MAIN STAGE SPEAKERS

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  • Dr Megan Rossi, founder of The Gut Health Doctor, is one of the most influential gut health specialists internationally and a leading Research Fellow at King’s College London. A registered dietitian and nutritionist for over fifteen years, she leads The Gut Health Clinic and has an award-winning PhD in Probiotics, which was recognised for its contribution to science, receiving the Dean’s Award for outstanding research. She's also the author of multiple Sunday Times best-selling books, and is the founder of multi-award-winning gut health food brand, Bio&Me and the live bacteria supplements brand, SMART STRAINS. 

    Connect with Megan at www.theguthealthdoctor.com  | @TheGutHealthDoctor 

  • Dr. Aziza Sesay is an award winning GP, Educator, Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer and medical broadcaster celebrated for her contributions to health education, awareness, and advocacy. As the founder of "Talks with Dr. Sesay," she empowers audiences with evidence-based health information, focusing on women’s health, cancer awareness, mental health, and health inequity. Dr. Sesay serves as Vice Chair and Creative Director of Black Female Doctors UK and is an Ambassador for leading health charities, including The Eve Appeal and Wellbeing of Women. Featured in major media outlets, she is a regular GP on BBC Breakfast. She has also collaborated with numerous organisations including NHS England, the Department of Health, YouTubeHealth, and WHO, contributing to national and global public health campaigns.Recognised with the prestigious Point of Light Award and others, Dr. Sesay is a trusted voice in healthcare, committed to improving outcomes and addressing health inequities.

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  • Dr Anisha Patel is a GP, specializing in women's health, menopause and cancer.

    Anisha received the bombshell diagnosis of bowel cancer at the age of 39. Since then, her energy has been focused on raising awareness of bowel cancer while sharing her own story, from diagnosis through life after cancer, initially through her popular Instagram account, @doctorsgetcancertoo. Today, she is an author, speaker, campaigner, and health content creator/educator. 

    Her debut book, Everything You Hoped You'd Never Need to Know About Bowel Cancer, was an Amazon bestseller. 

    Anisha appears regularly as an onscreen TV doctor on ITV’s Lorraine, as well as BBC, ITV news, and Talk TV. She has also be featured in podcasts, magazines, and print media, breaking health taboos and talking all things health, women’s health, and cancer. 

    Anisha has taken part in a variety of health and cancer-related campaigns, including for the NHS and for charities, working alongside them and using her unique perspective as both patient and doctor and addressing health inequalities. 

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  •  Dr Liz O’Riordan she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer whilst working as a consultant breast surgeon in 2015 aged just 40. Her first book, ‘The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer: How to Feel Empowered and Take Control’, was her way of helping women when a local recurrence forced her to retire. She’s of the top 100 Female Key Opinion Leaders in Oncology to follow on social media and continues to help patient with her podcast and YouTube channel. Her latest book ’The Cancer Roadmap’ explains what cancer is, what causes it and how it should be treated, along with a healthy dose of myth-busting. 

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  • Dr Philippa Kaye is a GP, media doctor and author, writing about topics including women's health, sexual health and children's health.  She is the author of the bestselling Doctors Get Cancer Too, her memoir of being a doctor and a patient with bowel cancer; Breasts - The Owner's Guide and most recently The Science of Menopause.  She is a regular face on the television due to her skill at translating medicalese into simple, understandable English! 

    @drphilippakaye on insta/threads

     www.drphilippakaye.com 

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  • Stephanie O’Donohue has spent over 20 years working in communications and engagement. Following a traumatic experience during a gynaecological procedure, and driven by a strong belief in the power of collaboration, she founded TIGER UK. She now leads the organisation in creating safe spaces and opportunities for patients, healthcare professionals and researchers to come together, and work collectively toward meaningful improvements in care. 

    TIGER UK stands for Together Improving Gynaecology Experiences and Research. It is a social enterprise set up to help improve patient experiences through collaborative working and combined insight. The vision is that positive experiences become standard, and no one leaves an appointment with avoidable trauma.  

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  • Aylin Baysan is a Professor in Cariology in relation to Minimally Invasive Dentistry at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL).

    Beyond her research and teaching, Professor Baysan is a passionate advocate for public engagement and health awareness, particularly in the oral-systemic health connection. She has been actively involved in raising awareness about the link between oral health and diabetes, working with healthcare professionals and communities to enhance understanding and improve health outcomes. Her work is also deeply rooted in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), where she strives to promote inclusive dental education, positive and equitable work environment for everyone to flourish. Through leadership, mentorship, and policy engagement, Aylin is passionate about a more inclusive and accessible future for everyone in clinical academia.  

