion of training.   She is a member of faculty on several FRCS level training courses and is a qualified ATLS instructor.

She has an interest in clinical research, and has co published in peer reviewed journals, and also had a key role setting up and initiating a NIHR clinical randomized controlled trial.  She continues to contribute to clinical research through the many NIHR clinical trials that Barts Health Orthopaedic are actively involved in.

Jaison Patel

Consultant specialising in lower limb surgery

Jaison Patel is a consultant specialising in lower limb surgery. He is highly trained and skilled in all aspects of knee surgery including total, partial and revision knee replacements, sports injuries of the knee, patellofemoral conditions and realignment surgery. He leads the North-East London Complex Revision Knee Arthroplasty Network.

Jaison completed his undergraduate training at Barts and The London School of Medicine. He continued his higher surgical training on the East of England training programme where he rotated through hospitals including Addenbrookes in Cambridge. He completed his fellowship training at the world-renowned Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford.

Jaison is passionate about educating the future generation of surgeons. He completed further training in Healthcare Education at the University of Warwick and held many educational roles, including Regional Clinical Supervisor for The University of Cambridge Medical School. He is a regular faculty member on national knee surgery courses and has written chapters for orthopaedic textbooks.

Jaison provides his patients with the best evidence-based treatments. He is actively engaged in research, having published multiple studies in medical journals and is frequently invited to present at international conferences. The delivery of better care to patients is at the heart of Jaison’s ethos and drove him to complete a healthcare leadership and management course with University of Cambridge Judge Business School.

Having grown up in North-East London, Jaison is well placed to understand the patients he cares for. Jaison is able to provide high quality, personalised care and communicates with his patients in a way that is easy to understand.

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Lauren Exell

Group Executive Assistant

Lauren thoroughly enjoys supporting academics and senior members of staff. She assists with the preparation and organisation of multiple projects, as well as overseeing the groups social media outputs, public engagement, and departmental finances. Managing our social media and online content working with patient, clinical and academic groups to ensure our work has wide reach, Lauren is passionate about patient and public engagement and the benefits of working with the public in developing research.

Lauren began working in administration in 2014, where she worked as a Medical Secretary for the NHS.  She developed an interest in clinical academia and after 4 years with the NHS joined the University of Oxford as a Personal Assistant. During this time Lauren’s role and responsibilities expanded providing administrative support to one of the largest academic groups within the Division of Medical Sciences in addition to coordinating the well-established National Institute of Health trauma trials research conference.  Lauren was thrilled to take on a new role at Queen Mary University of London as executive assistant to the newly established Bone & Joint Health clinical academic group led by Professor Xavier Griffin.

Lauren coordinates the group’s public engagement activities working with organisations and individuals across East London to ensure the public are involved in the co-production of research from developing research questions, research design and sharing research findings.

Outside of work, Lauren enjoys running and has taken part in many events across England. She has also played for various football teams, including Oxford City ladies.

Catherine Hilton

NIHR Pre-Doctoral Clinical Academic Fellow – Physiotherapist 

Catherine is an experienced physiotherapist who has worked across a variety of settings in NHS Trusts since 2007. She specialised in pelvic health physiotherapy before successfully obtaining a fellowship with the NIHR and completed a Clinical Research Master’s Degree at King’s College London. She joined Barts Health NHS Trust in 2015 and has played an important role in successful research grants and developing the clinical research structure of the orthopaedic team. She hopes to continue to contribute towards clinical research education and the development of further clinical academic roles, supporting efficient implementation of evidence in orthopaedic care.   

 Catherine currently holds an NIHR PCA Fellowship and her research is focusing on the best ways to enable patients to achieve their rehabilitation goals. She enjoys finding out about what patients need, what their questions are and working to design research that can provide solutions. She is working with the Bone & Joint Health public advisory group to develop an NIHR CDRF (PhD) research project investigating the best ways to support patient recovery. 

Seyi Oni

Clinical Lead for MSK Outpatient Therapies and BHOC Inpatient Therapies – NUH

Bsc(Hons) Physiotherapy, PG Cert Advanced Physiotherapy, MCSP

Seyi is a physiotherapist from Newham. He grew up in the area and lives locally, and he is passionate about using his skills and experience to serve this particular community.

Seyi is an Advanced Practice Physiotherapist and the Clinical Lead for the therapy teams in Musculoskeletal Outpatients and the Barts Health Orthopaedic Centre (BHOC) Newham University Hospital. He has oversight of the teams that provide post-operative care and rehabilitation for patients within the elective orthopaedic hub. He also manages the Outpatient physiotherapy service at NUH where many of these patients continue their rehabilitation and return to function. This team also includes Pelvic Health, Paediatrics and Hand Therapy. Seyi has a clinical role as an ESP alongside T&O and within the physiotherapy service.

Seyi is particularly driven and motivated when it comes to supporting and enabling staff to provide the best care possible. He actively promotes staff well-being and is part of the Trust’s Diversity & Inclusion Working Group. Seyi has a passion for teaching and bringing high quality healthcare provision to this part of East London.

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Catherine Borra

Research Physiotherapist

BA, BSc, MFA, PgCert

Catherine Borra joined the team as a research associate in 2019, after working as a clinical lead physiotherapist in pain management and women’s health. She has an interdisciplinary background – including the humanities and medical anthropology –  which forged her interest in mixed-methods and exploring intersectionality within health research.

At Barts Health, she works on a range of NIHR portfolio studies, randomised control trials and observational studies – and is leading a project on diversity within orthopaedic research. She is passionate about public involvement, narrative medicine and modelling social variables in population-representative health datasets.

In addition to her work, Catherine is a PhD candidate at University College London. Her project investigates the relationship between persistent pain and the menopause, using epidemiological and ethnographic methods. She teaches at higher education level at UCL and elsewhere.

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Prim Achan

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

MBBS, FRCS (T&O), FRCS (Eng), Masters in Healthcare Leadership

Prim Achan is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon with vast experience in complex Hip and Knee surgery. He is a former Clinical Director of Orthopaedics and Plastic Surgery and has been the Training Programme Director for the Percivall Pott programme for over 10 years. After finishing at Mill Hill School, Prim trained at Barts as a medical student, a house officer and as a registrar. He completed fellowships in New York and Queensland before his consultant appointment at Barts in 2005. He is the consultant lead for leadership development at the trust, has a masters from Cornell and completed the INSEAD European Healthcare leadership programme. He currently runs courses at the Kings Fund and lectures extensively on Leadership, Training as well as complex hip and knee surgery. His clinical scope of interest runs from sports injuries of the hip and knee through to complex young adult and revision arthroplasty of both the knee and hip. He has published in peer reviewed literature across this space including first in human trials, translational and basic science papers to being a principal investigator in clinical trials.

He has given international lectures at Stanford, Harvard and Duke and was a 2009 British Hip society travelling fellow, and a 2014 ABC travelling fellow. He also sits on the Trauma & Orthopaedic SAC.

Outside of work He is married with two young boys and has a passion for sport (Cricket, Golf @DenhamGC, Tennis @Hurlingham), photography, Painting, Fine dining and wine amongst other things.

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Kes Sri-Ram

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

BSc, MBBC, MRCS(Eng), FRCS(Tr&Orth), PgCert

Kes Sri-Ram joined Barts Health in 2014, and is based mainly at the Whipps Cross site, where he was the clinical lead between 2015 and 2021.  His interests lie within lower limb surgery, treating conditions involving the hips, knees and feet and offering a high quality, patient-centred approach.

Kes completed his medical degree at University College London, completed his basic surgical training in North London and underwent his specialist orthopaedic training on the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital training programme. He then undertook further sub-specialist training on several fellowships including Sports Trauma and Knee Surgery (North Sydney, Australia), Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery (Wycombe and Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, UK) and Trauma (St Mary’s Hospital, Major Trauma Centre, UK).

Kes regularly teaches on courses and presents at national and international meetings. He has several publications in specialist peer reviewed journals, and also reviews articles. He has also authored chapters in books and is the editor of the highly successful text book ‘Postgraduate Orthopaedics – MCQs and EMQs for the FRCS (Tr&Orth)’ published by Cambridge University Press.  He also has an interest in service development and clinical leadership. He has completed a masters level postgraduate certificate in Innovation and Improving Performance and a level 7 qualification in Strategic Management and Leadership with the Chartered Management Institute.

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Jonathan Ward

Consultant orthopaedic surgeon

BSc (Hons), MBBS, FRCS (Tr &Orth)

Jonathan has particular interest in complex trauma and reconstruction around the pelvis, hip and knee and lower limb fragility fractures. He has a keen interest in education and training and is a regular faculty member with Orthopaedic Research UK and the QMUL Trauma Sciences programme.

Jonathan has more than 10 years’ experience conducting clinical research and his research endeavours have centred primarily around hip reconstruction and the management of fractures around the hip socket and pelvis.

Jonathan graduated from Imperial College London and trained on the Birmingham Orthopaedic Training Programme based at the specialist Royal Orthopaedic Hospital. Following completion of his orthopaedic training he continued as a fellow at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital working with pioneering experts focusing on hip and knee joint reconstruction prior to completing a year as the Pelvic & Acetabular and Complex Arthroplasty Fellow at the Royal London Hospital. This sub-speciality training has enhanced his ability to deal with the crossover between joint reconstruction for arthritis and trauma, and the challenges relating to fractures around previous implants.

Jonathan was born and raised in London where he continues to live with his young family. He is a keen rugby and motorsports fan, and can often be seen being taken for a walk by his two large dogs!

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Peter Bates

Consultant orthopaedic trauma

FRCS (Ortho) and BSc (Ortho Science)

Pete is an orthopaedic trauma surgeon, subspecialising in pelvic, acetabular and lower limb long-bone/periarticular fractures.  His practice is entirely trauma (with a bit of non-union) and his passion is around educating current and aspiring surgeons in fracture care.

Pete loves teaching the technicalities of fracture fixation but he also strongly encourages discussions around indications, pre-op planning and post-op management. These latter points are the core of our specialty.  Pete loves polytrauma and the complex melange of decision-making that goes on around it.  He is a mentor, an encourager of progression and an enabler of growth and development.

Pete is an honorary senior lecturer at QMUL and lead faculty for the, ‘Orthopaedic Trauma Sciences’ MSc, providing online, distance learning to budding trauma specialists. Pete’s passion is teaching, enthusing the next generation of trauma & orthopaedic surgeons. Outside of work Pete is most likely to be found building something, doing DIY, mountain biking or unwinding whilst eating a pie!

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Ali Noorani

Consultant Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgeon, Shoulder, Elbow & Upper Limb

Ali Noorani is a consultant orthopaedic and trauma surgeon specialising in shoulder and elbow surgery. A particular authority on sports injuries and trauma, he has treated many elite sportspeople, including Premier League footballers, professional cyclists, boxers and mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship competitors. Ali sees a multidisciplinary approach as the best way to treat patient’s upper limb problems. Well-known for adopting a holistic, patient-centric approach, only 20% of his patients will go on to have surgery.

Working together with a team of physiotherapists, he takes a meticulous approach to patient rehabilitation. When surgery is required, he uses his expertise in minimally invasive techniques to get his patients back to day-to-day activities as possible. He was the UK team doctor for the American National Basketball Association (NBA) and orthopaedic doctor for the American National Football League (NFL) and the Rugby World Cup (2015). For Ali, being an orthopaedic surgeon allows him to have a perfect job and values the impactful relationship he has with his patients.

