Tell us about yourself and your career aspirations growing up

I love a bit of baking (wish I had time to do more of it!), I love cats (my husband won't let me have one – I'm hoping this one is still up for negotiation). Growing up I always had an interest in the sciences, in particular chemistry. I decided to do Pharmacy in order to take my learning and use it in a practical way to help people.

What was your career route to the role you have today?

I studied at the University of Sunderland and after qualifying worked a number of years in both community and hospital pharmacy before joining NENC ICB.

Do you have any advice for South Asian groups who may want to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering or maths?

My advice is just to go for it. The sky is the limit and you'll never know if you don't try!

How has your heritage influenced your career?

My Dad played a big role in encouraging me to study hard and pursue a career in Pharmacy as he wanted me to have the opportunities that he didn't. He left his home at a very early age to settle here and provide for his family. Growing up he instilled in us the value of treating people with respect and caring for them and I was able to do this through pursuing a career in Pharmacy.  

Tell us about yourself and your career aspirations growing up

I've always been an inquisitive type of person and really enjoyed studying a broad range of subjects whilst I was at school. When it came to choosing careers I went down the 'sciencey route' as I felt that STEM subjects would allow me to explore a large range of options for anything I wanted to do in the future.

What was your career route to the role you have today?

Well I studied for a Pharmacy degree at Sunderland Uni and whilst I was there I worked in local community pharmacies as the 'Saturday boy' and through the holidays. This gave me a good grounding for communicating with all different types of people and the importance of understanding and respecting the needs of our diverse communities.

I then went on to do my pre-registration pharmacist training in hospital at the QEH Gateshead where I stayed after qualifying for a number of years building on my clinical knowledge and getting experience on the ground as a pharmacist working across a multitude of specialities, before a short stint as a Non-Medical Prescribing Lecturer at the University of Carlisle. After this I came to work at the Sunderland CCG and subsequently have stayed with the NENC ICB Pharmacy Team as a Medicines Optimisation Pharmacist.

The role of the Medicines Optimisation Team is to look at the value which medicines deliver, making sure they are clinically-effective and cost-effective. Most importantly it is to ensure people get the right choice of medicines, at the right time, and are engaged in the process by their clinical team.

Do you have any advice for South Asian groups who may want to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering or maths?

I would encourage South Asian heritage groups to pursue careers in STEM as it can open a lot of opportunities up to have a variety of interesting and rewarding careers. This is because a lot of the skills, knowledge and experience gained are highly transferable. 

How has your heritage influenced your career?

From a young age my parents embedded in me that to be at the service of others is the highest honour for an individual. My career allows me to do this in an organic way to the best of my abilities. 

Is there a person from your cultural group or background who has inspired you? (please choose one question to answer)

I'd say that my biggest inspiration comes from the previous generations that came to this great country in search of a better life for them and their families. Despite all the difficulties and issues that they faced, they were steadfast in their pursuit of creating a better future with that indomitable pioneering spirit. 

So today, subsequent generations of South Asian heritage people like me look back fondly, and with the deepest of respect to the sacrifices that those that came before us made, can truly attest to the saying...“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants”.