Patient, parent and carer Governors

What three words would people use to describe you?

Compassionate, intelligent & resilient

What does being a governor mean to you?

The opportunity to connect with the hospital community and better understand their concerns and experiences in order to advocate for their needs and interests.

What are you looking forward to in your role as a governor?

I’m really looking forward to learning more about the strategic direction of the hospital and the framework of initiatives aiming to enhance patient care and services.

What lasting impact would you like to leave as a governor?

To contribute to a greater inclusivity of the patients represented at GOSH and advocate in particular for the voices of maxillofacial patients.

What do you admire about GOSH?

It’s capacity to deliver world-class specialised paediatric care.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I really enjoy travelling and exploring new places, especially where there is an opportunity to see wildlife!

People don’t know that…

I’ve met the King…

What three words would people use to describe you?

Kind, resilient and cheerful.

What does being a governor mean to you?

To take an active role in amplifying the patient voice in decisions being made at GOSH.

What are you looking forward to in your role as a governor?

I am looking forward to collaborating with the Council as well as the wider GOSH community including Patients, Parents/Carers and Staff, and listening to a variety of perspectives and experiences.

What lasting impact would you like to leave as a governor?

Having been a GOSH patient for 20 years and a Young People’s Forum member for 4 years, I hope that continuing to share my input will help make the patient journey to be as comfortable and inclusive as possible. I am excited to play a part in shaping the future of our amazing hospital and making a difference together. I truly believe in the potential we have collectively and how empowered we are individually.

What do you admire about GOSH?

Over the last 20 years at GOSH, I’ve received so much support, encouragement and an amazing quality of care, and my aim in this role is to hopefully facilitate the same experience for others. The opportunities that I’ve had at GOSH such as being YPF Vice-Chair, Keynote Speaker at GOSH Conference, Hosting at the AGM and Launches as well as working with the GOSH Charity and Learning Academy has all contributed to my personal and professional development immensely – I’ve learnt so much about the hospital and myself, which has formed the foundations of my passion for social impact, stories, youth empowerment and leading positive change.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

In my spare time I enjoy writing, baking, badminton, photography and watching football and Formula 1.

People don't know that...

I love travelling and exploring new places – I once ziplined through a forest!

This seat will be contested in the 2025/26 elections.

What three words would people use to describe you?
Strategic, empathetic and determined

What does being a governor mean to you?
Being a governor at GOSH is an incredible opportunity to contribute to the hospital’s mission of delivering world-class care to children. It means advocating for patients, families, and staff to ensure the highest standards of clinical excellence, innovation, and patient experience. My role is to listen, engage, and help shape decisions that positively impact the hospital community.

What are you looking forward to in your role as a governor?
I’m looking forward to collaborating with fellow governors, hospital leaders, and families to strengthen patient care and enhance the hospital’s digital and operational infrastructure. With my experience in healthcare technology and implementation, I’m particularly excited about supporting initiatives that improve efficiency and accessibility in patient services.

What lasting impact would you like to leave as a governor?
I want to help ensure that GOSH remains at the forefront of paediatric healthcare by supporting initiatives that enhance patient experience, streamline clinical workflows, and improve digital integration. My goal is to contribute to meaningful, lasting improvements that empower clinicians and enhance care for children and families.

What do you admire about GOSH?
GOSH’s unwavering commitment to children’s health, pioneering medical research, and its compassionate, family-centred approach make it an extraordinary institution. I deeply admire the dedication of the staff, the hospital’s rich history of innovation, and its ability to provide hope and healing to so many families.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love spending time with my family, especially exploring new places and activities with my young son. I also have a strong interest in politics and literature, and I enjoy thought-provoking discussions and reading books that offer new perspectives. When we get the chance, we like visiting museums and cultural events around London.

People don’t know that…
I have a deep appreciation for aviation and space exploration, and if I weren’t in healthcare and technology, I’d have loved to be an astronaut!

What three words would people use to describe you?

Empathetic, Effective, Curious.

What does being a governor mean to you?

Being the voice of the diverse patients, families and carers who rely on GOSH.

What are you looking forward to in your role as a governor?

Meeting more of the parents/carers and listening to their experiences and suggestions.

What lasting impact would you like to leave as a governor?

Most patients that are referred to GOSH are on a difficult journey. I hope to smoothen the road by improving their hospital experience.

What do you admire about GOSH?