Throughout his career Ali has been involved in several aspects of clinical research. More recently research in AI algorithms to offer predictive models in healthcare. The research that Ali is most proud of is the opportunity to look at big data and mitigate for race and gender bias that is often missed a normal routine medical research

Ali qualified from Imperial College School of Medicine in London in 2000 and completed my orthopaedic and trauma training at the prestigious Royal London Hospital Rotation.

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Lisa Newington

Clinical Lecturer – Hand Therapy

Lisa is an accredited hand therapist (British Association of Hand Therapists) and joined the Bart’s Bone and Joint Health team in September 2023. Lisa is a mixed methods researcher and an advocate for research opportunities for clinicians from the professions alongside medicine (nursing, midwifery, allied health professions, healthcare science, pharmacy and psychology – NMAHPPs). Lisa led the development of an impact capture framework for research active NMAHPPs within the NHS and looks forward to supporting research awareness, engagement and activity for these professions at Barts Health NHS Trust. 

 Lisa’s clinical research interests focus on rehabilitation after hand and wrist injury or other non-traumatic conditions. Lisa currently holds a Postdoctoral Research Grant awarded by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Charitable Trust. This research explores how hand therapists can support their patients to remain in or return to work.   

 True to the physiotherapist stereotype, in her spare time, Lisa can usually be found outdoors running, cycling or swimming.  

Chris Bretherton

Academic Clinical Lecturer

Chris is an NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer and SpR in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery on the Royal London Hospital Rotation, having recently being awarded a DPhil from the University of Oxford. He has enthusiasm and experience in collaborative research, leading projects including multi-centre audit, randomised controlled trials and priority setting partnerships (PSP). 

When not #Collaborating – you’ll find him climbing the walls or throwing down with the University Mixed Martial Arts club! 

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Katie Sheehan

Professor of Rehabilitation

Professor Sheehan is a physiotherapist and health services researcher. Her research focuses on improving access to- and delivery of- quality rehabilitation to optimise outcomes of fragility fractures in older adults. She has a strong track record in secondary analysis of linked audit data, qualitative interview studies, and complex intervention development to meet this focus.  

Professor Sheehan is available for predoctoral, doctoral and postdoctoral supervision in the fields of bone and joint health, rehabilitation, and health services research. 

Professor Sheehan has published over 60 peer-reviewed journal articles and been awarded more than £1.9 million as lead in grant funding from UKRI, NIHR, and charities for her research. Her teams work on early mobility and access to physiotherapy after hip fracture surgery has informed quality improvement initiatives both nationally and internationally. Her subsequent work led to the development of the ‘Stratify-Hip’ algorithm to risk stratify patients after hip fracture. This algorithm is now being used to inform a stratified approach to rehabilitation within the UK’s National Health Service. 

Professor Sheehan facilitated the establishment of TROOP (Trauma Rehabilitation (orthopaedic) for Older People), a Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement Group whose mission is to support patient and carer informed research to improve the lives of older people who have experienced orthopaedic trauma. 

Research interests: 

1. Access, delivery and outcomes of rehabilitation after fragility fracture 
2. Stratified approaches to rehabilitation  
3. Observational data analysis (competing risk, prediction modelling, causal inference) 
4. Qualitative interview studies 
5. Development of complex interventions 

Josh Cosgrove

Research Physiotherapist

Josh is a musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapist focused on providing person centered care to all individuals. He began his career as a junior physiotherapist at Kings College Hospital and then specialised in MSK physiotherapy and has worked in East London since.

Josh has a variety of experience within in the NHS which includes working in orthopaedic services, chronic pain, general MSK outpatients and private practice treating individuals with sports injuries. After completing his MSc, he was able to publish a study on physiotherapists and the management of low back pain. This is what sparked his interest in research and he was keen to pursue a career in MSK and orthopaedic research.

Josh has begun a new role at Barts Health which is split between Bone and Joint Health at the Royal London Hospital and the Sports and Exercise Medicine department at Mile End Hospital. Within this role, he is involved in the research delivery of NIHR funded studies, patient and public engagement and involvement, local recruitment activities and data collection.

In the future, Josh would like to explore different avenues of research with the aim of improving the outcomes of those suffering from low back pain and reducing health inequalities. Outside of work Josh likes to spend time with his young family, going for long bike rides in the countryside and playing golf.

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Bina Shah

Trial Manager

Bina’s primary responsibility involves overseeing a multi-site frozen shoulder feasibility study sponsored by Barts Health NHS Trust. Her interest lies in exploring the intersections of health, community, and the factors that influence them.  

Prior to joining Barts Bone & Joint team, she held roles in both academia and industry. Initially engaging in academic research before transitioning to the industry for drug development in the field of neuroscience bridging the gap between laboratory research and clinical application. In 2012, she transitioned into trial management, initially spearheading an observational study for patients with Parkinson’s Disease, funded by the Michael .J. Fox Foundation at Imperial College London. Subsequently, she managed a diverse portfolio of NIHR studies, including randomised control trials and biomarker research, on surgical trials at University College London.  At Queen Mary University of London, she partners with the Barts Bone & Joint Health team, ensuring engagement at workshops dedicated to Patient Public Involvement and Public Engagement.  Her passion lies in conducting research, working alongside a wide-ranging patient population across the UK and internationally, all in the pursuit of advancing health research. 

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Joanna Fletcher

Research Physiotherapist

Joanna has worked in the orthopaedic research team since 2022, where her role is primarily to recruit patients to NIHR portfolio studies. Barts Health has one of the most active orthopaedic research teams in the country, providing patients with the opportunity to take part in wide variety of research studies. Joanna is a musculoskeletal physiotherapist by background, working in outpatient clinics, with elite sports and in women’s football before starting her role in orthopaedic research. Throughout this experience Joanna has developed an interest in women’s health and performance, particularly from a research perspective. Throughout her clinical practice Joanna’s passion is in rehabilitation and inclusivity in exercise and physical activity participation throughout London. 

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Robert McNay

Research Physiotherapist

Physiotherapy (BSc) (2020)

Robby is presently working as a rotational Band 6 physiotherapist with a keen interest in research, especially in the field of Orthopaedics.

Robby is working in a split clinical and non-clinical role, wherein he dedicates half of his time to immersing himself in on-going studies and the latest research. This involves tasks such as collecting and analysing data, as well as recruiting and randomising patients to studies. The remaining half of his time is devoted to working with patients in elective orthopaedics. The driving force behind his endeavours is the notion of cultivating and promoting a universal research culture, particularly amongst his peers. His main interest revolves around the comparison between surgical treatment and conservative management, such as physiotherapy, as well as exploring how physiotherapy is changing to meet the demands of the current digital age.

In his spare time he enjoys capoeira, kickboxing, running and learning Portuguese.

Sebastian Dawson-Bowling

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

MA, MSc, LLM, FRCS(Tr&Orth)

Sebastian Dawson-Bowling specialises in all aspects of lower limb surgery, especially primary and revision hip and knee replacement, and sports injuries. He also works within the Royal London Hospital major trauma service.

As Barts clinical network director since 2017, he has led development of subspecialist centres of excellence at the Royal London (trauma and complex surgery), Newham (Barts Health Orthopaedic Centre) and Whipps (fragility fractures). In 2020 he was appointed Chair of the North East London Orthopaedic Network. He was voted 2018 regional Orthopaedic Trainer of the Year.

Following undergraduate studies at Cambridge University, he undertook specialist training at Guy’s and St. Thomas’, the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (Stanmore) and Hospital for Special Surgery (New York). He commenced his current post in 2014.

He has authored 3 textbooks, over 20 papers and numerous book chapters on orthopaedics, trauma and medical law. He holds Master’s degrees in Orthopaedic Science and Law, frequently acting as an expert witness in litigation cases.

A keen innovator, he collaborated with fellow experts across Europe on designing the new DREAM hip implant now manufactured in Milan, Italy.

He sits on editorial boards for Bone and Joint 360, and the National Joint Registry (monitoring implants, surgeons and hospitals).

Mr Dawson-Bowling is married to a psychiatrist, has two children and lives in Sussex. Pastimes outside work centre largely around food, wine, opera and spending time with his family and their two Yorkshire terriers. A former Cambridge University and GB oarsman, he maintains an interest in exercise and training.

Dimitrios Manoukian

Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon

MD, MSc (Sports Medicine)

CCT in Trauma & Orthopaedics 2015, MSc in Sports Medicine
Currently studying: Diploma in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

Dimitris practice is dedicated to the treatment of general paediatric orthopaedic / musculoskeletal problems, including hip dysplasia, congenital talipes equinovarus, guided growth, skeletal dysplasia and trauma. He has developed a specialist interest in sports injuries, especially knee problems, including patella instability (recurrent patella dislocations) and meniscal pathology.

Dimitris qualified from University of Patras-Greece, School of Health Sciences Medical school and subsequently underwent orthopaedic training both in Greece and UK. He completed paediatric orthopaedic fellowships in Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. He has a Master’s Degree in Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health from University College of London.

After completing his fellowships, Dimitris was appointed as a Consultant at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge NHS Trust, before moving to a joint post between the Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust and Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust.

Dimitris has published in peer reviewed journals and presented at both national and international meetings. He also participates regularly in training higher surgical trainees in the diagnosis and management of paediatric orthopaedic problems.

Outside work Dimitris enjoys spending time with his young family. He is a keen basketball and tennis player and has previously trained in 110-metre hurdles. He is a true believer of the benefits of regular exercise and enjoys running, swimming, cycling and healthy Mediterranean diet.

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Rachel Ahmad

Orthopaedic Trauma Clinic Nurse Specialist at Whipps Cross Hospital

Rachel is an orthopaedic trauma clinic nurse specialist at Whipps Cross Hospital in a team which cover the orthopaedic trauma coordination, virtual fracture clinic and patients with fractured neck of femurs.

Rachel qualified as a nurse in 2000 and has worked within the orthopaedic / trauma setting since. With a brief break to set up a surgical day unit for dentistry and general surgery requiring a longer post-operative stay than a conventional day case centre.

Rachel has worked her way from being a ward staff nurse to a ward manager and then a clinical nurse specialist, covering both elective and trauma orthopaedics, providing teaching to staff on orthopaedic and fragility care.

Rachel has been actively involved in the designing of the processes and protocols for Whipps Cross being the fracture neck of femur centre for Barts Health and continues to strive to improve the management of patients with neck of femur fractures, liaising with other specialities and designing a training programme for care of fragility neck of femur fractures which is being implemented on the orthopaedic wards.

Alexios Dimitrios Iliadis

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Orthoplastics, Bone Infection Service, Limb Reconstruction

MBBS, BSc Sports & Exercise Medicine, FRCS Eng (Tr&Orth)

Alexios Dimitrios is strongly driven by the opportunity to deliver a specialist, major trauma service for the NHS serving a diverse and multi-cultural population. His clinical interest is in complex lower limb trauma and management of bone deformity, infection, defect and non-union

Alexi is passionate about delivering clinical research and is a principal investigator for the NIHR funded SOLARIO trial. His research portfolio includes numerous publications in leading peer reviewed journals and international presentations. He is committed to advancing his field through clinical-academic collaborations with leading units.  He is trained in the application of Ilizarov technique, software assisted hexapod frames and intramedullary limb lengthening devices.