  • Lavina Mehta MBE, founder of Feel Good With Lavina, is a 47-year-old Personal Trainer, Bestselling Author of the book “The Feel Good Fix,” a Wellness Coach, TED Speaker and mum to three. Lavina was awarded an MBE for services to health and fitness during Covid-19. Her mission is to help all ages (Feel Good physically, mentally and reduce risks of common chronic diseases through her concept of “Exercise Snacking” & free YouTube workouts - as seen on TV & Radio she does every week with her 78 year old Mother in Law.  Lavina runs workplace wellness events and talks to help encourage easy movement and lifestyle solutions in our busy lifestyles. 

    Lavina is a Patron of the Menopause Mandate.  Lavina is a proud Ambassador for Diabetes UK, Wellbeing of Women, Age UK and Alzheimer’s Society.  She has a social media following of over 180k @feelgoodwithlavina 

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  • Dr Fiona McCarthy is a Consultant Medical Oncologist with specialist expertise in the dermatological side effects of cancer treatment.Alongside her oncology practice, she is the Founder and Medical Director of The Bronte Clinic in London, a specialist dermatology and aesthetics clinic committed to evidence-based skin health. Dr McCarthy was awarded aPhD from the University of London in 2017 for her research into immune cell behaviour in cancer. She serves on the Medical Advisory Board for Future Dreams Breast Cancer Charity and is a Key Opinion Leader for La Roche-Posay, supporting their partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support and contributing to national patient-education initiatives. A dedicated advocate for empowering patients, Dr McCarthy is passionate about providing clear, practical guidance to help people understand and care for their skin at every stage of life, including before, during and after cancer treatment.

  • Hair Expert Jasmin is The UK’s leading cancer treatment related hair loss expert and the only hairdresser to become an NHS Nurse Educator.

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  • Dannielle is a qualified Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor with extensive experience supporting individuals and families through life's most challenging moments. 

    Dannielle has worked at the Fountain Centre since 2014, an independent cancer support charity based at The Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford, where she is the Psychological Support Service Lead. She manages a team of 24 volunteer counsellors and developed the Centre's family and children's service to support parents navigating difficult conversations with their children about cancer, including end of life care. During COVID-19, she delivered psychological support to NHS staff across multiple departments and disciplines and provides ongoing clinical supervision to Clinical Nurse Specialists.  

    Alongside her work at the Fountain Centre, Dannielle runs a private practice where she supports children and young adults facing emotional and developmental challenges, as well as adults navigating the complexities of caring roles, careers, and their own emotional wellbeing. Dannielle also provides consultancy services to a range of corporate organisations and charities, including Future Dreams. 

  • Rosie Taylor is an award-winning freelance journalist, specialising in women’s health. She write for publications including The Times, the Independent, the Telegraph, the Guardian, the Daily Mail and the i paper, and is the host of Mother Bodies, the podcast about postnatal health and why it matters.

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  • Paula Briggs is a Consultant in Sexual and Reproductive Health based at 
    Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust. 
    She is Immediate Past Chair of the British Menopause Society. 

    Paula qualified from University of Glasgow in 1987.  She trained as a GP before moving to Liverpool in 1993 and worked in General Practice and Sexual Health until 2012. She is now devoted to delivery of women’s health care, research and education. Her main interest is menopause management with a particular 
    interest in urogenital atrophy. 
    She has co-edited 3 books, (one second edition), co-written an undergraduate textbook in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, a revision guide for MFSRH and a book specifically for men about female hormones. She has also written a patient booklet on menopause (second edition). She co-authored a myth busting book on contraception for the lay public and is working on a similar menopause patient book with colleagues currently. She also has 2 new 
    patient booklets, one co-authored on sexual and reproductive health after 
    gynaecological cancer and the other on urogenital atrophy. 


  • Dr Kanji is a consultant dermatologist at St John's Institute of Dermatology at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospital Lewisham. Alongside her NHS practice, she works at the Cadogan Clinic and the Bronte Clinic, both in London.

    She treats adults and children of all ages with a range of conditions including eczema, psoriasis, acne, vitiligo, pigmentation disorders and hair loss as well as performing skin cancer screening, mole checks and skin surgery.

    She studied Medicine at King's College London, undertook specialist dermatology training in London and has gained international experience at The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard University. She went on to complete a senior fellowship in at St John's Institute of Dermatology specialising in all aspects of paediatric dermatology. Dr Kanji also holds a degree in Natural Sciences and a PhD in Molecular Microbiology from the University of Cambridge.

