51³Ô¹ÏÍø

Dr Karen Joash has been appointed as the next Director of the Clinical Academic Training Office.

The Clinical Academic Training Office (CATO) delivers research training and education opportunities for clinical staff. It is part of – a strategic partnership between 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, , ,  and . 

Dr Joash took up her appointment earlier this month and succeeds , a leading kidney expert.

Women’s health

Dr Joash is an obstetrician and gynaecologist at with more than 25 years of clinical experience. She has held significant leadership roles across London, including serving as Head of School for Community & Sexual Reproduction Health together with Obstetrics and Gynaecology at NHS England, where she led strategic oversight of postgraduate training, workforce development, and educational quality across one of the largest training programmes in the UK. She has also served as a former Director of Medical Education at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø College Healthcare NHS Trust.

“CATO has led the way nationally in supporting and providing opportunities for staff to step into research careers and I am thrilled to be its next Director.” Dr Karen Joash Director of the Clinical Academic Training Office

Dr Joash has a strong interest in research and is currently Chair of the Research Group at , contributing to research that improves maternal and fetal outcomes and addresses inequalities in pregnancy. She is also Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer in the Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction. 

As Director she will lead on initiatives and activities to support healthcare professionals from all clinical backgrounds enter and advance their academic careers, working closely with the (NIHR) and other funders. 

Dr Joash said:

“Throughout my medical career I have focused on helping health professionals to thrive, grow and reach their full potential. I will utilise this experience to encourage more of our talented NHS colleagues into research careers that are fulfilling and improve key outcomes for patients.

“CATO has led the way nationally in supporting and providing opportunities for staff to step into research careers and I am thrilled to be its next Director.  

“CATO plays a vital role in supporting the clinicians and health professionals who drive discovery and translate it into better care for patients. Over the past decade, the CATO team has built a vibrant and inclusive community that has helped many doctors, nurses, midwives, allied health professionals and healthcare scientists develop successful research careers.

“I’m excited to work with colleagues across the AHSC to support the next generation of clinical academics and strengthen the culture of research, learning, innovation and implementation across our hospitals and university to benefit our patients.” 

Clinical academic careers

Clinical academics play a key role in providing evidence that helps drive innovation and improve patient care in the NHS.

CATO is the focal point for clinical academic careers across the AHSC and actively participates in and influences clinical academic developments across London and nationally.

CATO supports clinical academics and researchers of all levels and professions across the AHSC – Doctors, Nurses, Midwives, Allied Health Professions, Healthcare Scientists, Pharmacy staff and Pharmacists (NMAHPPs). Its aim is to develop clinical

academic careers broadly and to win funding to support researchers in their careers.

It also provides support, events and opportunities to help clinicians get involved in research.

Since its creation in 2015, CATO has won the maximum number of externally funded , which supports doctors to develop their clinical academic careers, from the NIHR each year. It has also successfully encouraged many NMAHPPs into research careers and led a winning bid to become a new national NIHR incubator for the development of clinical academic radiographers.

, Director of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø College AHSC, said:

“I want to congratulate and welcome Karen to this role as CATO director.

“Karen has an impressive track record of clinical excellence and impact. Through her leadership she will ensure CATO meets its aim of expanding and supporting the numbers of clinicians involved in research and education across 51³Ô¹ÏÍø College AHSC for the benefit of our patients in North West London and beyond.

“CATO’s team does fantastic work in providing bespoke and practical support for NHS staff who want to enter clinical academic careers. It has led the way in increasing opportunities for NMHAPPs which has increased job satisfaction, retention and income for our partners.

“I look forward to working with Karen to further strengthen our clinical academic careers work.”