Education Academy director steps down
Lois Whittaker, managing director of the Barts Health Education Academy, leaves us at the end of January. Two top doctors pay tribute to the work she has done for the trust.
Alistair Chesser, group chief medical officer, said:
“Lois has led our Education Academy with skill, energy, innovative thinking and compassion. She built an effective and respected team, embedding multi-professional learning across the trust, advocating for all staff groups, and making a significant contribution to the development of our current and future leaders. From corporate induction, through mandatory training, to specific skills and education courses, the work of the Academy has positive benefits for all of us. Lois is also widely respected and under her leadership the trust has developed strong links with NHS England and all our partner universities.
“We owe Lois a debt of gratitude for her inspirational leadership, building the education academy into the superb resource we have today. She combines huge energy, great experience, innovative thinking and dedication to the people around her. Those who were there will recall her work during the pandemic - taking on whatever was needed and making difficult things look easy during a time of great stress, when her calm and wise influence was invaluable. Thank you, Lois, for your amazing leadership, and thank you for being a kind, thoughtful, supportive and caring colleague.”
Rehan Khan, consultant obstetrician and director of medical education for locally employed doctors, added:
"Underpinning all of these attributes and achievements is Lois’s lifelong dedication to equity and fairness. This extends via advocacy into tangible changes which have benefited staff, patients and east London as a whole. Some of you will know of Lois’s clear messaging regarding critical issues such as racism and sexual safety in the workplace, and of her leadership in initiating the Barts Health international medical graduates induction programme, regarded as ‘best in class’ by NHSE. But how many of you know of her outreach work with Mulberry School for Girls in Tower Hamlets?"
Kieran Kelly will take over as managing director when he joins us in April from north-west London.
He said: “I’m delighted to be joining the trust and look forward to continuing the fantastic work to develop a learning environment and culture in Barts Health.”