    She is passionate about advancing treatments in dermatology empowering people to optimise their skin health. She has contributed to leading research and clinical trials, published widely in peer-reviewed journals and has been appointed to the Medical Advisory Board of the National Eczema Society.

  • Clio is a women’s health advocate, journalist and author. She is the founder of CensHERship, a campaign that aims to tackle social media censorship of women’s health and sexual wellbeing content.


  • Dr Kanji is a consultant dermatologist at St John's Institute of Dermatology at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospital Lewisham. Alongside her NHS practice, she works at the Cadogan Clinic and the Bronte Clinic, both in London.

    She treats adults and children of all ages with a range of conditions including eczema, psoriasis, acne, vitiligo, pigmentation disorders and hair loss as well as performing skin cancer screening, mole checks and skin surgery.

    She studied Medicine at King's College London, undertook specialist dermatology training in London and has gained international experience at The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard University. She went on to complete a senior fellowship in at St John's Institute of Dermatology specialising in all aspects of paediatric dermatology. Dr Kanji also holds a degree in Natural Sciences and a PhD in Molecular Microbiology from the University of Cambridge.

    She is passionate about advancing treatments in dermatology empowering people to optimise their skin health. She has contributed to leading research and clinical trials, published widely in peer-reviewed journals and has been appointed to the Medical Advisory Board of the National Eczema Society.

  • Illiyin Morrison is an award winning dedicated registered midwife, author and perinatal trauma specialist. With a passion for supporting women during their perinatal journeys, Illiyin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her work. Her book, "The Birth Debrief," offers a compassionate guide for mothers, parents, partners, professionals and more to navigate the complexities of perinatal experiences, providing insights and tools to process and heal.

    Illiyin's unwavering commitment to maternal well-being extends beyond the birthing suite. Through social media, lecturing and public speaking, Illiyin advocates for comprehensive postpartum care, destigmatizing mental health challenges, racism and unconscious bias and fostering a supportive community for all mothers. Her advocacy work emphasizes the importance of self-care, communal care, self-acceptance, and embracing the transformative journey of motherhood.

    As a midwife, author, and influential figure, Illiyin Morrison continues to inspire and empower mothers, creating a positive impact on their lives and the broader maternal health landscape.

GUT HUT SPEAKERS

  • Brigitte has over 25 years’ experience in the field of bowel dysfunction. Her career has progressed from working within an acute colorectal ward to becoming a CNS in Stoma Care and up until just over 5 years ago was the Lead Nurse within the Biofeedback service at St Marks Hospital, London for 14 years, where she was able to complete an MSc in GI nursing and degree module for Nurse Prescribing.

    Since 2018 she has taken up the post of clinical education and is now ‘Head of Clinical Education’ for Qufora Ltd.

  • Emma Carrington is an academic consultant colorectal surgeon with a specialist practice in pelvic floor disorders, neurogastroenterology and inflammatory bowel disease.

    She works in St Marys Hospital and is a Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London.

WOMEN LIKE ME SPEAKERS

  • Dawn Heels, a multi-award-winning advocate, raises awareness of uterine fibroids online, in person, and through initiatives like My Fibroid Journey and her not-for-profit, The Guidance Suite. Featured by BBC and Sky News, she informs and campaigns for change, empowering women globally to take control of their womb health through education and support.

BIRTH & BEYOND SPEAKERS

  • Theo Clarke was the Member of Parliament for Stafford. She chaired the first parliamentary inquiry into birth trauma in British history and previously set up the All Party Parliamentary Group on Birth Trauma in the House of Commons. She won 'Political Speech of the Year' at the Parliamentarian of the Year Awards and was included in the Top 100 Women in Westminster in 2024.

  • Dr Anisha Patel is a GP, specializing in women's health, menopause and cancer.

    Anisha received the bombshell diagnosis of bowel cancer at the age of 39. Since then, her energy has been focused on raising awareness of bowel cancer while sharing her own story, from diagnosis through life after cancer, initially through her popular Instagram account, @doctorsgetcancertoo. Today, she is an author, speaker, campaigner, and health content creator/educator. 

    Her debut book, Everything You Hoped You'd Never Need to Know About Bowel Cancer, was an Amazon bestseller. 

    Anisha appears regularly as an onscreen TV doctor on ITV’s Lorraine, as well as BBC, ITV news, and Talk TV. She has also be featured in podcasts, magazines, and print media, breaking health taboos and talking all things health, women’s health, and cancer. 

