Consultant Physician, Former Welsh Woman of the Year

Career:
I went to Liverpool University to study medicine and finally obtained the Membership of Royal College of Physicians’ exam to enter and specialise in genito-urinary medicine.

My role is to diagnose and manage sexually transmitted infections and to deal with people worried about these infections or who are at risk of them. There is an element of health promotion and education involved in the job.

Dealing with people, especially young people, with HIV and AIDS can be very traumatic. People who think that sciences are for the men are very narrow-minded - all jobs are open to all sexes. I feel it is always important to be optimistic and to love life, whether it is your professional or personal life.

Welsh Woman of the Year 2000:
I was in a documentary called ‘O Flaen dy Lygaid’ filmed over three months. I appeared on several radio and TV programmes to promote 'Welsh Woman of the Year', but also to raise the profile of HIV and AIDS and the concerns about the sexual health of our young people in Wales.

Highlight:
Probably passing my membership to the Royal College of Physicians, which allowed me to go on to train to become a consultant.

Low:
Failing my driving test on four occasions. It is rather impossible to be a doctor and move from hospital to hospital without a car.

Tips from the top:
Medicine involves a lot of hard, dedicated time and long hours - not just at work, but also in studying for exams. You have to be very good at balancing your personal and professional life in order to get the best out of both.

Other jobs:
My first job was as a waitress earning 25p per hour. I probably hated that job most because it took me nearly a whole summer to save up to buy a pair of jeans! At medical school, I worked as a petrol attendant.

Schooldays:
I didn’t get the grades at A Level that I needed to get to medical school first time round. I went back to school, re-sat my exams and had no problems the second time. It was probably the best decision that I ever made in my life, and one that I certainly will never regret. So, if at first you don’t succeed – try, try again.