Joshua Kennedy Academic Dental Foundation Trainee at the Newcastle University School of Dental Sciences Expand I am an academic dental foundation trainee that has recently graduated from Queen's University Belfast. My interest in cleft lip and palate began during my university years, leading me to become an ambassador for cleft awareness. Last September, I ran the Berlin Marathon for CLEFT and raised £1600. I am delighted to be involved in the Trainee section this year. I am enthusiastic about contributing to its growth and the charity's mission.
Will Raby-Smith I’m currently working as a junior doctor completing my foundation programme at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge. Expand I aim to train in maxillofacial surgery and look forward to undertaking my dental studies at King's College London in August 2023. I first developed an interest in cleft surgery at medical school and was immediately drawn to the profound functional, aesthetic, psychological and social impacts of such surgery. After reading about CLEFT’s work in the UK and overseas, I contacted the trustees to see how I could get involved. Alongside Shonnelly Novintan and Yul Khan-Pascual, we created the Trainee Section to provide a community where junior trainees can collaborate on projects to further CLEFT’s charitable aims.
Shonnelly Novintan I’m looking forward to taking on this exciting journey with Will to form and shape the CLEFT Trainee Section. Expand I am a junior doctor who graduated from Imperial College London in 2021 and am undertaking my plastics training in Chelmsford. My interest in cleft lip and palate began after my elective at Great Ormond Street Hospital, where I first saw the meticulous nature of cleft surgery. After getting involved with CLEFT, I was enlightened to the global humanitarian impact and this has spurred my passion to develop the Trainee Section alongside Will.
Bhavika Khera I am a Plastic Surgery registrar training in the East Midlands deanery. I am passionate about cleft surgery, global health and education. Expand I strongly believe in CLEFT’s mission of improving cleft care in the UK and globally in a permanent and sustainable way. I have recently spent time at the Spires Cleft Unit in Oxford, which has furthered my desire to purse cleft surgery as a career. Throughout my training, I have led and delivered international teaching programmes and continued to peruse my passion for medical education during my academic foundation training. I am excited to be working with the CLEFT team to provide educational programmes to help advance cleft care both nationally and internationally.
Izzy Snape I am a psychology graduate, and Speech and Language Therapy Masters Student at University College London. Expand My interest in cleft palate began when shadowing the cleft multidisciplinary team clinic at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. I especially like how the MDT works together to provide client centred care. As a psychology graduate, I also am drawn to the psychological and social aspects of cleft care. I was initially introduced to CLEFT by Shonnelly, who co-leads the trainees, and after looking into the charity I am looking forward to raising the profile of the great work that CLEFT does, and collaborating with a range of professionals.
Anna Sanders I am the Assistant Psychologist for Spires Cleft Centre, Oxford. Expand Whilst completing my Clinical Psychology MSc at the University of Southampton, I was fortunate enough to secure a placement as honorary assistant psychologist for Salisbury District Hospital’s paediatric diabetes team. Here I developed my interest in clinical psychology in a healthcare setting and I am now the assistant psychologist for the Spires Cleft Centre. I am excited to get involved with the Trainee’s Section and share CLEFT’s incredible mission through outreaching to other pre-qualified aspiring psychologists. I am passionate about improving readily available patient information around the cleft pathway, surgery types and recovery expectations, and ways to access alternative support.
Daniel Stonehouse-Smith Specialist Orthodontist Expand Daniel is a Specialist Orthodontist who is currently undertaking a MRC Research Training Fellowship, starting his PhD studies with King’s College London in 2022. His research is investigating the cell behaviours that occur during palate development and applying this to a model of cleft palate. He has worked in three of the UK cleft centres and now balances his research work with clinical commitments at Guy's Dental Institute and the Evelina Cleft Service. He plans to return to higher specialty training after his PhD and continue to develop both his research and clinical interests in cleft care. As a CLEFT trainee he hopes to raise awareness of the great work of the charity and encourage more trainees and clinicians to get involved in research and improving cleft care in the UK and globally.