He qualified from Barts and The London School of Medicine completing his Trauma and Orthopaedics training with the prestigious Percival Pott rotation. Throughout training and fellowship, he worked in leading London Major Trauma Centres and Limb Reconstruction Units including the Royal London Hospital, The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

He is teaching faculty at various regional and international courses including our MSc in Trauma Sciences and delivers training in developing countries. He is our Unit’s lead on the joint Limb Reconstruction Fellowship with the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. He is a member of the British Limb Reconstruction Society and AO Trauma.

Tom Clutton-Brock

I am Professor of Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine at the University of Birmingham but have retired from clinical practice.  From January 2013 I have led the NIHR Trauma Management Health Technology / Med Tech Cooperative.  In 2016 I was named one of the top 100 most influential drivers of the health technology revolution, globally, and in 2017 became the Director of the Medical Devices Testing and Evaluation Centre (MD-TEC).  In 2020 I volunteered to support the UK Government’s “Ventilator Challenge” using MD-TEC as a central testing facility.  In 2021 I was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours for services to the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jasmin Rahman

My name is Jasmin Rahman. I am of Bangladeshi origin and I am a mother to 3 children. I am an expert with lived experiences and sit as a PPI Member on various research projects.

Lauren Exell

Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London

Lauren Exell is an Executive Assistant to Professor Xavier Griffin and the Bone and Joint Health group. She assists with the preparation and organisation of multiple projects, as well as overseeing the groups social media outputs, public engagement, and departmental finances. Managing our social media and online content working with patient, clinical and academic groups to ensure our work has wide reach, Lauren is passionate about patient and public engagement and the benefits of working with the public in developing research.

Steve Bell

Consultant Paramedic, North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Steve is the Consultant Paramedic within the Medical Directorate at North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust.  As part of his portfolio Steve is the Research Lead for the organisation with responsibility for setting the strategic direction for research and developing the Trust’s research portfolio through collaboration and participation in both NIHR Portfolio and non-portfolio studies.  Steve is a member of the National Ambulance Research Steering Group (NARSG).  Steve is also the Consultant HEMS Paramedic for the North West Air Ambulance Charity with responsibility for clinical governance and assurance; as part of this role Steve is clinically active undertaking regular clinical shifts as part of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) team.

Lower Limb

The lower limb service within Barts Bone and Joint Health offers the full range of care for patients with lower limb conditions. We have a long, rich heritage of innovation, training and research in orthopaedics.

Our service is located at the Barts Health Orthopaedic Centre (BHOC), our dedicated elective orthopaedic centre, the Royal London Hospital, providing complex orthopaedic care alone and Whipps Cross University Hospital delivering our centre of excellence for hip fractures.

Our consultants work together within a multidisciplinary team to deliver optimal care offering expert opinions from a group of experienced and caring surgeons.  We treat the full spectrum of orthopaedic complaints including degenerative joint disease, sporting and traumatic injuries, developmental conditions, inflammatory joint problems, bone and joint infections and metastatic bone cancer. Surgical procedures include arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery of the hip and knee; partial, total and revision hip and knee replacements, including custom made joint replacements, pelvic reconstruction operations and osteotomies for deformity correction.

We offer complete care to children and adults from our local area as well as patients from across the UK and internationally. Each consultant has fellowship-level expertise to ensure we provide patients with the highest possible level of care.

Our service is integrated with the academic orthopaedic department, a dedicated fellowship programme and the Percivall Pott and Royal London Hospital training programmes. We deliver world-class training to doctors from the UK and abroad from the start of their careers to the most senior surgeons developing specialist skills.

Young Adult Hip

The Young Adult hip Service is a subspecialty of orthopaedic surgery, treating young patients (usually <40yo) with painful hip conditions such as femoro-acetabular impingement, Hip instability, deformity, sports injury, avascular necrosis and degenerative conditions.

We aim to preserve native hip joints by treating the area of injury, for example labral tear by arthroscopic or key-hole surgery and addressing underlying bony deformity and compromised biomechanics with bony procedures. When degenerative changes are too severe for hip preservation, we offer hip resurfacing or replacement, by minimally invasive techniques or using tailor-made implants where indicated.

Our unit is based at the Royal London Hospital and Barts Health Orthopaedic Centre.

Our consultant surgeons, including Paul Lee, Josh Lee, Pramod Achan, Sebastian Dawson-Bowling, Gareth Scott, Professor Manoj Ramachandran, are skilled in various hip preservation, resurfacing and replacement techniques and work closely with specialist musculoskeletal radiologists and physiotherapists.

The unit engages and contributes to research and innovation with publications in areas of joint preservation and arthroplasty surgery. We run formal and informal teaching sessions for specialist training surgeons, for GP surgeries and for allied healthcare provider colleagues. Our referral pathway for primary, secondary and tertiary care is illustrated below. Our point of contact for enquiries is: najura.ahmed@nhs.net

Upper Limb

Our team of experienced surgeons treat the entire spectrum of upper limb disorders and traumatic injuries. Our aim is to enable patients to return to an active, pain free lifestyle as quickly as possible. We aim to provide our patients with the best possible experience throughout their treatment journey. Our surgical team is led by fellowship trained and internationally recognised consultant surgeons.

We provide world class care for the full range of musculoskeletal disorders, from the shoulder to finger-tip, and are a regional hub and tertiary referral centre for complex elective disorders and trauma in the upper limb.

We work very closely with specialist colleagues in Plastic Surgery as well as the Trusts specialised Therapy services.

We have 2 international fellowships in advanced upper limb surgery.

Seeing patients making a full recovery is the most rewarding aspect of our practice. Teaching how we achieve this and sharing our experience with our trainees is an important aspect of our unit’s work. Our team maintains cutting edge orthopaedic knowledge and are regularly invited to share our knowledge and experiences at international meetings. We host 2 of London’s prestigious orthopaedic training programs (Percivall Pott and Royal London) and work closely with QMUL, where several of our team hold honorary senior lecturer positions and are MSc faculty members.

We are proud to be at the forefront of orthopaedic research. We are involved in several national (NIHR) trials and other internationally funded studies. We strive to promote innovation and advances in bone and joint health.

Foot & Ankle

Our highly specialist team offer the full spectrum of care for all foot and ankle disorders, including treating some of the most challenging conditions. Our aim is to offer individualised, patient-centered care, working collaboratively to improve the quality of lives of our patients.

Our fully comprehensive service treats conditions including bunions and lesser toe deformities, sports injuries, deformity around the foot and ankle and arthritis. As one of Europe’s busiest trauma centres, we also see and treat high volumes of foot and ankle trauma, specialising in high energy injuries and complex fractures.

Using the latest imaging techniques, such a standing CT scanning, we are able to offer detailed diagnosis of problems and thorough planning of treatment, including specialist surgery. All of our consultants have undertaken advanced fellowship training in foot and ankle surgery, both nationally and internationally, becoming highly skilled in the latest surgical techniques including minimally-invasive and arthroscopic surgery and joint preservation techniques including total ankle replacement.

The unit receives surgical trainees from around the region, as well as running a highly competitive, nationally-recognised fellowship training programme. Our consultants represent a number of specialist societies including the European Foot & Ankle Society (EFAS), the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS), contributing to education, international collaboration and innovation in orthopaedics. Our team are passionate about research and education; publishing widely on all aspects of foot and ankle surgery and acting as faculty on numerous courses and lectures worldwide.

Limb Reconstruction

Limb reconstruction is a subspecialty of orthopaedic surgery, treating complex orthopaedic conditions such as complex lower limb trauma, bone infection, malunion, non-union (where the bone does not heal or does not heal correctly), large bone defect treatment and skeletal deformities including short limbs. 

All limb reconstruction procedures in our unit, based at the Royal London Hospital, are tailored individually to our patients. We follow established surgical principles and use a variety of internal implants or external frames to reach the best possible outcome for our patients.   

Our orthopaedic consultant team is led by Mr Heidari who works closely with Mr Vris and Mr Iliadis and is complemented by our clinical nurse specialist, Ms Jade Brien and our limb reconstruction physiotherapist, Mr Daniel Church.  Our multi-disciplinary team works closely with plastic and vascular surgeons, microbiologists, endocrinologists, musculoskeletal radiologists, podiatrists, clinical pharmacists, clinical nurse specialists and physiotherapists.  

We have established and published our own breakthrough technique for all-internal bone transport in the femur. We collaborate closely with the limb reconstruction unit in the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, running a joint international fellowship, a monthly meeting for challenging case discussion and sharing research best practice.  

We believe that training and education is key and run regular limb reconstruction training courses for junior surgeons as well as our other broader team members.  We support charity work abroad by donating all our reusable hardware to areas affected by conflict and / or developing countries.  

Paediatrics

The paediatric orthopaedic department at Barts Bone and Joint Health delivers all aspects of children’s orthopaedics and trauma. At the Royal London Hospital, we have dedicated clubfoot, paediatric and adolescent hip, multidisciplinary sports and comprehensive neuromuscular services. We also run routine multi-disciplinary one-stop baby hip clinics for babies with hip dysplasia and manage complex paediatric deformity clinics. 

All paediatric orthopaedic and trauma procedures in our unit are tailored individually to our patients. For complex cases, there is a weekly MDT where collaborative decisions are taken as to the best intervention. Our orthopaedic consultant team consists of 5 surgeons: Manoj Ramachandran, Claudia Maizen, Paulien Bijlsma, Gregory Firth and Dimitrios Manoukian, providing a comprehensive paediatric orthopaedic and trauma service. Along with our two dedicated clinical fellows, our multidisciplinary team works closely with senior physiotherapy practitioners, plaster technicians, occupational therapists, anaesthetists, theatre nurses, endocrinologists and musculoskeletal radiologists. 

We are constantly innovating in terms of our clinical workflow algorithms, operative techniques and novel projects in digital and devices. Our research output is extensive and we have a large global network of top tier teaching hospitals with which we collaborate. We have a strong background in charity work abroad, having set up a charitable foundation, with frequent treatment and training trips to countries such as Ghana.  

Multiple Injured Patients

For over 25 years, The Royal London Hospital (RLH) has been the UK’s premier Level-1 trauma centre, dealing with the most severely inured patients in London. RLH remains by far the busiest centre in the UK and hosts London HEMS service on the helipad.  

Patients who have been involved in hugely traumatic (so-called ‘high-energy’) injuries come to us with many different problems; from the immediately life threatening (for example, massive blood loss or severe head trauma) to the long-term disabling (such as fractures, dislocations and loss of limbs).  The collection of trauma specialists within the hospital are leading experts within each of their respective fields at managing these conditions, working together with a fluidity that has been developed and fine-tuned over decades.   Care of the severely injured patient is absolutely our expertise and much of our time is spent training those future trauma specialists, who will go on to do awesome work elsewhere in the future, passing on the knowledge. 

On the orthopaedic side, our primary goal is to get patients back to as close to their pre-injury level of function as possible.  When almost every major region the body is broken, it takes a huge amount of collaboration, expertise and familiarity to make sure surgery is done to the very highest standard, such that the rehab process can start and patients can begin returning to their lives. 

