Very Junior Doctors

In this episode, VJD host Naabil is joined by Mr Vikas Acharya, Exeter Alumni and consultant rhinologist, facial plastic and ENT Surgeon working here at The Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals within UCLH.

We delve into Mr Acharya's career into ENT, his passion for medical education and his role as a content creator for fellow healthcare workers and patients.

Tips, tricks and honest advice fill this episode, and we hope this episode prompts you to look at ENT differently!

In this episode, Naabil sits down with Farah Virani, an inspirational and versatile healthcare professional whose work spans clinical practice, digital transformation, and data-driven innovation.

Together, they explore what mentorship truly means in today’s healthcare landscape, moving beyond theory into real-world application. Farah shares insights into different models of management, the importance of understanding team dynamics, and how to challenge constructively within group settings to drive meaningful change.

Drawing from her experience as a previous coach (2024) and then organiser (2025) for TEDxNHS, Farah reflects on how leadership and mentorship intersect, and how these skills can be cultivated across diverse spaces. Now a Global Health doctorate student at UCLA and an active Darzi alumna, she continues to shape conversations within medical management and the wider healthcare community.

This episode is a powerful exploration of leadership with intention, mentorship with impact, and the courage to challenge systems to make them better.

In our next episode of Very Junior Doctors, Chloe is joined by Dr Molly Parkinson, a GP Trainee ST3, talking all about her pathway to becoming a GP and what it's actually like to be a GP Trainee.

Are you considering becoming a GP? Why not find out more about this speciality from someone who's currently experiencing the training pathway?

This week on The Very Junior Doctors Podcast, Naabil is joined by the incredible Aynsley Szczesniak; premed, STEMinist, entrepreneur, changemaker, feminist, and fierce advocate for women in STEM.

Aynsley is a junior at the University of North Carolina, studying biology, chemistry, and entrepreneurship.

Her passion for medicine, women’s health, and empowering young women in STEM led her to create Speak Out Sisterhood, a global nonprofit supporting young professional women.

She also founded Generation YES, helping college women design innovative solutions to challenges in STEM.

Tune into the newest episode of Very Junior Doctors!

Join us in our next episode of VJD where Chloe chats with Dr Tash Binnie about her experience of Foundation Year 1 and 2, alternative routes post completion of the Foundation Programme, and mental health advocacy within medicine as a medical student and a doctor.

Dr Tash's Instagram page (@drtashbinnie) further explores these topics and other topics related to medicine and life as a doctor.

Thank you Dr Tash!

Are you someone who is eager to find out more about the Foundation Programme or would like to start preparing ahead of applications next year?

In this next episode, Dr Leah chats to Chloe about what the Foundation Programme is, what the application entails, her own personal experience of applying, and life as a Foundation Year 1 Doctor.

Dr Leah is also on Instagram - drleahlinda, where she shares about her life as a doctor and gives insight into various related topics.

In this episode, Naabil talks to the incredible Harry Dunn, a medical student who has dedicated his journey to healthcare management and policy at a national level. From being an NIHR, Government and THIS Institute researcher to an NHS Confederation intern and advocate for Health Policy and Tech, Harry’s work showcases the power of leadership and policy in shaping the future of medicine.

Together, they discuss the importance of management and policy within the medical field, the visibility (or lack thereof) of certain specialties, and how representation within healthcare leadership can shape better, fairer systems.

Tune in to hear Harry’s inspiring journey and reflections, including insights from his thought-provoking NHS Confederation article that highlights how medical culture shapes our perceptions of value and visibility.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-dunn-4ba699191/

Harry's article for the NHS Confederation: https://www.nhsconfed.org/articles/going-over-dark-side-creating-culture-clinical-leadership-nhs

In this episode of Very Junior Doctors, Naabil sits down with Hamaad, an inspiring graduate medical student, advocate, and trailblazer in medical education and health justice. From his pivotal experiences in social prescribing to leading campaigns like Medicine Unheard, Hamaad shares his journey of redefining medicine, championing patient advocacy, and resisting the narrative of doom and despair often faced by young doctors.

Hamaad’s work highlights the beauty in medicine, seeing beyond over-medicalization, understanding the social determinants of health, and harnessing lived experiences to drive meaningful change. He offers practical advice for medical students and future doctors on finding their voice, engaging with leaders, and making a real impact in healthcare while staying grounded in their passions.

Tune in for insights on:

• Social prescribing and its transformative role in patient care
• Advocacy, health justice, and amplifying patient voices
• Navigating medical education while creating opportunities for change
• Overcoming imposter syndrome and embracing the value of lived experience

Connect with Hamaad:

Email- [email protected]

LinkedIn- linkedin.com/in/hamaad-khan

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hamaadakhan/

Medicine Unheard- https://open.spotify.com/show/2MrI7ryHzibBfIzdtP4V36?si=7cc07e7e7f0e4cab 

In this next episode of Very Junior Doctors, Chloe talks about her experience of volunteering in medical school with a charity. She talks about what her experience has taught her and how she can transfer what she has learnt so far to her medical degree.

In this episode, Naabil and Chloe explore where they are in their medical school journey, sharing their hopes and goals for the upcoming academic year.

They offer practical advice on how to approach new placements and experiences, and discuss what added structure looks like during the clinical years. Stay tuned for future episodes featuring insights into placement life, top tips for building meaningful connections, and inspiring guests doing incredible work within the medical school space.