I admire the innovative research, which continually improves children’s lives, and the amazing staff, who are experts in their field and extremely caring.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I enjoy spending time with my husband and my six children, ages 13 to 20. Luckily I like to cook- I certainly have done enough of it!

People don't know that...

I grew up in America and came to London for a two-year management assignment. Over two decades later, I am still here!

What three words would people use to describe you?

Resourceful, passionate, trustworthy.

What does being a governor mean to you?

Being a voice for patients and carers so that they feel heard and understood, and giving back to the hospital which has been a huge part of my life for sixteen years now.

What are you looking forward to in your role as a governor?

Meeting new people and learning how GOSH works so that together we can uphold the promise: The child comes first.

What lasting impact would you like to leave as a governor?

I would like to improve the existing socio-technological tools at GOSH to better support staff, patients and carers alike.

And, I would like to effect a positive societal change so that children who attend regular hospital outpatient appointments are no longer penalised for their school attendance.

Social equity means that 100% school attendance may look a little different for children with chronic illnesses - it is not less than - it is equally valid and should be celebrated too.

What do you admire about GOSH?

The commitment, love, patience and, excellence of all the medical staff at GOSH.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I practice yoga and recently began a year long course doing inversions. I also love to blog about technology and storytelling.

People don't know that...

I got a PhD in AI and engineering, mainly so that I could live in Switzerland in the 90s, but it turned out to be a really cool move and I remain as fascinated today as I was all those years ago.

This seat will be contested in the 2025/26 elections.

What three words would people use to describe you?

Positive, Competitive and Fun

What does being a governor mean to you?

The opportunity to support the great work of GOSH and the team to enable children to receive the best care possible

What are you looking forward to in your role as a governor?

Meeting new people and learning about how GOSH operates and providing constructive input and feedback on GOSH strategy

What lasting impact would you like to leave as a governor?

Receiving feedback that I had contributed in some small way to the effective advancement of care for children at the Trust

What do you admire about GOSH?

The energy, focus and passion for providing every child with the best possible outcome

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Family, Friends and Being Active - currently walking the South West Coast Path

People don't know that...

I ran the London Marathon in just under 3 hours 30 minutes

This seat will be contested in the 2025/26 elections.

What three words would people use to describe you?

Ambitious, witty, dependable.

What does being a governor mean to you?

To me, it means giving back to the hospital that saw me grow and helped me thrive throughout my childhood.

What are you looking forward to in your role as a governor?

I’m looking forward to learning more about how an NHS Foundation Trust is run, and how the voices of patients can fit into that.

What lasting impact would you like to leave as a governor?

I believe I have a unique insight as both a former patient and current medical student, and hope to use that towards improving overall outcomes and user satisfaction.

What do you admire about GOSH?

As a child who spent a lot of time in various hospitals, I always thought there was something ‘different’ about GOSH doctors. Now I realise its the atmosphere that GOSH creates for its patients. It’s warm, its friendly, its exactly what a confused child and nervous parent needs. I admire the dedication of all the staff who continue to foster that atmosphere.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Some form of daily movement is non-negotiable for me – usually weightlifting, yoga, or swimming. I also love cooking and trying new cuisines, especially with friends.

People don't know that...

I have a collection of fun socks – wearing silly socks under a formal outfit never fails to make me happy.

What three words would people use to describe you?

Positive, caring and compassionate

What does being a governor mean to you?

Being a parent governor means a lot to me. To give back to a hospital that has helped my son since he was born and until he is 16 is the least I can do.

What are you looking forward to in your role as a governor?

I am Looking forward to improving the services for Parents/Carers within GOSH. If I can make one parents time here just that little bit easier I will have fulfilled my goal.

What lasting impact would you like to leave as a governor?

The impact I would like to leave is for Parents and Carers to be continually support throughout their child’s journey through the hospital and be well informed. To reinforce that ‘the child always comes first’ and to always put a parent perspective on issues that are borough to the governor meetings.

What do you admire about GOSH?

The amount of specialist knowledge this hospital has and also the research they conduct on some the most rarest conditions and diseases is amazing. I admire all the people at gosh that continue to research and find ways to improve our children’s health so they can live a better and healthy life.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I enjoy spending time with my family, I love to travel and also I especially enjoy my new found hobby of yoga.

People don't know that...

I can play the violin and from learning the violin I taught myself the piano.