Barbara Onen

I am applying for the role of Wellbeing Committee Lead because I believe we have a crucial window of opportunity to reimagine how we work in Acute Medicine. I have seen first-hand how nurturing environments; ones that allow flexibility, autonomy and authenticity, help us not just survive the front line, but truly flourish within it.

My own career reflects this. During my Acute Medicine training, I took two out-of-programme years, including in my final year. As a Consultant, I chose to work less than full time (LTFT); discovering creative pursuits like voiceover work. I was told that working LTFT might cost me leadership opportunities. Yet within three months, I was appointed Medical SDEC Lead, and our service received a National commendation Award. I also negotiated flexible working, compressing my clinical time into eight months and spending four months on passion projects in Africa. So, it is possible. Sometimes we aren’t aware of the possibilities, how to ask for them or our employers don’t understand the value of flexibility.

I have since trained as a certified Transformation Life Coach, inspired to help others craft more fulfilling paths. I have worked with health care professionals to help them recapture joy and purpose.

As Wellbeing Lead, I would champion job plans that support flexible, LTFT working. I want to help design systems where multidisciplinary staff can flourish and not burn out. That includes better workload balance, psychologically safe environments and meaningful career progression.

I imagine a space where wellbeing is a strategic priority, not a side-line. With leadership, coaching and collaborative experience, I’d be honoured to lead this new chapter for SAM, helping others flourish on the frontline – embedding wellbeing as a core-value; allowing Acute Medicine to become a forerunner as a sustainable specialty that really cares about its people.