Meet the team - May

Meet the team bringing you the latest south west bulletin for postgraduate doctors and dentists in training

We’ve worked with colleagues across training and education to bring you this bulletin. Introducing this issue’s contributors Adam Malin from the Supported Return to Training (SuppoRTT) programme team and Clare Van Hamel, Natalie Band and Rani Ackerman from the Severn Postgraduate Medical Education Foundation School, and Sarah Rawlinson and Suzanne Maddock from the Peninsula Postgraduate Medical Education Foundation School.   

You can contact members of the team via educationdoctorsintraining.southwest@hee.nhs.uk 

Adam Malin

Associate Postgraduate Dean 

Adam is an associate postgraduate dean and his responsibilities have included leading on Professional Support and Wellbeing Service (PSW) in the Severn region and now SuppoRTT.  

Adam previously worked as a lecturer in Zimbabwe, before undertaking a PhD on TB vaccine design. He completed his training in Infectious Diseases, Respiratory and General Medicine in 1999. He recently retired after 20 years as a respiratory physician at Royal United Hospital, Bath.  

Adam has been a college tutor, foundation programme director, and director of medical education as well as a member of the council for the NACT UK. He's taught in Uganda, across the UK and been a NACT Eugene Meyer Travelling Fellow to North Carolina and written several documents for NACT.   

In February 2020, whilst undertaking a 3000km off-road cycle trip the length of New Zealand, he fell 20m down a gorge leaving his lower body permanently paralysed. However, following excellent rehab, Adam is now back working part-time. 

Clare Van Hamel 

Head of Severn Postgraduate Medical Education Foundation School and Associate Postgraduate Dean 

Clare Van Hamel is head of the Severn Postgraduate Medical Education Foundation School and an associate postgraduate dean. Clare also works as a consultant anaesthetist in Swindon. 

When Clare isn’t at work, she is kept busy by four grown-up children and a menagerie including alpacas, dogs, horses, cats, and a tortoise. 

Natalie Band 

Acting Foundation School Manager 

Natalie Band joined the team in 2006 and is currently the acting foundation school manager for the Severn Postgraduate Medical Education Foundation School. Natalie also has experience working at the Peninsula Postgraduate Medical Education Foundation School. 

Natalie has two children, and outside of work she enjoys making memories with them. Natalie is also a keen baker and can often be found in the kitchen covered in flour and icing sugar! 

Rani Ackerman  

Education Programme Coordinator  

Rani Ackerman joined the Severn Postgraduate Medical Education Foundation School in January 2022 as an education programme coordinator.  

Outside of work, Rani enjoys reading, hiking, travelling, and (as a native Floridian) attempting to spend as much time in the sunshine as the UK weather permits. 

Sarah Rawlinson

Director of Peninsula Postgraduate Medical Education Foundation School and Associate Postgraduate Dean 

Sarah Rawlinson is director of the Peninsula Postgraduate Medical Education Foundation School and an associate postgraduate dean. Sarah also works as a consultant paediatric anaesthetist in Plymouth. 

Outside of work, Sarah can usually be found somewhere on a sports pitch or walking on the moors. 

Suzanne Maddock  

Foundation School Manager 

Suzanne Maddock joined the Peninsula Postgraduate Medical Education Foundation School in 2015 and has been in the foundation school manager post since June 2022. 

Suzanne has two adult children, and outside of work, she enjoys hiking on Dartmoor as often as she can with her family.