Spine

The spine team at Barts Bone and Joint Health provides the complete range of adult and paediatric spinal services. The team are leaders in treating degenerative spine disorders, spinal deformity, scoliosis, back pain and disc disease. We are a specialist regional centre for spinal trauma and are leading the way in the treatment of spinal injury. One of the few combined orthopaedic and neurosurgical departments in the UK, our team treats patients from around the world and is able to offer cutting edge technology including navigated surgery, computer aided implants and robot operations to ensure the best outcome for every patient. 

The department acts as the hub for the North East London and Essex Spinal Network, taking the leading role in education and research in the region. Benefitting from one of the only academic spinal groups in the UK, the service consistently works towards discovering new ways to manage patients with spinal disorders using the wealth of experience and the large, diverse population in London and Essex. Regular publication of peer reviewed papers, international presentations and pioneering undergraduate and postgraduate education, Barts Bone and Joint Health spine team is setting the standard for 21st Century spinal care. 

Kostas Tsitskaris

Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon (Hip & Knee)

MD MSc FRCS (Tr&Orth)

Kostas is passionate about delivering the best possible outcomes for his patients. He believes that effective communication and a thorough understanding of a patient’s individual circumstances, are key to successful long-term outcomes. His clinical interests include primary and revision hip and knee surgery, arthroscopic knee surgery and the management of general and complex trauma.

In addition to his clinical work, Kostas maintains a strong academic interest. In 2014, he completed a Masters (MSc) in Trauma and Orthopaedics at University College London. His research thesis examined corrosion and wear in total hip replacements. His ongoing research work includes, among others, the position as the local principal investigator for three national studies. He has published more than thirty manuscripts, abstracts and book chapters and has given presentations at some of the most prestigious orthopaedic conferences. He is a reviewer for several journals, including the Bone and Joint Journal.

Kostas is the orthopaedic lead for the hip and fragility fracture service, the reconfiguration of which will dramatically reshape the provision of care for these conditions. With the advent of the orthopaedic integrated care system, the repercussions of this transition will ultimately affect the majority of residents of North East London.

Kostas completed his specialist orthopaedic training on the UCH / Middlesex training programme. He then undertook two highly regarded specialist fellowships, first under Prof Michael Dunbar in Canada and then at the Barts Health Orthopaedic Centre and the Royal London Hospital. He had further fellowship experience from visiting centers of excellence for hip and knee surgery, such as the Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.

Follow Kostas on londonlowerlimb.com.

Ben Okafor

Consultant Orthopaedic and Spine Surgeon

Ben has a particular interest in Complex Spine surgery. Appointed in 1998, Ben introduced community-based spine musculoskeletal services, and pioneered the East London Spine service with introduction of major elective Spine Surgery at Whipps Cross University Hospital and collaborative working with the Royal London Hospital, providing undergraduate and postgraduate training in orthopaedics and complex spine as a clinical, educational supervisor, and GMC appraiser.

Ben has held various leadership roles within the trust in education, governance, trauma, infection, patient safety and Clinical lead for Orthopaedic service. He has performed several thousand spine procedures as well has large volume of general trauma and Orthopaedic surgeries.

Ben graduated from St. Bartholomew’s Medical School, London University and completed training for the Royal College of Surgeon of England fellowship at Charing Cross Hospital, St Mary’s Hospital and Royal Brompton Hospital. Orthopaedic Specialist Surgical training took place at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital/Royal Free Hospital Rotation. Throughout his education and training he has gained the following qualifications: MBBS London University/St Bartholomew’s Medical School 1987, Certificate of completion of specialist training, FRCS, and FRCS. ORTH.

Ben holds Spine Fellowship at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and University College London/Middlesex Hospital; travelling fellowship and spine surgical skill education in Spine Surgery various overseas centres.  He is also a member of, North American Spine Society, British Spine Society, British Scoliosis Society, British Orthopaedic Association, AO Spine Association, British Medical Association and Nigerian Spine Society and Visiting Spine Surgeon Nigeria.

Mahesh Pimplé

Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon

MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics), PG Dip Orthopaedic Engineering, FRCS (Orth)

Mr Pimplé has been working at Barts Health for the past eight years, providing highly specialised care for complex hand and wrist, elbow and shoulder conditions. He has been able to develop a premier service with his team which includes Specialist Physiotherapists, Hand Therapists and Nurse Practitioners. The focus has been to create a patient-friendly environment to make a difference in the health and wellbeing of the local community. Seeing patients regain their function and return to work or sports has been the driving force. Innovative ideas and latest techniques are used for constant improvements with better patient outcomes. He has been able to provide keyhole and minimally invasive surgery for a variety of musculoskeletal problems followed by early rehabilitation with appropriate therapy. The academic support has enabled him to present research in national and international meetings and publish studies in peer-reviewed journals.

Mr Pimplé is an Educational supervisor for Surgical trainees and an Appraiser for GMC registered doctors. He is in the faculty for Regional and International courses for training surgeons and health professionals.

Rej Bhumbra

CONSULTANT ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON

PhD, FRCS (Tr & Orth), MA (Int Rel)

Rej Bhumbra has been working as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon for ten years. He is an experienced, dedicated and caring doctor specialising in hip, knee and trauma surgery. He did his undergraduate training at St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School (now Imperial College) and has completed fellowships in Toronto, Birmingham, London and Mumbai.

He obtained a First in the Orthopaedic Sciences BSc at UCL and his PhD was awarded the Gold Medal for the best new innovation at the British Orthopaedic Association. He has authored multiple papers and books in the field of Global Health, Orthopaedics and Trauma. He was an editor at the British Medical Journal and has an interest in Health Technology and Artificial Intelligence for medical, radiological and surgical applications.

Additionally, he has been a device specialist for the MHRA and works as an Associate Medical Director at DePuy Synthes specialising in Medical Device Regulation. He has completed an MA in International Relations and Affairs, and is passionate about philanthropy and education from both within and outside the City of London.

He plays the drums, golf, cycles, skis and enjoys time outdoors with his wife and two, not so young, children.

Syed Aftab

Consultant Spinal Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Royal London (Barts Health NHS Trust)

MA Cantab, MBChB, FRCS (T&O), MSc

Syed Aftab believes that the best outcomes for patients can only be achieved when decisions are carefully considered and works within the framework of a multidisciplinary team. He is the Clinical Effectiveness Lead for Orthopaedics at the Royal London and is actively involved in teaching other doctors, nurses and allied health professionals.

Syed has been pioneering the iMAS technique in the UK, using micro access techniques developed by Dr Robert Masson at Neurospine Institute, Orlando, USA (a Federally accredited Centre of Excellence). He is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London. He teaches and organises the spinal teaching programme for postgraduates studying trauma and orthopaedics.

Syed has published widely in a number of peer-reviewed medical journals and is actively involved in research into spinal surgery. He has presented at national and international conferences.

Syed studied medicine at Pembroke College, Cambridge University and Edinburgh University. He underwent higher surgical training in Orthopaedics and Spinal Surgery on the London NE Thames rotation at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore.

He also gained a Master of Science at University College London in Trauma and Orthopaedics during his training. Syed completed advanced fellowships in Spinal Surgery at the Royal London Hospital. Furthermore, he continues to broaden his experience with visitations to international centres of excellence for spinal surgery (Antwerp Belgium, Bordeaux France, Neustadt Germany and Orlando USA).

Catherine Hilton

Specialist Research Physiotherapist, Barts Health NHS Trust, UK

Catherine is a specialist research physiotherapist within orthopaedics undertaking an NIHR PCA Fellowship. Her research is focused on helping patients with complex injuries get the best from their healthcare and rehabilitation.

Catherine is an experienced physiotherapist who has worked across a variety of settings in NHS Trusts since 2007. She completed a Clinical Research Master’s Degree at King’s College London in 2014. She has worked within the orthopaedic clinical research team at Barts Health NHS Trust for the past 7 years caring for patients within clinical trials and helping to form patient involvement groups for research grant proposals.

Angelos Kolias

Consultant Neurosurgeon and Clinical Senior Lecturer, Addenbrooke’s Hospital and University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Angelos Kolias is a Consultant Neurosurgeon and Clinical Senior Lecturer in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Addenbrooke’s Hospital and University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. His clinical interests include neurotrauma, surgery for brain tumours, spine surgery, and general neurosurgery. In the field of trauma, he is the Co-Chief Investigator of four NIHR-funded randomised trials and the Associate Director of the NIHR Global Health Research Group on Neurotrauma.

Rebecca Wood

Research Physiotherapist

Bsc (Hons) Physiotherapy

Becca has worked with the orthopaedics research team since 2021, primarily recruiting participants to a range of NIHR portfolio studies, as well as assisting with the set-up and coordination of these trials across Barts health sites. She qualified as a physiotherapist in 2013, pursuing a career in rehabilitation services across a number of NHS trusts before moving into her full time research role.

Becca is passionate about providing the best care for patients, using evidence to develop services to best meet the needs of our local patient population, and allowing patients to achieve the best outcomes.

Jonathan Gower

JLA Adviser

After spending many years as a biomedical researcher, Jonathan moved into research management and has worked in Research Council, University and NHS settings. After moving from London to Leeds, he joined the NIHR in 2007, establishing the Comprehensive Clinical Research Network which involved setting up 25 regional research networks and overseeing the delivery of a large portfolio of research studies across 24 clinical specialties. Most recently he was the Assistant Specialty Cluster Lead for Cancer, Surgery and Oral & Dental Health in the NIHR Clinical Research Network.

With over 25 years of experience networking with charities, the public and private sectors, Jonathan is passionate about improving the access of patients, their carers and the public to research which makes a real impact on people’s lives.

Caroline Leech

Emergency Medicine, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust

Caroline is a Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Prehospital Emergency Medicine, with a specialist interest in major trauma and resuscitation.

Caroline is the current Clinical Lead for the Midlands Trauma Network and University Hospital Coventry Major Trauma Centre. She is Chair of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine PHEM-PAG,  Executive Member of the Faculty of Pre-hospital Care, and Associate Editor of the Emergency Medicine Journal.

Justine Theaker

Consultant Physiotherapist, and integrated Clinical Academic, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Justine Theaker is a Consultant Physiotherapist, and integrated Clinical Academic at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. She specialises in Orthopaedic and Major Trauma clinical care, rehabilitation and research.  She is currently a PhD Research Fellow with the Research in Osteoarthritis in Manchester (ROAM) team, based at Manchester University Medical School. Her research is also focussing on Major Trauma with contribution to networks of the National Major Trauma Nursing and Rehabilitation Group, the National Major Trauma Research Group and the Association of Trauma and Orthopaedic Chartered Physiotherapists.  She is the AHP Lead Research Champion for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

Rachel Jenner

Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital

Rachel is a Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Group Associate Medical Director for Quality and Safety at Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. She is also the Clinical Director of the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit.

Rachel’s interests include paediatric trauma, patient safety and experience and injury prevention.

Sarah Norris

Specialist Occupational Therapist in the Major Trauma Rehabilitation Service, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals, UK

I am a specialist occupational therapist working in the major trauma rehabilitation service in Newcastle upon Tyne. I work with people following orthopaedic trauma, and sometimes people with brain injuries, or spinal injuries. I work on a specialist 10 bedded rehabilitation unit. Here, I support people to return home by working with other occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, speech and language, and a social worker, as well as the patient and their family/friends/carers

Caroline James

Physiotherapist and Polytrauma patient, Cardiff

I qualified as a Physiotherapist in 2010 and have experience in a wide range of specialities in the NHS.

