Becoming and Being a SAS Doctor in a Senior Leadership Position

Dr Laura J. Hipple has worked as an Associate Specialist in North Cumbria since 2003, where she is currently also SAS doctor lead and tutor. She is also Vice President for Membership and Workforce at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

As part of SAS Week 2024, Dr Hipple writes about her journey from studying medicine to becoming a SAS doctor in a senior leadership position.

When I decided I wanted to become a doctor at the age of 14, I really had no idea what lay ahead. I come from a non-medical family, and I was the only person in my year at the local secondary school to apply for medicine. I have only recently realised that not having any medical background, or any pre-conceived notions about medical careers, meant I had no concerns about deciding to move away from the usual consultant career pathway after obtaining my Membership of Royal College of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (MRCOG) and completing my registrar training. A SAS post suited me very well at the time and is a choice I’ve never regretted.

My role initially was a very clinical one, working at what we used to call “registrar” level. As time passed, I obtained a scanning qualification and gradually took on more responsibility. As senior consultants retired, I became the “named clinician” for some of the clinics and lists I was doing. I gradually took on more extended and clinical leadership roles. All this experience would later prove invaluable in my current role, but none of it was planned! Opportunities arose and it just felt the right thing to do at the time. Having good role models has been a crucial part of my journey – we learn so much observing how other people lead.

My non-clinical leadership roles started with being appointed as local SAS tutor. Some formal leadership training in this role, together with generic professional skills sessions at local SAS development days, proved very useful in years to come.

My national leadership journey began after I applied, and failed to get, a local clinical director post. This meant I was then able to apply (successfully!) for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist SAS lead post. I felt completely overawed to find myself amongst such esteemed colleagues but was warmly welcomed and supported by some inspiring role models. I also sat on the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges SAS Committee, becoming one of the vice-chairs and working with some excellent committee chairs, whose leadership and dedication resulted in the publication of several papers on SAS careers.

Nobody was more surprised than I was when it was first suggested I stand for election as a College Vice-President! Initially I wasn’t ready to consider it. The second time I was asked, although the prospect was still terrifying, the time felt right to try and break this glass ceiling for SAS doctors. So, with much trepidation, and in awe of the other candidates’ impressive CV’s, I stood for election and was voted in as a vice-president.

Imposter syndrome held sway initially – but my officer colleagues recognised this and were reassuring and supportive. Being a SAS doctor presence at national meetings does bring a different lived experience to the table, which can at times be challenging, but I think generally having this “fresh pair of eyes” on issues is both useful and appreciated. I have also realised that many leadership qualities are acquired with experience rather than grade and that we all have different leadership styles and strengths/weaknesses.

Our vice president roles are unusual in that you are voted in, but only then are the various portfolios given out. The College staff are very supportive and professional and cope admirably with a complete change of officers/personalities every three years! The role also involves working with teams from other national organisations and with a huge number of clinician volunteers, who give freely of their own time and without whom our colleges could not function.

At the end of the day, I think people value and respond to who and how you are more than your grade. Often the main barrier to our progression is how we perceive ourselves. Life has its seasons, but if the time feels right and the opportunity arises, then go for it!