Poppy Welsh chosen for 2021/22 cohort of the Healthcare Leadership Academy
A final year medical student from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has been selected to join a prestigious scholarship set up to develop and nurture healthcare leaders of the future.
After completing a rigorous selection process, Poppy Welsh is joining the Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA) Scholars cohort for the 2021/22 academic year.
Founded in 2016, the HLA scholarship recognises healthcare students and professionals with proven leadership ability and gives them the opportunity to take their leadership skills to the next level.
The HLA aims to inspire and support healthcare students and professionals to change the world of healthcare through leadership, one small step at a time.
"I look forward to developing and learning new skills to become a more effective and impactful leader and future doctor"
— Final year medical student Poppy Welsh
Poppy is a final year medical student who has been involved in leadership on campus within her previous roles as Course Representative and Vice-Chair of the Radiology Society.
The Canadian, who hails from Vancouver, said: “I am honoured and excited by the opportunity to be a HLA Scholar. I look forward to developing and learning new skills to become a more effective and impactful leader and future doctor.”
The HLA started with the flagship HLA Scholars programme based in London and since then it has rapidly spread across the UK, with cohorts in London, Newcastle, Bristol, Belfast, and Edinburgh, as well as Amsterdam.
It was formed in response to demand from young clinicians and medical students to learn about leadership. The aim of the programme is to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals and develop their understanding of leadership.
Speaking about this year’s cohort, Johann Malawana, Director of the HLA, said: “After a rigorous and competitive application process, with over 1,800 people starting the application process, we are delighted to welcome Poppy Welsh to our 2021-2022 scholars.
“The pandemic has reinforced the need for leaders who inspire, listen and care. At a time of great global challenge, it is important that the next generation of healthcare leaders are motivated, inspired, and prepared in order to best look after the populations they serve.
“We look forward to seeing what this generation of Scholars achieve with the platform they are given through the HLA and its community.”
"After a rigorous and competitive application process, with over 1,800 people starting the application process, we are delighted to welcome Poppy Welsh to our 2021-2022 scholars"
— Johann Malawana, Director of the Healthcare Leadership Academy
As part of their role, scholars are expected to develop a community project over the course of the one-year programme, with previous projects having reached national prominence, winning prizes, publications and presentations at national events including at the House of Lords.
Universities and healthcare organisations where previous scholars have been based have benefitted immensely from their staff and students becoming scholars. They have developed high profile projects that have had an impact nationally and internationally.
The HLA is approved by The Institute of Leadership & Management, is a certified member of Social Enterprises UK, and is commissioned by NHS England North East and NHS England South West.