In 2019 I was working as a specialist trauma Physiotherapist on an acute spinal ward, when whilst out cycling I was hit by a car and sustained multiple injuries. Since then I have undergone intense rehabilitation and have returned to work within orthopaedics.

My experience has increased my passion for improving rehabilitation within major trauma.

Kemi Buahin

Orthopaedic Trauma Nurse Specialist

BSC Adult Nursing

Kemi is an orthopaedic nurse specialist at Whipps Cross University Hospital. She is part of a team of specialist nurses who help to co-ordinate the orthopaedic trauma cases, review and create care plans for the fracture neck of femur patients, take part in the virtual fracture clinic and also give advice to orthopaedic patients at home who call the orthopaedic nurse trauma phone.

Kemi began her Nurse Training in 2011 at the University Of West London. After she qualified she began working on elective and trauma orthopaedic wards, as a staff nurse and was later promoted to ward sister. Whilst working on the wards, Kemi also took on the role of surgical development nurse. In this role she was able to teach and guide junior staff on how to nurse orthopaedic patients to a high standard.

Kemi has a passion for orthopaedics, enhanced recovery and ensuring patients receives high standards of care. Kemi is excited to be a part of the orthopaedic team at BARTS Health NHS Trust, and is looking forward to continuing to deliver high standards of care to the patient.

Jade Brien

Clinical Nurse Specialist for Limb Reconstruction

Jade Brien is the lead Clinical Nurse Specialist for Limb Reconstruction within the largest Major Trauma centre at The Royal London Hospital.  With over 10 years’ experience and interest in treating complex limb reconstruction in both adults and paediatrics she is working to gain her Masters in surgical care practice.

Jade is a significant member of the Limb Reconstruction multidisciplinary team, contributing to the enhanced limb reconstruction pathway for limb reconstruction inpatients and running nurse led outpatient clinics. Jade has been instrumental in shaping the service delivery and providing direct care for complex trauma, bone infection  and congenital deformities patient group.  With a background working  as a senior nurse on the plastics and trauma ward Jade has extensive experience and skill caring for complex wounds and works closely within the orthoplastic team.

Jamie Lloyd

Research Physiotherapist

Jamie’s primary role is to recruit patients to research trials running at Barts Health. A musculoskeletal physiotherapist by background, he has previously worked in outpatient clinics across London before moving into a research role in 2021. Prior to qualifying as a physiotherapist he completed a sport and exercise science degree, in addition to working with elite athletes at the South Australian Sports Institute, Adelaide. Since working within the NHS, his interests have evolved to encompass what contributes to good musculoskeletal health across our population, and how we can achieve this.

Outside of work Jamie enjoys tag rugby, languages, and spending time with his house rabbit.

Jessica Pawson

Lead Research Physiotherapist

Bsc Physiotherapy, MCSP

Jessica manages a team of healthcare professionals who recruit patients across Barts Health Hospitals to Orthopaedic Research trials. Jessica’s role involves the set up, coordination and management of NIHR portfolio trials across the Trust. Barts Health has one of the most active orthopaedic research teams in the country, providing patients with the opportunity to take part in wide variety of research studies.

Jessica enjoys seeing a project progress from an idea, to a study and then be implemented into clinical practice, to benefit patients with Orthopaedic conditions. Her personal passion is the rehabilitation of patients through strength and resistance training after Orthopaedic injuries. Alongside this Jessica is also very interested in how we best serve the diversity of our population of patients in East London and striving to make research as inclusive as possible. She is also very interested in tendon pathologies and the role rehabilitation has to play in recovery.

Jessica studied Physiotherapy (Bsc hons) at Birmingham University and specialised in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy before moving full time into research.

Follow Jessica on Twitter.

Melissa Webb

Physiotherapy, Melbourne, Australia

Melissa has over 25 years of clinical practice in Trauma Physiotherapy at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, Victoria Australia, where she currently works as the Allied Health Team Leader in Trauma and Orthopaedics overseeing the development and co-ordination of a specialised allied health workforce providing an intensive therapy model of care for acute trauma and orthopaedic patients.

Melissa has completed a Masters in Health Science, Graduate Certificate in Burn and Trauma Rehabilitation and a number of dedicated trauma professional development courses.  She has also completed a clinical fellowship analysing the practice of physiotherapists in major trauma centres in the US, Germany and Switzerland.  Her special interests include chest trauma management, trauma models of care and the role of physiotherapy and allied health within the acute trauma multidisciplinary team and how this impacts on patient outcomes and survivorship.

Dayone Trauma Charity, UK

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Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, UK

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Dayone Trauma Charity, UK

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Trauma and Orthopaedics, Capetown, South Africa

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Clinical Psychology, British Colombia, Canada

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Vascular Surgeon, Barts and the London NHS Trust, UK

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Xavier Griffin

Trauma and Orthopaedics, Barts and the London NHS Trust, UK, PSP Lead

Professor Xavier Griffin spearheads academic orthopaedics at QMUL and Barts Health, having joined in August 2020 as the inaugural chair of Bone & Joint Health. Xavier’s vision is for worldclass excellence in research and clinical academic training; providing opportunity for the next generation of clinician scientists to realise their aspirations.

Xavier is a NIHR Clinician Scientist and has been awarded over £10m of research funding.  His research interest is in clinical and cost effectiveness of musculoskeletal trauma interventions.

Gordon Fuller

NIHR Health Data Science Fellow, University of Sheffield, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

I work clinically in the Northern General Major Trauma Centre Emergency Department. Academically I have a diverse range of research interests in emergency and critical care, including major trauma, traumatic brain injury and sports related concussion. Previous collaborators include TARN and the Victoria State Trauma Registry. Major trauma projects have included clinical trials (Packman) and observational studies (MATTS, TARN/VSTR, HTA studies).

Fiona Lecky

Emergency Medicine, Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust, UK

Fiona Lecky is Clinical Professor in Emergency Medicine at CURE (the Centre for Urgent and Emergency Care Research) in the School of Health and Related Research at the University of Sheffield, Honorary Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Salford Royal Hospital and holds an Honorary Chair as Research Director of the Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN) at the University of Manchester and Research Professor of the Humanitarian Conflict Response Institute (HCRI). She chaired the 2014 update of the NICE Head Injury Guideline and has been a member of the International Federation for Emergency Medicine Research Committee since 2010.

Fiona has a 60/40 commitment to her University and clinical roles. She supervises under and postgraduate research students and is a lead investigator in international multicentre trauma research initiatives which are her major research interest.

Elaine Cole

Nursing, Barts and the London NHS Trust, UK

Dr Elaine Cole is the Director of Research and Innovation for the London Major Trauma System and a Senior Lecturer in Trauma Sciences at Queen Mary University, London. Her research interests include the pathophysiology of organ dysfunction and adverse outcome in severely injured patients, predictors of recovery in older major trauma and trauma systems. As a Chief Investigator she has led the design, delivery and dissemination of multisite studies, is a member of the Data Monitoring Committee of the CRASH4 Trial and is the co-chair of the UK National Major Trauma Nursing group.

Edward Caruana

Thoracic Surgery, University Hospitals of Leicester, UK

Mr Edward Caruana is a Consultant in Thoracic Surgery at the Glenfield Hospital in Leicester. He undertook his cardiothoracic specialist training in the United Kingdom and China, alongside additional postgraduate qualifications in surgical innovation and medical education. His clinical and academic interests include chest trauma and pain management.

David Stockton

Trauma and Orthopaedics, Shock Trauma, Baltimore, USA

David is an academic orthopaedic trauma fellow at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, Maryland. David completed orthopaedic residency at the University of British Columbia and concurrently received a Master of Biomedical Engineering during that time.

David has an interest in orthopaedic clinical and basic science research particularly with regards to challenging fractures of the proximal and distal femur. He is committed to the improvement of musculoskeletal care in low- and middle-income countries and has led a randomized trial for the treatment of open tibia fractures in rural Uganda.

Daphne van Embden

Trauma Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, the Netherlands

Dr. van Embden in a consultant trauma surgeon, trained in The Netherlands. She finalized her PhD in hip fracture surgery. After her specialist training she did a fellowship at the Royal London Hospital. Currently she works as a consultant trauma surgeon at the major trauma center in Amsterdam. Her special fields of interest are pelvic and acetabular surgery and complex fractures in severely injured trauma patients. Daphne is a honorary clinical lecturer at the Queen Mary University of London. She is involved in several research projects of Global Surgery Amsterdam and her special research interest  is pelvic fractures.

Daniel Axelrod

Trauma and Orthopaedics, McMaster, Ontario, Canada

My name is Daniel Axelrod, and I’m a senior resident at McMaster University, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

I am interested in functional outcomes following major trauma, and have completed a masters in clinical epidemiology during my residency training. I will be completing fellowships in both trauma and lower extremity reconstruction.

Ceri Battle

Physiotherapy, Swansea Hospital, UK

Ceri is a Consultant Physiotherapist in Morriston Hospital and an Honorary Associate Professor in Emergency Medicine Research at Swansea University Medical School. She is co-speciality lead for Trauma and Emergency Care Research in Wales, and the AHP representative on the NIHR Incubator for Emergency Care Research.  Her main research interest is management of blunt chest wall trauma and she is the chief investigator of the Health and Care Research Wales funded STUMBL and ELECT trials. She is currently completing a Health Research Fellowship, developing co-produced guidance for patients with blunt chest wall trauma discharged home directly from the Emergency Department.

Claire Jackson

Specialist Registrar in Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospitals Birmingham

Claire Jackson is a Trauma Nurse Coordinator at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and is also the Deputy Clinical Lead and Governance Lead for the Wessex Trauma Network.  Prior to starting her current role in 2013 Claire worked as an Emergency Department nurse for 15 years, working her way up to Matron level.

Yesmin Begum

Coming from a Bangladeshi background and living in the East End of London it gives me the opportunity to project the voices of the BAME Community to make research more diverse and inclusive. I am a member of various Community Groups including The UCL Co-Production Team, Katies Team, East London NHS Foundation Trust, NIHR Academy PPI Member and more. I am a PPI Co Applicant member on grant applications for Frozen Shoulder, Brain Fog, Bone Health and Long COVID. I possess plenty of traumatic life experiences to share and develop medical research.

Sithombo Maqungo

Head: Orthopaedic Trauma Service. Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town

Sithombo is an Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Cape Town. His main clinical and academic interests include the care of polytraumatised patients, high energy trauma, treatment of gunshot injuries as well as pelvis/acetabulum surgery. He has a passion for advocacy and social determinants of injury in his role as the clinical lead for Trauma Care and Injury Prevention within the Division of Global Surgery, University of Cape Town.

Shan Martin

With over 30 year’s corporate experience, operating as HR Director at Executive level, my career has spanned many different industry sectors, including manufacturing, financial services, defence, science and nuclear, technology and services.
Following a serious accident in January 2015, my recovery has been achieved through the expert medical care within the NHS, my own self-belief and determination and the amazing support from my family and friends. I play an active role in support of the continuing development of major trauma rehabilitation and represent patients on various national and local NHS England forums, as well as presenting my story at various conferences.

Scott Johnston

I am a Peer Supporter for Day One – which involves talking to trauma patients to give support and encouragement in their recovery journey.

I am an ex-patient who experienced a shattered pelvis and multiple rib fractures after a fall from height and so can offer some personal insight into the thoughts and worries of trauma patients.