    Anisha has taken part in a variety of health and cancer-related campaigns, including for the NHS and for charities, working alongside them and using her unique perspective as both patient and doctor and addressing health inequalities. 

  • Founder and Clinical Director of Everywoman Festival

    Julie is a Consultant Colorectal Surgeon & Professor of Surgery in Cardiff with a specialist interest in pelvic floor problems that occur after childbirth and bowel surgery. She has a strong research interest and has published more than 70 peer reviewed papers and is regularly invited to speak nationally and internationally. Julie is a busy mum of three children and a cocker spaniel.

  • Dr. Aziza Sesay is an award winning GP, Educator, Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer and medical broadcaster celebrated for her contributions to health education, awareness, and advocacy. As the founder of "Talks with Dr. Sesay," she empowers audiences with evidence-based health information, focusing on women’s health, cancer awareness, mental health, and health inequity. Dr. Sesay serves as Vice Chair and Creative Director of Black Female Doctors UK and is an Ambassador for leading health charities, including The Eve Appeal and Wellbeing of Women. Featured in major media outlets, she is a regular GP on BBC Breakfast. She has also collaborated with numerous organisations including NHS England, the Department of Health, YouTubeHealth, and WHO, contributing to national and global public health campaigns.Recognised with the prestigious Point of Light Award and others, Dr. Sesay is a trusted voice in healthcare, committed to improving outcomes and addressing health inequities.

  • Rosie Taylor is an award-winning freelance journalist, specialising in women’s health. She write for publications including The Times, the Independent, the Telegraph, the Guardian, the Daily Mail and the i paper, and is the host of Mother Bodies, the podcast about postnatal health and why it matters.

  • Julianne Moore is a Partner in the Medical Negligence team at Irwin Mitchell.

    She has specialised in medical negligence for over 15 years and has particular interest and expertise in: 

    Birth injury claims, including cerebral palsy, neonatal deaths and stillbirth.

  • Rebecca Moore is a perinatal psychiatrist who works to support women and birthing people through pregnancy and the postpartum. She is really passionate about reducing the amount of trauma that people can experience related to their birth experience. She is the co-founder of Make Birth Better and a fierce advocate for compassion and kindness as being central to healthcare. 

  • Anne is a Partner at Irwin Mitchell. She specialises in representing women and children injured through pregnancy, obstetric, or gynaecological treatment as part of her broader clinical negligence caseload.

  • Shakira Akabusi is a pre & postnatal exercise specialist, author, speaker & founder of StrongLikeMum, supporting women with their health throughout pregnancy & motherhood. Aiming to shatter the stereotypes around exercise for women, Shakira is passionate about combining her expertise & personal experience as a mum of 4 to help women lead healthier lives.

  • Laura-Rose is an LGBTQIA+, Maternity and Fertility Activist, educator, writer, seasoned speaker, and campaigner, and a lesbian mother of four donor conceived children by IUI and IVF over fourteen years.  She is both a Biological and Non-Biological mother and has lived experience of operative birth, failed cycles, miscarriage, secondary infertility and birth trauma. She is CEO of Make Birth Better and Founder of LGBT Mummies and has trained and lectured across the NHS, University of Cambridge and other Universities, and works with the Government and created systemic change across reproductive health for LGBTQIA+ people and other marginalised communities. She holds multiple roles across NHSE, RCOG, UCL, HFEA, MMHA, influencing change to create equity and equality. 

  • Illiyin Morrison is an award winning dedicated registered midwife, author and perinatal trauma specialist. With a passion for supporting women during their perinatal journeys, Illiyin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her work. Her book, "The Birth Debrief," offers a compassionate guide for mothers, parents, partners, professionals and more to navigate the complexities of perinatal experiences, providing insights and tools to process and heal.

    Illiyin's unwavering commitment to maternal well-being extends beyond the birthing suite. Through social media, lecturing and public speaking, Illiyin advocates for comprehensive postpartum care, destigmatizing mental health challenges, racism and unconscious bias and fostering a supportive community for all mothers. Her advocacy work emphasizes the importance of self-care, communal care, self-acceptance, and embracing the transformative journey of motherhood.

    As a midwife, author, and influential figure, Illiyin Morrison continues to inspire and empower mothers, creating a positive impact on their lives and the broader maternal health landscape.

