"I would like to dedicate this award to my mom"
We spoke to cardiology registrar Kyriacos Ioannides about his role at Whipps Cross, his journey in healthcare and being awarded Star of the Month.
1. Hi Kyriacos, tell us a bit more about what you do here at Whipps Cross?
I’m one of the cardiology registrars in the cardiology department based in junction 12, and we look after patients in CCU across all the hospital. I also look after the junior doctors who support with the cardiology rotation and I’m responsible for the cardiology education bi-monthly programme – we meet a couple of times a month to give lectures which is broadcasted to the whole medical team in the hospital.
I’m also in charge of supporting the education of the medical students who are doing the cardiology rotation with us every two, three or four weeks depending on their rota. I’m also involved in the outpatient cardiology virtual and face to face clinics.
2. How did you start you career in the NHS and the health sector?
Since I was a little kid, I’ve always wanted to study medicine. I graduated in Ireland and got my first job in medicine in Glasgow and then had my medical training at Watford and after that, I did my research and two masters degree in cardiology at Imperial College London.
I worked five years as a medical registrar and my passion has always been cardiology. Then three years ago I was lucky enough to start here in Whipps as a cardiology registrar. And here is where I’ve been able to develop my knowledge and skills in cardiology.
3. Is there something in particularly that motivated or inspired you to focus in cardiology?
I was always fascinated by the heart as a single organ and the fact that it’s actually responsible of perfusing all the different organs in the body. It can be a bit bias but, in my view, the heart is the most important organ in our body, if it doesn’t work nothing else works in our body. You can live with one lung for example, but you can’t live without a heart. It’s such an interesting and fascinating organ and it has so many subspecialities which is always interesting to explore and study different types of patients.
4. How’s your experience been at Whipps Cross over the past three years?
I feel very privileged to be part of such an amazing team. I’ve always felt very supported by colleagues and guided by my clinical lead. The knowledge and exposure that I get here at Whipps Cross is very special. Being part of this team, not only makes a better cardiologist, it make me a better person because I work which such wonderful people.
5. How do you feel about being awarded a Star of the Month?
It came a very special time as I lost my mum a few months ago and I’m sure she would be so proud and happy seeing me being awarded this big achievement so I would like to dedicate this award to my mom, Dorothy.