We were delighted to be asked to contribute to the Women in Healthcare Leadership project. Last week, our immediate past Chair and Co-Founder Dr Samantha Batt-Rawden was number 10 in a list of influential women in healthcare.
Here is her interview with the Women in Healthcare Leadership Project:
Describe your role:
“I am the Co-Director of The Doctors’ Association UK, an ICU and HEMs Registrar, and Mummy to toddler Joshua”.
What is your greatest achievement:
“Joshua was born prematurely at 27 weeks and had a turbulent 3 month stay in NICU. He is now a wonderfully cheeky 2 year old. Joshua has cerebral palsy, but he is as stubborn and determined as his Mummy, and he doesn’t let his disability hold him back. He is what (who!) I’m most proud of. After we brought Joshua home from NICU and whilst on maternity leave I co-founded DAUK. I never dreamed our small team of volunteer doctors would become an influential lobbying group, regularly speaking in Parliament. I love that I am able to fight for the NHS, which saved my son’s life, every single day and I suppose I’m pretty proud of that of that too.”
What would you tell your younger self:
“It gets better. I didn’t fit in when I was younger; I suppose I still don’t, but I’ve become ok with that. I wish I could tell my younger self that one day, that chip on your shoulder will become your driving force. To stop worrying so much about what people think. To learn to say ‘no’. And that those people who try to drag you down aren’t worth your time. I now realise that strong women lift other women up. I try to surround myself with with those amazing people who embody this, and make it my mission to do the same.”
Describe yourself in 3 words:
“Honest, driven, clumsy”
