Oncology Professional Care is proud to be supported by an expert advisory board, representative of all members of the multi-disciplinary team, who support the development of the programme and speaker faculty. We have invited some of the most senior and innovative leaders transforming the patient pathway in oncology today to join this committee, ensuring we can deliver true value to all our attendees and partners.

Our advisory board is already helping us to refine the direction of the event and agenda, as well as sharing insights into how we can build out our community. We hope our advisory board will be the cornerstone of our Oncology community, and that we can work with our members to make sure that we are delivering true value to all our attendees and partners.

ICYMI: Last month we announced part one of our advisory board:

• Geoff Bellingan, Medical Director, University College London Hospitals (UCLH)
• Emma Hallam, Consultant Therapeutic Radiographer, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
• Majid Kazmi, Director of Innovation for Cancer and Surgery and Deputy Medical Director, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
• Sandra Dyer, Primary Care Lead Nurse, Transforming Cancer Services Team for London
• Stephen Allen, Patient Representative, Tackle Prostate Cancer
• Anthony Cunliffe, National Lead GP Adviser, Macmillan Cancer Support

Here’s our second round of introductions to the Oncology Professional Care Advisory Board 2024…

Naman Julka-Anderson - Research Radiographer,The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust Co-| Allied Health Professional Clinical Advisor, Macmillan Cancer Support | Founder and Co-Host, Rad Chat

Naman is an advanced therapeutic radiographer who co-founded the multi-award-winning podcast Rad Chat, the first therapeutic radiographer led oncology podcast.

Born and raised in India, he moved to the UK in 1999 and qualified as a therapeutic radiographer in 2017. He is a band 7 Macmillan treatment review radiographer at Imperial College NHSFT within a treatment review team helping manage patients' physical and psychosocial side effects. He is also a research radiographer working at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, along with working as an Allied Health Professional Clinical Advisor for Macmillan Cancer Support. Moreover, he is an ambassador for: STEM, Radiotherapy UK and Move charities.

All Naman’s hard work resulted in him recently winning London and UK radiographer of the year with the Society of Radiographers.

His passions include compassionate care for all patients, EDI, promoting radiotherapy as a profession along with workforce development, research and exercise.

Joanna McNamara - Senior Lecturer Radiotherapy & Oncology, Sheffield Hallam University | Co-Founder and Co-Host, Rad Chat

Jo McNamara is a Senior Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, teaching across health and life sciences, and co-host for the first therapeutic radiographer led oncology podcast: Rad Chat. Having been appointed as the National Macmillan Therapeutic Radiography Fellow in 2020, Jo worked with the Chief Medical Officers team to raise the profile of therapeutic radiographers and on various projects including PRosPer.

Jo chairs the Society of Radiographers Special Interest Group, Outreach and Promotion, as well as the chair for the radiotherapy arm of the UK Acute Oncology Society. She is an ambassador for: STEM, Radiotherapy UK and works collaboratively with Macmillan and Health Education England on various projects.

Her passions include personalised care for patients, prehabilitation and rehabilitation, promoting radiotherapy as a profession, workforce development, leadership and research.

Vikash Dodhia - Head of Pharmacy, Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust

Vikash Dodhia is the Head of Pharmacy at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, part of the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, where he leads the delivery of exceptional pharmaceutical care to cancer patients. He also is the Clinical Lead for NHS England’s Aseptic Services Review. His leadership and patient care experience in both the public and private sector, Dodhia has played key roles in pharmacy management and strategic operations, including serving as Superintendent Pharmacist and Operational Director at ENH Pharma LTD. Dodhia's commitment to advancing patient care extends to his collaborative efforts in multidisciplinary initiatives aimed at improving cancer care pathways, with publications and speaking engagements advocating for optimising oncology drug delivery, promoting self-administration of therapies, and enhancing efficiency in cancer care services.

Wendy Ng - MBA, Deputy Head of Pharmacy & Cancer Lead Pharmacist, Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust

Wendy is self-directed and driven pharmacist with over 18 years experience in aseptic, oncology & haematology pharmacy in both private and NHS organisations. Currently working as the Cancer Lead Pharmacist at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, she works to improve the clinical oncology pharmacy services for patients.

Sian Lambert - Business Services Manager, New Hayesbank Surgery | Mid-Kent PCN

Sian has been in the NHS for over a decade based in Primary, Secondary and Community Care which includes as a Hospice Lead & PCN Business Manager. As a business Services Manager within Primary Care, Sian’s special interests include supporting non-clinical roles to develop and enhance holistic care, supporting patients living with long term conditions to live well for as long as possible and encouraging primary care colleagues to champion advanced care planning earlier, to ensure patients have the opportunity to die well. She is equally keen to continue strengthen the non-clinical workforce in areas such as cancer prevention, early diagnosis, cancer screening, cancer diagnosis and personalised care and QOF/IIF.

Chris Cutris - CEO, The Swallows Head & Neck Cancer Charity

Chris was diagnosed Friday,13th May 2011, he received devastating news “you have cancer”.  His treatment at ENT Blackpool, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, two neck dissections, feeding peg for 3 years. During treatment he realised he needed support and could not find anyone to talk with, he decided to start a charity supporting Head & Neck Cancer patients and caregivers.

Swallows Head and Neck Cancer Support Charity based in the UK, has worldwide reach. Chris explains, “The charity is for patients, caregivers, family, friends so everyone understands the challenges when someone is diagnosed with head and neck cancer”.

That concludes part two of our announcements. Stay tuned for the third instalment of our Advisory Board announcements…