I live in Leeds and spent a career in IT Project Management – though have now given up full time work

Sarah Hendrickson

Director, Center for Health Resilience & Trauma Recovery Center, The MetroHealth System, Cleveland, Ohio

Sarah is a PhD candidate through Ohio University where she also obtained her Master of Education in Counseling degree. Her research is focused on optimizing patient recovery after traumatic injury and associated psychological/moral trauma. She designed a foundational framework for trauma recovery services that coordinates, tracks and measures peer mentorship, functional recovery, quality of life, and health resilience. She has contributed to evidenced-based discoveries and implementation of practices, while managing a multi-disciplinary Trauma Recovery Center program grant. Sarah is a member of multiple associations including the American Trauma Society’s National Trauma Survivors Network Advisory Committee and the Orthopeadic Trauma Association.

Robert Hirst

Emergency Medicine, University Hospitals Briston & Weston Trust, PSP Information Specialist

I am the current Trainee Emergency Research Network (TERN) Fellow with the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, a Visiting Fellow at the University of West England (UWE) and an emergency medicine trainee. I have experience in collaborative research, research prioritisation exercises and patient and public involvement with the network.

I hope the JLA Major Trauma PSP will set out the key research priorities and help drive innovative research for the future.

Rayner Maayen

Trauma Surgery, Medical Spectrum Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands

Rayner is a consultant surgeon and specializes in general trauma and orthopaedic trauma. He finished surgical training in Leiden and subsequently completed a trauma and orthopaedic fellowship in London.

He currently works as a general and orthopaedic trauma surgeon at Medical Spectrum Twente, a major trauma centre in The Netherlands.

Rayner is the trauma surgery training programme director and also employed as a military surgeon.

Naomi Davis

Children’s Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, UK

Naomi is a children’s orthopaedic surgeon at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.  She is co-lead for the North West Children’s Major Trauma ODN and chairs the Northern and National Children’s Rehabilitation Boards.  She sits on the TARNlet Board and represents children’s care on the Disability and Rehabilitation CRG and JSC for Rehabilitation, having previously been in a similar role for the Major Trauma CRG.  She advises on planning for mass casualty care for children.  Her research includes the identification and management of children’s needs for rehabilitation and return to school after traumatic injury.

Mary Breslin

Research and Program Advisor, Center for Health Resilience, The MetroHealth System, Cleveland, Ohio

Mary received her Master in Public Health degree from Baldwin Wallace University. She has collaborated on dozens of multi-institution and interdisciplinary research projects at a level I trauma center. Her research focus has been primarily in orthopaedic trauma patient outcomes and psychosocial recovery after physical injury. Currently, she leads the research and evaluation efforts of the Centers for Health Resilience and Trauma Recovery to include designing, facilitating, and overseeing projects as well as writing, presenting, and publishing their work. She is a member of the Orthopeadic Trauma Association and the American Public Health Association.

Louise Johnson

Clinical Psychology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Dr Johnson completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Leeds in 2015. She is a senior clinical psychologist at Leeds General Infirmary. Dr Johnson provides clinical psychology input to the Leeds Major Trauma Centre, Orthopaedics and Plastic surgery departments. Dr Johnson’s specialist interests are trauma, limb reconstruction and paediatric orthopaedics. Her current research interests include quality of life and psychological functioning following limb reconstruction, the psychological impact of major trauma, and emotional wellbeing in major trauma clinicians. She is a member of the National Major Trauma Centre Psychology Network and a committee member of Day One major trauma charity. Dr Johnson is the British Psychology Society representative for the British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Trauma.

Karim Brohi

Vascular Surgeon, Barts and the London NHS Trust, UK

Consultant Trauma and Vascular Surgeon at Barts Health NHS Trust, and Professor of Trauma Sciences at Queen Mary University of London, and the Director of the Centre for Trauma Sciences.  Director of the London Major Trauma System for NHS England, and a Non-Executive Director of the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

Ian Greaves

Emergency Medicine, South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust, UK

I am now semi-retired after a career as a military consultant in the British Army, but continue to work part time at the Regional Major Trauma Centre, James Cook University Hospital Middlesbrough.  I hold a personal chair from the University of Teesside and my interests lie in the areas of prehospital care, major trauma, blast and ballistic injury and major incident management.   I was head of the Emergency Medicine Cadre across the three Armed services for most of the war in Afghanistan and edited the official history of the Defence Medical services in the Iraq and Afghan conflicts.  I have published widely in my areas of interest and am currently chairman of Trauma Care UK and responsible for their published trauma management guidelines.  I examine for the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care and the Royal College of Emergency Medicine.

Heather Vallier

Trauma and Orthopaedics, Case Western Reserve University, USA

Dr. Heather Vallier is Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Case Western Reserve University and the inaugural C. L. Nash M.D. Professor of Orthopaedic Education. She was awarded Orthopaedic Educator of the Year in 2020 by Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Vallier has received many research grants and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium. She is the Past-President of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association and is a Deputy Editor for the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. In 2013 she founded the Trauma Recovery Services program at the MetroHealth System and has served as the Medical Director since that time.

Hamez Gacaferi

Trauma and Orthopaedics, Oxford University Hospitals Trust, PSP Information Specialist

Hamez is a Dunhill Medical Trust (DMT) Research Training Fellow and a Junior Doctor in Trauma and Orthopaedics. He studied Medicine at Leiden University in the Netherlands and is currently a PhD student in Musculoskeletal Sciences at the University of Oxford. After finishing his PhD, he plans to enter Trauma and Orthopaedic training in the Netherlands.
In addition to his PhD duties and clinical work, he has co-led several collaborative Trauma projects within the Oxford University Hospitals Trust as part of the Oxford Surgical Collaborative for Audit and Research (OxSCAR) committee.

Akshay Patel

Specialist Registrar in Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospitals Birmingham

Akshay is a specialist registrar in thoracic surgery and clinical lecturer at the University of Birmingham. He is one of the Royal College of Surgeons Associate Surgical Specialty Leads (aSSL) in thoracic surgical research. Most recently he has completed his CRUK clinical training research fellowship in lab-based research exploring the immunobiology of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Lee Parker

CONSULTANT AT THE ROYAL LONDON HOSPITAL & BARTS HEALTH ORTHOPAEDIC CENTRE

Lee Parker specialises in treating disorders of the adult foot and ankle including trauma and sports injuries. His practice prioritises patient responsiveness and integrated care. He works collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team, often finding non-surgical solutions to the management of common foot and ankle conditions.

Lee is the sub-specialty lead for foot and ankle surgery and runs a fellowship programme. Lee trained on the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital rotation before undertaking an advanced fellowship training in foot and ankle surgery focusing on arthroscopic ankle and hindfoot surgery.

He has been a European Foot and Ankle Society travelling fellow and reviews manuscripts for publication in their journal. Lee has also been a recipient of the W.J. Little medal for foot and ankle research from Stanmore’s Seddon Society and regularly collaborate and publish research into foot and ankle disorders from our foot and ankle unit at Barts Health NHS Trust.

Lee is passionate about teaching foot and ankle surgery and regularly participate as faculty on foot and ankle courses. Lee is a member of the British and European Foot and Ankle Societies as well as the British Orthopaedic Association.

Caitlin Bush

Associate General Manager – Orthopaedics

Bachelor Public Health, Master Health Administration

Caitlin started her career in health management as an Australasian College of Health Service Management Trainee in 2013. In Australia, she worked in remote and tertiary acute hospitals, as well as for the New South Wales Agency for Clinical Innovation.

Following her move to the UK, Caitlin worked for the National Operations and Delivery Directorate at NHS England for four years before starting at the Royal London Hospital in the Major Trauma service. Caitlin has been working in Orthopaedics since June 2020.

Samantha Kelley

General Manager

MA(Cantab), MA, MSc

Samantha manages the Orthopaedics and Plastic Surgery services at the Royal London Hospital. She joined the NHS through the graduate management training scheme in 2012, and spent her first 7 years in the NHS in Exeter, managing a variety of services there including Orthopaedics.  She joined Barts Health in 2019.

Ramesh Nadarajah

CONSULTANT ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON

MBBS, FRCSOrth

Ramesh is an experienced Adult and Paediatric Spinal Surgeon specialising in Complex Spinal Reconstruction. His area of interest primarily focuses on spinal deformity especially early onset scoliosis, neuromuscular spinal conditions and growth modulation surgery.

Ramesh qualified from University of London (The Royal London Hospital and St Bartholomew’s Medical School) and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. He currently practises part time at Barts Health having previously held joint consultant appointments at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children and The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.

Ramesh continues to provide a dedicated tertiary spinal deformity service to patients from South East of England and from other spinal units for patients with complex spinal disorders. The focus of his work is to improve the diagnosis, management and long-term outcomes for patients with a spinal disorder for patients of all ages.

At Barts Bone and Joint Health Unit, Ramesh works with colleagues with a similar focus on spinal disorders providing collective expertise through teaching, training and research for advancements in spinal surgery.

Rajesh Mangattil

Consultant Spine Surgeon

FRCS(Gen) MCh(Orth) FRCS(Orth) MBA

Mangattil Rajesh is a consultant Spine Surgeon specialising in minimally invasive surgery and deformity corrections. He finds the meticulous planning and execution of that plan in the delivery of care for patients most rewarding – providing opportunity for personal growth whilst benefitting patients and trainee surgeons.

Mangattil is the lead for Clinical Governance for Trauma & Orthopaedics. In this role, he ensures accountability for continuously improving the quality of our services and safeguarding high standards of care.

Barts Health WeCare values – Welcoming, Engaging, Collaborative, Accountable, Respectful and Equitable – has influenced Mangattil’s conduct at work. This ethos is reflected in every interaction with patients, their families, colleagues and team members.

Mangattil is interested in clinical research, particularly when it improves tangible clinical outcomes that can be translated into clinical practice that benefit patients. He is currently involved in spine deformity research in scoliosis.

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Graham Robbins

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, complex primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty. Deputy Orthopaedic Clinical Network Director Barts Health

FRCS (Orth)

For over twenty years, primarily based at Whipps Cross University Hospital, Mr Robbins has been involved in developing hip and knee replacement services for the population of North East London.

His orthopaedic training was on the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and University College London/Middlesex Hospital rotations. Following extensive training at centres in the UK and the Vancouver Joint Reconstruction Fellowship in Canada, he developed an interest in complex primary and revision joint replacement (arthroplasty).

He has been responsible for the introduction of new surgical techniques and modern revision arthroplasty systems at Whipps Cross, as well as developing enhanced recovery protocols to facilitate faster recovery after surgery.

With research interests in optimising patient outcomes in joint replacement surgery and the treatment of orthopaedic infections, he has written peer reviewed publications in the UK and North America.

His strong commitment to training the joint replacement surgeons of the future, helps them to develop the skills to achieve consistently good outcomes.

He has been heavily involved in the integration of orthopaedic services across the different hospitals of Barts health, particularly the development of the centralised hip fracture service at Whipps Cross to improve patients experience and outcome.

When not at work he is likely to be found fixing things or out walking his dog.

Swee Chai Ang

Consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon (upper limb)

Swee Chai Ang, Consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon, is a passionate advocate of humanitarian medicine and has worked for the UN and WHO in addition to founding a charity providing medical aid. Born in Penang, Malaysia Swee grew up and studied in Singapore. In 1973 she obtained her medical degree with silver medal, and in 1976 her master’s in occupational medicine with gold medal, at the University of Singapore.  She joined her husband in exile in London in 1977, and became a refugee herself.

