A doctor striving to create positive change in the healthcare system earns a prestigious scholarship

Dr Pooja Jeyakumar, a GP ST2 has competed against hundreds of applicants in a rigorous multi-tiered assessment to be accepted into the Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA) Scholarship Programme for the 2024-25 cohort.

Pooja, who brings over 15 years of clinical experience from her time in Oman and India, including several qualifications and accolades, will join the HLA London cohort to engage in a 12-month programme dedicated to cultivating leadership skills within the healthcare sector.

She explained: “This challenging process not only tested my ability to innovate and communicate effectively but also provided a valuable opportunity to refine my leadership vision. Over 3 months, the selection process considered various prerequisites, including previous leadership qualifications, public speaking experience, leadership roles, and organisational skills, to name a few. This experience pushed me to think creatively and critically about the future of healthcare.”

Being selected for the scholarship is one step further in Pooja’s ambition to help create major change in the healthcare system. She said: “Securing a place on the programme is an absolute dream come true. I am over the moon with excitement and deeply grateful to be chosen for this opportunity. The scholarship not only recognises my dedication to leadership in healthcare but also serves as a powerful endorsement of my commitment to driving meaningful change and making a lasting impact in the field.

“I aspire to combine my clinical expertise with strong leadership skills to drive this transformative change, particularly in primary care settings. Addressing health inequalities is a cause close to my heart, and I am deeply committed to ensuring that high-quality healthcare is accessible to all, regardless of background or circumstances.”

Over the year-long programme, Pooja, along with the rest of her cohort will be working on a self-directed project, contributing to the healthcare community, and honing leadership qualities that will benefit practice and the broader healthcare system. The programme also includes opportunities for networking with key leaders and participation in high-profile events.

Pooja explains the personal impact the achievement has had and how she hopes to inspire others in her community. She said: “Being welcomed into the HLA feels like reaching a significant milestone in my career and is the validation of the countless hours I have invested in developing my leadership abilities. Now I have the incredible privilege of honing those skills alongside some of the brightest minds in healthcare and the prospect of collaborating with fellow scholars from diverse backgrounds fills me with anticipation and excitement.

“I hope my achievement inspires other GP trainees to pursue similar opportunities for leadership development, ultimately contributing to the ongoing improvement of our healthcare services.”

Founded in 2016, the HLA scholarship recognises healthcare students and professionals with proven leadership abilities and allows them to take their leadership skills to the next level. This year’s cohort has a mix of medical students from across all clinical specialities, including doctors, nurses and dentists.

The HLA programme was formed in response to the 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.

To find out more, visit the Healthcare Leadership Academy website