The HLA: The Ripple Effect

Zac Hassan: Translating Clinical Capital

Podcast interview featuring The Healthcare Leadership Academy alumnus Zac Hassan, who details his path from medical registrar to an aspiring political candidate. Hassan explains that The HLA provided the courage, practical skills, and collaborative environment required to develop his side project, the "Healthy Discussions" podcast. He firmly asserts that medical professionals must venture beyond the hospital to translate their valuable clinical expertise into real influence over systemic health issues. Driven by this belief, Hassan shares his recent commitment to active party politics and his goal of standing for the Scottish Parliament to directly address policy failings and health inequality. Both Zac and Johann emphasise that The HLA serves as a supportive structure, offering a crucial networking hub and motivational framework for clinicians keen to lead change.

Eleanor Budge: Leadership, Anesthetics, and Career Evolution

This podcast captures a retrospective interview with Eleanor Budge, an anesthetic registrar and former scholar of The Healthcare Leadership Academy (The HLA), discussing her professional trajectory since joining the programme in 2018. Budge describes how her early involvement in university leadership roles prepared her for The HLA, where she acquired vital non-technical and communication skills applicable to her clinical work. A major focus of the conversation is the enduring project she co-founded on Women in Healthcare Leadership, highlighting the challenges and long-term commitment required for impactful organisational change. She also details her involvement with Medics.Academy, including working with the Ethiopian Medical Women's Association to develop accessible medical leadership teaching. Ultimately, Budge emphasises that The HLA provides the network and experience necessary to build a fulfilling, diverse portfolio career that can adapt to different life stages.

Brian Wang: Strategy, Self-Reflection and Hard Work

In this episode of The HLA Ripple Effect podcast, physician and academic Brian Wang talks about his wide-ranging professional journey. Wang reflects on his medical training at Cambridge and Imperial, his three-year PhD in cardiovascular sciences, and his upcoming role as an Academic Clinical Fellow in cardiology at Oxford. A significant part of the conversation centres on the creation and growth of Intermed School, a charity dedicated to widening participation and offering free mentorship to students aspiring to healthcare careers. Wang explains how his time as an HLA Scholar shaped his leadership abilities, particularly in strategic planning, volunteer recruitment, and the development of a sustainable organisational structure. Throughout the interview, he highlights themes of self-reflection, honesty, and disciplined hard work as the foundations of his professional development. He also shares insights from his recent clinical placement in Jersey, where he worked as a cardiology fellow before beginning his specialist training.

Yamen Jabr: Global Leadership and the Future of Rehabilitation

Yammen Jabr, a rehabilitation medicine registrar and faculty member for The HLA, talks about his journey from an International Medical Graduate to his current role. Yamen explains that he joined The HLA early in his career to gain crucial training in separating leadership from management, a skill he found lacking in traditional clinical settings. The discussion outlines his shift from core surgical training to rehabilitation medicine, which he chose for its multidisciplinary focus and improved personal priorities regarding work and personal life. Furthermore, he celebrates The HLA’s growth, noting its successful expansion into virtual cohorts that now facilitate international participation from diverse healthcare professionals. Yamen asserts that The HLA provides a vital, open platform for clinicians to develop their skills, network, and exchange experiences globally.

Axie Finch: Leadership, Advocacy and Redefining Resilience

This podcast features an interview with Axie Finch, who discusses her career progression and her experience with The HLA programme. She highlights the transformative impact of The HLA, particularly its role in encouraging her to advocate for patients and to challenge the status quo. Axie recounts her early frustration as a medical student, feeling like a “tiny fish in a big ocean”, and how The HLA provided the structure and confidence to launch the successful 100 Word Project, a collaborative effort to redefine resilience in healthcare. Ultimately, the conversation underscores The HLA’s core philosophy: cultivating leadership from below through consistent engagement, strong relationships among diverse peers, and the courage to pursue meaningful change. All principles that directly influenced Axie’s decision to specialise in geriatric medicine to better advocate for vulnerable patients.