MENOPAUSE SPEAKERS

  • Professor Dame Lesley Regan is a consultant gynaecologist and Professor at St Mary’s, Imperial College London. Her specialist interests include miscarriage, pregnancy complications, contraception, menstrual disorders, fibroids, and menopause. She is the UK’s first Women’s Health Ambassador and leads at Wellbeing of Women and Welbeck.

  • Dr Ellie Rashid is a consultant dermatologist at St John’s Institute of Dermatology, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. She consults on all aspects of dermatology, including paediatric dermatology, acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, pigmentation disorders and vitiligo, and is clinical lead for the complex medical dermatology tertiary hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) service.

  • Professor Dennis Chan is an academic neurologist and an international authority on the early detection of Alzheimer's disease. He leads a research team work at the UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience while his clinical work is based at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust where he runs a specialist memory clinic. His clinical focus is mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer's disease.

  • Dr Saira Hameed is a consultant endocrinologist. She works within the Imperial Weight Centre, St Mary’s Hospital London, a world-class centre of excellence for weight management and within the Imperial Centre for Endocrinology which has an international reputation for clinical and academic excellence in endocrinology.

  • Dr Lim is Chair of Welbeck Heart Health and an expert in ablation, training junior doctors in treatments for atrial fibrillation, flutter, supraventricular tachycardia, and pacemaker implantation. He leads research into AF and syncope at Imperial College London and has over 100 publications. He authored Keeping Your Heart Healthy, a layperson’s guide published by Penguin.

  • Miss Kiki Mistry is a consultant urological surgeon with a specialist interest in female and functional urology. She trained in London and Edinburgh, completed a fellowship in neuro-urology, and was appointed at Frimley Health in 2020. She manages incontinence, UTIs, and general urology conditions.

  • Dr Victoria Swale is a consultant dermatologist specialising in moles, lesions, skin cancer and vulval disease. Dr Swale is also a consultant dermatologist at the Royal Free London NHS Trust. She has a special interest in the diagnosis of moles and other benign and malignant skin lesions using dermoscopy, and the use of mole mapping for monitoring. She also has a special interest in the management of vulval conditions such as lichen sclerosus.

  • Prof Leschziner is a consultant neurologist and professor of neurology and sleep medicine. He runs general neurology clinics, as well as specialist sleep and epilepsy clinics. For over a decade, he developed one of the leading multidisciplinary sleep services at Guy's Hospital. In addition to his clinical practice, he is active in public communication and medical education, as an author of several books and presenter for the BBC.

  • Ms Sarah Mills is a consultant colorectal surgeon specialising in colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and haemorrhoids. Ms Mills is a JAG accredited endoscopist and is currently developing a specialist practice in interventional endoscopy and cuttingedge techniques for treating complex polyps and early rectal cancers.

  • Miss Palmer is a specialist consultant gynaecologist. She is unique in her vulval disease expertise and is an accredited Advanced British Menopause Specialist and BMS/FSRH Menopause Trainer. At Welbeck, Miss Palmer and her multidisciplinary colleagues provide a comprehensive Menopause, Vulva, Ano-genital and HPV service.

  • Lucy Allen is a consultant physiotherapist in digestive and pelvic health with expertise in biofeedback therapy. She specialises in functional bowel conditions, obstructive defecation, faecal incontinence and urgency, constipation, IBS, IBD, anterior resection syndrome, anal pain, bladder dysfunction, vaginismus, prolapse and obstetric birth injury.

  • Dr Kapil Bhargava is a consultant dermatologist specialising in skin cancer, hair and nail disorders, Mohs and dermatological surgery, cosmetic and laser dermatology. Dr Bhargava is also a consultant dermatologist at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, where he is the Lead for Skin Cancer and Dermatologic Surgery, and The Royal London Hospital, where he founded and is the Lead of the Mohs micrographic surgery unit.

  • Ms Shamim Umarji is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon with a specialist interest in the Hand and Wrist and Sports injuries. She is also the Clinical Director for the Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics at St George’s Hospital.

  • Dr Aaisha Opel is an award-winning, highly experienced consultant cardiologist, electrophysiologist and medical director of Heart Health. She consults on all aspects of cardiology, investigating palpitation, chest pain, breathlessness, dizziness, collapse, as well as screening and risk factor control, autonomic dysfunction and women’s health.

  • Dr. Simrat Marwah is the medical director of Welbeck’s Health Assessment and Longevity Centre. She has extensive experience in various medical specialities, encompassing both acute and chronic adult and paediatric medicine. She has worked in private practice for almost a decade and takes a very personalised approach to patient care.