Dr Caitríona Callan
Caitríona Callan graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2017 with a Distinction in Medicine and an intercalated degree in Experimental Psychology. After undertaking academic foundation training at University College London, she became a clinical teaching fellow in Scotland, gaining membership of the Academy of Medical Educators for postgraduate training in medical education and her work teaching University of Glasgow medical students.
She comes to the scheme from an academic clinical fellowship in General Practice in Oxford, having chosen to pursue training in primary care due to her interest in preventative medicine and population health. Alongside clinical training, she has developed as a researcher by leading projects on adherence to preventative medications with the Health Behaviours team at the University of Oxford Nuffield Department of Primary Health Care Sciences, and contributed to health policy work on inequalities in palliative care with the NHS England Palliative and End of Life Care team. She has several peer-reviewed publications and national and international conference presentations, and has broadened her research skills by undertaking a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Care Research.
Reason for applying for the scheme
Having become convinced of the health benefits of climate action and of our responsibility as health professionals to lead change, Caitríona led sustainable quality improvement initiatives in primary care which she presented at an RCGP/WONCA Europe conference. She is a co-organiser of the national Greener Practice forum for General Practice trainees, and has combined her interests in sustainability and medical education by teaching about sustainable healthcare locally and in this national forum.
Caitríona is passionate about the importance of climate action for health, and is excited to be joining the Health Foundation, where she will contribute to work across the policy and improvement teams to support the NHS transition to net zero care. She is looking forward to learning from health leaders and bringing together her interests in evidence-based healthcare, sustainable quality improvement, and health policy to focus on sustainable healthcare.
Caitríona aims to develop her leadership skills during the fellowship through involvement in rapid scoping of evidence, policy analysis, communication with stakeholders and developing long-term strategy. She hopes to use skills and experience gained to play an ongoing role in delivering a net zero NHS and bringing about high-quality, low-carbon care.
