Professor Dean Fennell is a clinician scientist and international leader in mesothelioma research. He has designed and led several investigator-initiated trials spanning phase 1 through phase III, including the first precision medicine platform study for patients with mesothelioma (MIST), and its follow up – SELECT. He is currently chair of the UK3CR’s mesothelioma clinical research group, past-president of the International mesothelioma interest group, past NCRI mesothelioma chair, co-author of UK BTS, and European (ESMO, ERS) mesothelioma treatment guidelines and served two terms on the EORTC board. His lab is currently pioneering novel precision medicine strategies and the study of tumour evolution in mesothelioma. He held CRUK clinician scientist and MRC doctoral fellowship and originally trained in pharmacology (1st class) & medicine at UCL , then completed medical training in London. Prof. Fennell has published 190 peer reviewed articles in journals including The Lancet, Lancet Oncology, New England Journal of Medicine, Nature, & Nature communications. In 2023 he was awarded the IMIG Senior Investigator medal and MARF Pioneer Award for his work in the field, and was elected a fellow of the academy of medical sciences in 2024.
Miss Samantha Tross is a Consultant Orthopaedic Hip & Knee Surgeon, practicing in London. When she was appointed in 2005, she became the first black female in the UK to do so and she was the first woman in Europe to perform Mako Robotic Hip Surgery. She was born in Georgetown, Guyana, had secondary education in England and attended University College and the Middlesex School of Medicine. She underwent Fellowships in Toronto, Canada and Sydney, Australia in Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery and joint Arthroscopy after completing Orthopaedic Training in London.
She is an Educational Supervisor (overseeing the training of junior doctors in her department), a Trustee and Founder Member of the British Association of Black Surgeons (BABS), Secretary of the International Orthopaedic Diversity Alliance, and member of the EDI Forum of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Miss Tross is also an External Examiner for the University of the West Indies in Trinidad & Tobago and Associate Professor of Orthopaedics for the American University of the Caribbean. She is past Lead of Ealing Hospital Orthopaedic Department, past Editor of the Journal of Medical Case Reports and Member of the Cultural & Diversity Committee of the British Hip Society.
Miss Tross has been featured in many publications including the British Medical Journal and received a Black British Business Award for her work in STEM in 2016, a Zenith Healthcare Pioneer Award and Wintrade Award in 2019, Caribbean Global Health Award in 2023 as well as inclusion in MiPAD (most influential people of African descent) class 2023 Global Top 100. Miss Tross has also been included in the Black Powerlist of 100 most influential Black Britons since 2012. She is one of a few surgeons currently being profiled in the Huntley Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
Mr. Carlon Fitzpatrick is a passionate advocate for cultural diversity and innovation in healthcare. His background, experiences, and aspirations reflect a deep commitment to fostering connections between the African and Caribbean communities while driving progress in the medical and entrepreneurial fields.
Background: Born in Northamptonshire, England, Mr. Fitzpatrick’s heritage is a beautiful blend of Guyanese and Jamaican roots. His educational journey began at Bedford School and continued with a degree in Human Biology at King’s College London. Later, he ventured abroad to Grenada, West Indies, on an international scholarship to attend St. George’s University, where he graduated as a Gold Honour Humanism Society member in 2010.
Community Engagement: Community engagement has been a cornerstone of Mr. Fitzpatrick’s life throughout his academic journey. During his time at St. George’s University, he actively participated in community primary care outreach projects and youth programs through student associations. This commitment to community well-being continued as served as a Trustee of the British Caribbean Doctors and Dentists Association (BCDD), focusing on youth outreach, community health promotion, and forging partnerships with affiliated organisations.
Career Path: After graduation, Mr. Fitzpatrick ventured into the field of orthopaedics, working with DepuySynthes (Johnson and Johnson) as a trauma sales consultant from 2010 to 2014. He was recognized with national sales awards in 2012 and 2013 for his exceptional management of trauma accounts in Central London. His role expanded to include Biomaterial product specialisation, where he drove the adoption of biomaterials in trauma surgery.
Surgical Career: In pursuit of knowledge and innovation, Mr. Fitzpatrick embarked on a sabbatical from Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery. In 2019, he completed a Surgical Simulation fellowship at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London, obtaining a PG Cert in Clinical Education. During this time, he received international acclaim for his work on the role of simulation in multidisciplinary surgical training and organised a national surgical innovation conference.
Entrepreneurial Pursuits: Alongside his medical profession, Mr. Fitzpatrick has developed a passion for innovation in the Surgical Industry. He co-founded Encode Health, an organisation dedicated to setting new standards for tracking and tracing medical devices. Their innovative approach earned them the prestigious UK Innovate SMART grant and recognition in the Health 2.0 Visionary Awards in Las Vegas 2023. Moreover, Mr. Fitzpatrick recently founded a cutting-edge clinic, MISMI Therapies, specialising in the use of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for pain management, beauty enhancement, and addressing skin and hair conditions. MISMI represents a significant milestone in his entrepreneurial journey, where they harness the power of PRP to improve the lives of their patients. He has also ventured into property investment, recently opening a care home for vulnerable children.
Sports and Community Involvement: Outside of his professional life, Mr. Fitzpatrick is a dedicated sportsman who has represented New York Rugby Club and St. George’s, Grenada Parish Cricket Club during his medical school days. He has also been actively involved in regional and national level club rugby and cricket within the UK. Moreover, he proudly serves on the executive committee of the British Caribbean Doctors and Dentists Association, fostering connections within the community.
Conclusion: Mr. Fitzpatrick is excited to share his experiences and insights, with a focus on cultural diversity, innovation, and community engagement, to inspire and empower others. He values the opportunity to be a part of enriching events and communities.
Dr Stacey Bryan is an Obstetrics and Gynaecology Consultant who completed subspecialty training in Gynaecology Oncology. She grew up in Hackney and is of Jamaican and St Vincent heritage. She obtained her undergraduate degrees at St George’s University of London graduating with a 1st class Hons in Biomedical Science in 2005 and then Medicine in 2008. In 2015 she obtained membership to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. She is completing a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) at University College London at the Institute for Women’s Health, where her research is looking into prevention and early detection of Cervical Cancers. Her work has led to publications and presentations at both national and international conferences. She has taught on the undergraduate MBBS Medicine and iBSc in Women’s Health programs at UCL and is also a clinician lecturer on the Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA) Medics Academy: FDocs+ programme.
Dr Bryan is currently the interim Chair of the British Caribbean Doctors and Dentists Association (BCDD), having previously been the Vice-chair, a role which allows her to actively be an example to, and raise the aspirations of, the younger generation. She is also an advocate for health awareness and literacy in the community. She has featured on a birthing podcast and worked closely with charities to provide education surrounding women’s health, particularly to those marginalised in society.
Dr Michael Beckles is a Consultant Respiratory and General Physician at the Royal Free Hospital in London.
In addition to his NHS work, Michael also has an active private practice and sees UK and international private patients at a number of leading private clinics in London. He treats patients with all manner of respiratory and general medical complaints, and is a skilled fibre-optic bronchoscopist.
Michael completed his undergraduate studies in Medicine at the University of Manchester where he won several undergraduate prizes, including an MRC Scholarship for his Intercalated Degree in Pharmacology and Physiology. Following postgraduate training in the teaching and district general hospitals surrounding Manchester and London, Michael was appointed Consultant Physician at the Royal Free Hospital in 2001.
In addition to participating in the acute on-call rota for medicine, he has developed specialist interests in lung cancer and sarcoidosis.