WeAreTheCity’s Rising Star Awards 2024 have recognised a radiography research assistant as one of this year’s outstanding talents, calling her an “exceptional young woman”.
Gemma Walsh is a CT/MRI lead radiographer at Whittington Health NHS Trust’s Wood Green NHS Community Diagnostic Centre, and a research radiographer at the City, University of London.
Networking and career development firm for women WeAreTheCity celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Rising Star Awards this year, as part of efforts to spotlight female talent.
Radiographers as AI leaders
Ms Walsh received her award in the ‘digital’ category, for her “passion and work into radiographer workforce development”.
She explained this was related in particular to her work exploring the potential for radiographers to be future AI leaders. For more information about how developing radiographers into AI leadership roles will aid safe and effective implementation across, healthcare, click here.
Dr Janice St. John-Matthews, previous rising star award winner and advisor to Ms. Walsh’s work, was one of two nominators for Ms. Walsh’s entry, alongside Dr Christina Malamateniou, primary supervisor of her prospective PhD study exploring digital radiographer roles.
‘Strong need for clinical academics’
Ms Walsh said: “It was a lovely surprise to be nominated, but to win was an even nicer surprise! I am grateful to have won this award and be recognised for the work I am doing, but equally pleased to bring awareness of the radiography profession into a space outside the radiography community.”
Having been granted a full studentship to commence her PhD studies this October from the South and East Network for Social Sciences, Ms Walsh plans to further investigate AI leadership roles for radiographers and develop her skills as a clinical research radiographer.
“I will be maintaining the clinical aspect of my career as I love being a radiographer and feel there is a strong need for clinical academics,” she added.
‘A balancing act’
Ms Walsh explained that it had been a “balancing act”, working a clinical job while pursuing an academic research career.
Initially, the opportunities she was able to secure as she built her research CV were taken in her own time, Ms Walsh explained, and she had to view research as a hobby.
She added: “However, with time, I have integrated research into my schedule even though it very much remains a separate endeavour to my clinical role.
“For those looking to balance clinical work and academic research I would advise taking every opportunity to write for publication to build a research CV and to develop your writing skills, find a supportive research mentor/supervisor to help guide you, and closely consider your chosen clinical role/shift pattern that will afford you the time to participate in research activities.”
Biology and photography
Ms Walsh was first attracted to the profession due to her love of both biology and photography, before she completed some work experience in a radiology department.
After seeing the entire diagnostic radiographer role, and the variety available, she made her decision.
She said: “I was sold! I love how two days are never the same, and being able to work closely with both patients and technology also adds to the variety that I love.”
Ms Walsh obtained her BSc in Diagnostic Radiography from University Campus Suffolk in 2011, before undertaking her clinical placements at James Paget University Hospital in Great Yarmouth.
She proceeded as a newly qualified radiographer at Frimley Health NHS Trust, before moving to Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS trust, where she has remained for over 10 years, moving from a rotational senior radiographer to an MRI deputy lead and clinical research radiographer.
Ms Walsh has spent the last year as the CT/MRI Lead Radiographer at Wood Green Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) hosted by Whittington Health Trust in London. Alongside this role, I worked fixed-term as a research assistant for City, University of London.
The Rising Star Awards 2024 Awards attracted over 1,300 nominations, evaluated by a panel of 50 independent judges. Additionally, public support through 10,000 votes bolstered the 200 shortlisted nominees from 115 countries over a two-week period.
(Image: Gemma Walsh)