She obtained her FRCS (Eng), and completed her orthopaedic surgical training in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Northeast England.  She is the first woman orthopaedic consultant appointed to the St Bartholomew’s Hospital since its foundation in 1123.

In the eighties and early nineties, she took time out to work as trauma and orthopaedics consultant in the refugee camps of Lebanon and later for the United Nations and World Health Organisation in Gaza and the West Bank. She is Co-Founder and Patron of British Charity Medical Aid for Palestinians.

She also treated the victims of the Pakistan (Kashmir) earthquake, and as consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon operated on the victims of the 7 July 2005 suicide bomb victims in the Royal London Hospital.

Swee is co-author of War Surgery Field Manual, Acute Care of the War Wounded, Hamilton Bailey’s Emergency Surgery, in addition to other orthopaedic publications, also wrote From Beirut to Jerusalem documenting her experience in the Palestinian Refugee Camps in Lebanon and Gaza. She spoke world-wide and told her personal story on Making a small difference | Ang Swee Chai | TEDxUCLWomen.

Catherine Hilton

NIHR Clinical Academic Fellow and Physiotherapist

Bsc, MRes, MAACP

Catherine is a specialist research physiotherapist within orthopaedics undertaking an NIHR PCA Fellowship. Her research focus is aimed towards helping all patients get the best from their healthcare and rehabilitation.

Catherine is an experienced physiotherapist who has worked across a variety of settings in NHS Trusts since 2007. She specialised in pelvic health physiotherapy before successfully obtaining a fellowship with the NIHR and completed a Clinical Research Master’s Degree at King’s College London. She joined Barts Health NHS Trust in 2015 and has played an important role in successful research grants and developing the clinical research structure of the orthopaedic team. She hopes to continue to contribute towards clinical research education and the development of further clinical academic roles, supporting efficient implementation of evidence in orthopaedic care.

Catherine currently holds an NIHR PCA Fellowship and her research is focusing on the best ways to enable patients to achieve their rehabilitation goals. She enjoys finding out about what patients need, what their questions are and working to design research that can provide solutions. She is working with the Bone & Joint Health public advisory group to develop an NIHR CDRF (PhD) research project investigating the best ways to support patient recovery.

Alexandros Vris

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Limb Reconstruction and Lead for Orthopaedic Trauma

MD

Alex is a passionate advocate of technological innovation. When safe, preferring to treat his complex patients with all-internal methods, avoiding the discomfort of external frames.

In his daily practice Alex deals with complex injuries and post traumatic complications such as bone infection, deformity and non-union. He is an expert in the application of the Ilizarov technique, the use of hexapod software assisted fixators and limb lengthening and bone transport with magnetic telescopic internal devices.

His vision is to establish and publish treatment protocols for these difficult conditions that would help less experienced surgeons deliver high standard quality of care.

Alex is passionate about humanitarian medical aid and provides teaching to surgical teams working in countries that have been affected by conflict. Alex through his charitable work, leads surgical teams treating patients in emergency settings and those that have no access to functioning healthcare as a result of conflict.

He enjoys teaching and is faculty in AO UK and AO international, as well as honorary lecturer in the QMUL.

Alex qualified in Greece and completed limb reconstruction fellowships in Kurgan, Russia, the Royal London Hospital, the Oxford Bone Infection Unit and the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals. He has also completed a post CCT foot and ankle and diabetic foot fellowship in King’s College Hospital in London.

He is a member of the British Limb Reconstruction Society, the British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, the European Bone and Joint Infection Society and AO Trauma.

Elizabeth Dunn

LEAD CLINICAL NURSE FOR ORTHOPAEDICS AND PLASTICS TRAUMA AT THE ROYAL LONDON HOSPITAL

Dip HE Registered Nurse, Postgraduate Certificate in Surgical Care Practice

Liz Dunn manages a team of specialist orthopaedic and plastics specialist nurses, trauma co-ordinators and allied health professionals. Her main passion and focus is to facilitate excellent patient care and enhanced recovery to reduce length of stay. Liz was awarded a certificate and badge of recognition on International Nurses Day 2021 for her extraordinary service and dedication to her profession.

Liz started her career in 1997 and qualified as a nurse in 2000. She received a postgraduate certificate in Surgical Care Practice in 2016. Most of her career has been in orthopaedic trauma, working as a ward staff nurse and sister until 2013.

During 2013, Liz was seconded into a role to support a failing trust put into special measures following a CQC inspection. This 12-month post involved working on wards to improve patient care, staff education and training. One of the most challenging aspects of this role was to support the ward teams who were inevitably experiencing tremendous low morale.

Liz has been actively involved in many improvement projects, one of which was to reduce the incidence of hospital acquired pressure sores, supported by McKinsey. She developed and implemented individual care plans which addressed nutrition and mobility and measured a 60 percent reduction on completion of the 3-month project.

Liz took up the post of trauma Co-ordinator at the Royal London in 2016, was promoted to lead nurse in 2019. She has developed a dedicated and highly skilled team providing specialist care to orthopaedic and plastics patients and is particularly proud of their response to redeployment during the COVID pandemic.

Kash Akhtar

Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon
Reader in Orthopaedic Surgery & Surgical Education

MBBS BSc MRCS MEd MD FRSA FRCS (Tr & Orth)

Kash specialises in sports knee injuries and treatments. He also holds several educational leadership roles, with a focus on optimising patient safety and outcomes through effective surgical education and training.

Kash studied medicine at Imperial College, graduating with a Distinction in Surgery. He also completed an intercalated BSc in Exercise Physiology and Applied Biophysics. He was awarded Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) of England in 2005 and the FRCS (Tr&Orth) in 2011.

Awarded a distinction in a Masters in Medical Education, and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) research degree, Kash has given over 100 international presentations and received multiple prizes and awards. He completed his fellowship in all aspects of knee surgery (sports injuries, trauma and joint replacement) at the renowned Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford.

He received the prestigious Winston Churchill Fellowship in 2014 and spent 6 months in international centres of orthopaedic excellence across the USA.

Appointed to Barts in 2014 as a Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in knees, he has a particular expertise in sports injuries, arthroscopic knee surgery, meniscal surgery and repair, cartilage injuries, knee ligament reconstruction (including multiligament injuries), patella dislocations and stabilisation, realignment surgery and unicompartmental (partial) knee replacement.

He holds several educational leadership positions and his academic research focuses on medical education. He has a particular interest in achieving the best patient outcomes through evidence-based practice and optimising patient safety through surgical education and training using innovative techniques.

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Lucky Jeyaseelan

Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon, Foot and Ankle

Lucky is passionate about helping patients suffering with pain and disability caused by foot and ankle (F&A) conditions. He specialises in all aspects of F&A care including complex trauma, deformity correction, minimally invasive surgery and sports injuries. He has a particular interest in ankle arthritis and total ankle replacement.

As an Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at QMUL and Orthopaedic Surgical Tutor at Barts Health Orthopaedic Centre, Lucky enjoys training and mentoring future generations of orthopaedic surgeons. He maintains a keen research interest with numerous peer-reviewed publications, international lectures and presentations.

Having completed his training on the Percivall Pott Rotation in London, Lucky undertook a specialist fellowship at The University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. He has been awarded The Singhal Travelling Fellowship by the British Orthopaedic Association, an AO specialist trauma fellowship in Ohio and multiple travelling fellowship awards from the British Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (BOFAS), visiting centres of excellence including The Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard) in Boston and units across Europe.

Nima Heidari

Lead for Limb Reconstruction, Royal London Bone Infection and Limb Reconstruction Unit

Nima Heidari established and leads the Bone Infection and Orthoplastics Unit at the Royal London Hospital. His areas of expertise are treating the injured foot and leg, non-healing bones, deformities of the lower limb and bone infection as a result of complication or injury. He also has extensive experience in treating all conditions of the foot and ankle.

Author of over 70 scientific papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals and several book chapters, Nima has written about techniques for limb reconstruction, bone biologics, minimally invasive techniques of fracture fixation and response of the growing bone to injury. He has also been the Principal Investigator for a number of National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) studies at The Royal London Hospital.

His research and academic profiles can be seen here:
Researchgate
Google Scholar
ORCID

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Fady Sedra

Consultant Orthoapedic and Spinal Surgeon

MBBCh, MSc Orth, MD, EBOT, FRCS (Tr&Orth)

Fady Sedra has a special interest in spinal deformity surgery both in adult and paediatric age groups. Fady completed his basic orthopaedic training in Cairo University Egypt and the royal national orthopaedic hospital Stanmore. He has been awarded the doctorate degree in research in the field of scoliosis surgery.

Fady finished two prestigious fellowships at Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and The Royal London Hospital. He practices spine surgery at a consultant level at the Royal London hospital, managing complex spine trauma cases including craniocervical, cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. He treats lumbar and cervical disc disease in adult patients.

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Xavier Griffin

Chairman

FRCS (Tr & Orth), PhD (Medicine), BA (Hons) First Class

Professor Xavier Griffin spearheads academic orthopaedics at QMUL and Barts Health, having joined in August 2020 as the inaugural chair of Bone & Joint Health. Xavier’s vision is for worldclass excellence in research and clinical academic training;  providing opportunity for the next generation of clinician scientists to realise their aspirations.

Xavier is a NIHR Clinician Scientist and has been awarded over £10m of research funding. He has over 80 peer reviewed publications including in the New England Journal of Medicine, He is a recognised research leader in the management of hip fracture and is excited to have just launched the WHiTE PLATFORM study with colleagues at University of Oxford. Xavier is Chief Investigator for a number of National Institute Health Research funded clinical trials, having led 8 in the last 5 years and supported a further 5.

Xavier is driven by having meaningful impact on patient care; his research is focused on the clinical and cost effectiveness of new and existing treatments to improve bone and joint health and has been cited by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence.

Xavier’s clinical expertise is orthopaedic trauma surgery specialising in pelvic and acetabular fractures. He enjoys working as part of the team at the busiest orthopaedic trauma hospital in Europe – The Royal London. Having graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1999 before attending medical school at the University of Oxford, Xavier trained in orthopaedic surgery as a National Institute of Health Research integrated clinical academic fellow. Xavier completed a world-renowned clinical fellowship in Melbourne, Australia specialising in complex fractures of the pelvis and hip. Prior to joining Bone & Joint Health Xavier was Associate Professor of Trauma Surgery at the University of Oxford and Honorary Consultant Trauma Surgeon at the John Radcliffe Hospital major trauma centre.

Having realised that boxing may not be the best sport to combine with a surgical career, outside of work Xavier can be found mountain biking or rock climbing usually with his young son in tow!

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Dafydd “Taff” Edwards

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, routine, trauma and complex upper limb surgery and Clinical Lead for hand surgery at Barts Health NHS Trust

BSc. (Physiology), MBBS (London), FRCS (Tr&Orth), MD, DMCC

Dafydd “Taff” has an extensive experience in numerous local and international hospitals. Furthermore, he has deployed 4 times on operational duties to Iraq and Afghanistan working on the front line as a medic and within the Field Hospital.

Taff has undertaken the yearlong prestigious British Society of Surgery to the Hand Advanced Training Fellowship at Wrightington hospital where he specialised in wrist/hand surgery, sports injuries, complex elbow reconstruction and peripheral nerve injury.

