Rising Star
Rising Star
This award recognises our colleagues who are starting out in their career or role and are thriving, developing, learning and showcasing best practice. Here’s what their colleagues wrote about them in the nominations.
Dr Dev Thakker, Orthopaedic Registrar
Dr Thakker is a proactive team player with a passion for improving things. His commitment to patient care shines through everything he does, and his positive attitude boosts his team.
Dev established a soft-tissue knee multidisciplinary team that has transformed how the trust manages complex knee injuries. By bringing together different specialists, he ensures patients receive the best, most coordinated care possible. This has improved decision-making, sped up access to the right investigations, and contributed to fewer unnecessary delays and re-attendances.
He also takes the lead on the registrar rota – no mean feat! He matches the right clinicians to the right duties, making sure everything runs smoothly. Thanks to him, the department operates more efficiently and with less stress for everyone.
Kimberley Shipway, Radiology Transformation Lead
Kim is an exceptional leader who has transformed the radiology service since stepping into a senior role in 2024.
She has championed key initiatives including Milford's Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) programme, comprehensive workflow reviews, and innovative workforce structuring. She has led business cases for critical equipment and advanced strategy.
Her leadership is characterised by clarity, energy and purpose. She articulates complex challenges and works collaboratively to find practical solutions. Her open-minded approach, determination and resilience inspire her team and foster continuous improvement.
In this demanding environment, Kim has shaped the service’s future while growing as a leader. Her appetite for learning, strategic thinking, and ability to deliver meaningful change make her stand out as an emerging leader with enormous potential.
Rhianna White, Oncology Research Assistant
Rhianna shows immense determination and attention to detail, helping patients access potentially life-saving treatment.
In her first year with the Oncology Research team, Rhianna independently ran recruitment for the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad Trial. This involved screening, approaching and recruiting patients, then referring them to trial sites for further tests. She quickly developed essential skills and built strong relationships with medical secretaries across multiple hospitals.
Through her efforts, 30 colorectal cancer patients received specialist DNA bloodstream screening prior to chemotherapy, enabling identification of high-risk patients for new treatments.
Royal Surrey recruited the highest number of patients nationally into this high-profile vaccine trial. Consequently, we've received further vaccine trial opportunities for colorectal cancer and head and neck cancer patient groups.