Taff enjoys involvement in clinically driven research as well as research into the basic sciences of disease and injury. He is currently the Principal Investigator for the SOFFT Trial at Barts Health.

He studied for his research Doctorate at Imperial College London from 2014 to 2016, looking into the outcome of military amputees from the conflict in Afghanistan, for which he was awarded the Alexander Medal, the premier award of the Royal Army Medical Corps.

His professional knowledge and skills are constantly kept up to date and is reflected in his recent publications and book contribution, notably an author for the 2019 edition of Grays Anatomy.

Aside from medicine Taff enjoys reading Science Fiction and exploring medieval castles with his young family. He has competed at national level in rowing and selected to represent the Army at Skeleton Bobsleigh.

Joshua Lee

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

MBChB MSc FRCS (Tr&Orth)

Joshua Lee has an interest in training future surgeons and is currently Lead for Simulation training having been instrumental in setting up and developing simulation training in Orthopaedics at Barts Health.

Joshua’s clinical practice encompasses all aspects of hip and knee problems, from sports injuries to hip and knee replacements. He also manages complex fractures and injuries as part of the Major Trauma Centre at The Royal London Hospital. Josh enjoys supporting trainees and has taken on an active role in mentoring more junior members of the team.

Joshua has led the delivery of NIHR trials in the department and has been Co-Investigator for Health, a multi-national, multi-centre, hip fracture trial. He has also been involved in first in human trials and post market research.

Joshua is driven by providing the most up-to-date and best care for all our patients. He enjoys combining clinical practice, education and research together in our department.

Homa Arshad

Consulant Orthopaedic surgeon, Pelvic and acetabular trauma surgery and primary, complex and revision hip and knee arthroplasty, Clinical Lead for the department at the Royal London Hospital

MB BChir, MA, FRCS

Homa has an interest in unusual or challenging hip and knee replacement surgery and arthroplasty as an immediate solution for traumatic injuries and fractures. Homa is also our wellbeing lead and has a strong interest in promoting diversity and inclusion.

She graduated from Cambridge University and was home-grown on the prestigious Percivall Pott Rotation. Medical student experience includes New York, California and Salvador in Brazil. She completed her revision hip fellowship in Norfolk, working with John Nolan, then a recent past president of the British Hip Society. She also completed fellowships in Germany with Professor Michael Raschke, Head of AO and in Denmark with Professor Kjeld Sobelle who pioneered minimally invasive periacetabular osteotomy. Her research interests include patient outcomes, pelvic and acetabular trauma and enhanced recovery. Training as the pelvic and acetabular fellow at Barts Health has facilitated enhanced abilities in acetabular reconstruction for arthroplasty as well as trauma.

She is a current ATLS instructor, teaching also on the national instructor’s faculty course and also teach as faculty for AO, the Orthopaedic Trauma Society and the London Pelvic Course. She is an Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer and tutor for the International Orthopaedic Trauma Sciences MSc at Queen Mary University of London and a reviewer for BJJ.

Gregory Firth

Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon

MBBCh, FCS (Orth), MMed (Orth)

Gregory qualified as a consultant in South Africa in 2009 and did two international fellowships in Paediatric Orthopaedics in Canada (2010) and Australia (2011). His passion has always been for paediatric orthopaedics. Between 2011 and 2018 he developed and expanded the paediatric orthopaedic service at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in South Africa, the third largest hospital in the world. He has been working at Bart’s Health NHS Trust since 2018 in the paediatric orthopaedic unit and is aiming to develop the deformity service as well as continue working with children affected by trauma, clubfoot, DDH and infections amongst others.

Greg recognises the need to be actively involved in research and teaching as reflected in the awards he has received. He completed a Masters project in hip dysplasia in 2008 and has since mentored, supervised and marked many Masters projects. He has published over 50 peer reviewed articles and has been the local principal investigator for four multicentre randomised controlled trials. He has given multiple presentations and enjoys teaching.

Greg was secretary of the South African Paediatric Orthopaedic Society (2014 to 2018) and a committee member for clinical heads and managers. He is currently the joint sectional editor at the South African Orthopaedic Journal for paediatric orthopaedics, an invited reviewer for 12 peer reviewed Journals and a reviewer for NIHR Health Services. He was an ABC travelling fellow in 2014. He is currently involved in developing QI projects at Barts Health (Signapps, mini-C arm in ED and parent participation in the clubfoot clinic).

Francesc Malagelada

Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma surgeon, Foot & Ankle

MD, FEBOT, PhD

Francesc’s practice is mainly clinical, dedicated to helping patients who have sustained injuries and enabling them to return to an active, pain-free lifestyle. To provide patients with the best possible experience, he keeps his orthopaedic knowledge up to date by regularly participating as faculty in national and international courses and conferences, which frequently promote medical innovation and advances.

Francesc’s clinical interest is in complex trauma, sports injuries, bunions and keyhole surgery. He also continues to study the main problems affecting the field of foot & ankle orthopaedics by actively participating in research which can drive the progress of foot & ankle care to help patients in his practice. He is passionate about the study of human anatomy and its application in the safe development of keyhole surgical techniques that preserve the tissues and result in smaller scars and faster recovery. Many musculoskeletal conditions can be treated with nonsurgical techniques and he works closely with a team of doctors, podiatrists, physiotherapists and orthotists at Barts to achieve the best outcomes.

His PhD studies focusing on aspects of minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery of the foot earned him the highest “cum laude” distinction.

Seeing patients make a full recovery is the most rewarding aspect of his practice. Sharing this experience with medical students, junior doctors and fellows is a particularly enjoyable part of his duties as a consultant, serving in leadership roles at the hospital and the Queen Mary University of London.

Daniel Williams

Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon, Hand and Upper limb Surgeon, Barts Health NHS Trust

MBChB BSc (Hons) FRCS (Tr&Orth)

Daniel is passionate about offering high class and personalised care for his patients. He is highly trained and skilled in all aspects of upper limb surgery including trauma, arthroscopic procedures on the wrist and shoulder, microsurgery and joint replacements (shoulder and hand). He also has a professional interest in complex trauma, minimally invasive wrist surgery and small joint arthroplasty.

Teaching and research are an important part of Daniel’s work. He is regularly invited faculty on national courses and teaches on the QMUL Trauma Sciences MSC Programme. He is actively involved in both basic science and clinical research which has been published in International peer reviewed journals, specialist textbooks and presented at National and International conferences. Daniel uses an evidence-based approach in his clinical practice alongside clear communication to offer excellent patient care.

Daniel studied Medicine at the University of Bristol Medical School prior to completing his Orthopaedic specialist training in London on the prestigious Percivall Pott Rotation.  Following being awarded his Fellowship of The Royal College of Surgeons in 2017, he went on to complete a 2 year internationally renowned fellowship with the Brisbane Hand and Upper Limb Unit, Australia. This provided him with the opportunity to train under a team of world class surgeons and develop a number of advanced surgical skills.

Claudia Maizen

Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic surgeon

Facharzt fuer Orthopaedie, MD

Ms. Claudia Maizen trained in Austria and the UK. Her special interest in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy brought her to The Royal London Hospital as part of her training.

She joined the orthopaedic team as a consultant in 2010 and has led the neuromuscular service since 2012. Since then, the service has developed into a multidisciplinary team with two consultants, three dedicated senior physiotherapists with hand therapy/ Occupational Therapy support. It also offers a neuromuscular outreach service.

In addition to her interest in orthopaedic management of neuromuscular conditions, Claudia has a passion for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) DDH-ultrasound screening and treatment and is board member of the International Interdisciplinary Consensus Committee for DDH Evaluation (ICODE), chair of their educational subcommittee and member of the research and audit committee. She is regular faculty on many international DDH (Graf) Ultrasound courses, has written several book chapters, invited speaker at international meetings, reviewer for orthopaedic journals and member of the British Society for Children’s Orthopaedic Surgery DDH steering group. She is actively involved in research in the department, as CI and PI for national and international studies and supervising clinical research projects.

In addition to her NHS work, Claudia enjoys being involved in charity work in Ghana with Motec Life, and has recently joined the Swiss-Mongolian Paediatric Project (SMOPP).

Arun Ranganathan

Consultant Adult and Paediatric Spinal Surgeon

MBBS, MRCS, PGDip (Orth Engin), DM, FRCS (TrandOrth)

Arun is a firm believer in the value of adopting a multi-disciplinary team approach and, with providing holistic care for all spinal problems. Qualified in both orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery of the spine, Arun trained under leading global spinal consultants. Following this he was selected to set up the pediatric and the new adult spinal service at Barts Health NHS Trust.

Following surgical training in Nottingham, London, Leeds and Newcastle, Arun was chosen for the prestigious adult and paediatric spinal fellowship in University of Toronto and at the Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto, Canada.

Arun is a naturally an analytical and conservative practitioner who specialises in minimal access and keyhole surgery as it offers the best chance of quick and effective recovery. He has performed surgery across Asia on a charitable basis and helped bring the latest technological developments to India, Nepal, Vietnam and other parts of South-East Asia. He is a sought-after international speaker and teacher, appearing at conferences and teaching junior consultants worldwide.

His research work at the Sir Peter Mansfield Centre was rewarded with a doctorate degree in spinal surgery from the University of Nottingham in 2008.

Arun’s team were the recipients of a National Institute of Health Research grant and he was the chief investigator of PRESTO (Pragmatic Randomised Evaluation of Stable Thoracolumbar fracture treatment Outcomes,) a multicentre national trial looking into the treatment of thoracolumbar spine fractures.

He is a former national standard tennis player, enjoys running, keeping fit and mountaineering.

Specialist interests include Spinal surgery and Degenerative spinal conditions, spinal deformity, infections and cancers of the spine.

In both 2004 and 2009 Arun became the youngest winner of the ISSLS (formerly Volvo) prize twice for the best spinal research work worldwide.

In 2004 he was awarded the Britspine Award for Best Spinal Research Work in UK.

In 2009 he was awarded by the Spine Society of Australia for best international research work.

Alexander Montgomery

Consultant Orthopaedic Spinal Surgeon, Network Lead North East London and Essex, Clinical Lead for Spinal Surgery at the Royal London Hospital (Barts Health)

Alexander is the Clinical Lead for Spinal Surgery at the Barts Health, Alexander oversees a large multidisciplinary team treating major trauma, acute and degenerative conditions, complex deformities, tumours and tuberculosis.  The Spinal Unit is now the largest trauma unit in the UK and serves a population of more than 5 million people.

With a keen interest in innovation within spinal surgery, Alexander and his team use minimally invasive procedures and techniques, such as robotics, and are involved in developing future technology for transforming spinal surgery. In 2019 the team were the first to perform Robotic-assisted spine surgery in the UK.

Alexander is an honorary senior lecturer at Queen Mary University and has presented across the globe from the USA to Europe and Australasia. He has been regular faculty for AO Spine Middle East and has chaired conferences on minimal access surgery in the region. A winner of the best presentation poster award at the International Society for Study of the Lumbar Spine (ISSLS) and has featured in both Spine News International and the London Evening Standard on a number of occasions.

He was invited to present at a global symposium in Philadelphia (Rothman Institute) and has published a systematic review in the highest-profile orthopaedic journal in the world (JBJS America). He has also presented at The North American Spine Society, Global Spine Congress, and British Spine Societies.