Transformational Thinking For Health Leaders - from Fiona Day Consulting
Dr. Fiona Day 23 episodes Nov 4, 2026
Dr Fiona Day, a registered coaching psychologist, hosts conversations with medical and public health leaders to help listeners tackle complex leadership challenges. The show blends interviews with emerging and established health leaders, exploring their career journeys, decision-making, and lessons learned. It also examines how these leaders balance multiple professional and personal roles. The goal is to provide thought-provoking insights and real-world perspectives for health professionals and leaders.
Episodes
27 - Leading Without Authority: The Human Skills Behind Effective Public Health Leadership
What does effective public health leadership look like when you don't have the authority to simply tell people what to do?In this episode of Transformational Thinking for Health Leaders, Dr Fiona Day is joined by Professor Jim McManus, National Director of Health and Wellbeing at Public Health Wales and former President of the Association of Directors of Public Health.Drawing on his extensive
26 - Beyond Traditional Healthcare Leadership: AI, Innovation and the Power of Hope with Dr Arokia Antonysamy
What happens when a senior medical leader steps away from a successful career to challenge how we think about mental healthcare, innovation and the future of leadership?In this episode of Transformational Thinking for Health Leaders, Dr Fiona Day welcomes Dr Arokia Antonysamy, an award-winning psychiatrist, former senior medical director, author and health technology entrepreneur.Drawing on her ex
25 - The Future of Health Leadership: People, AI and the Power of Listening with Jim Campbell
What does the future of health leadership look like in a world of workforce pressures, geopolitical uncertainty and rapidly developing artificial intelligence?In this episode of Transformational Thinking for Health Leaders, I'm joined by Professor Jim Campbell, Professor of Practice in Health Workforce at King's College London and a globally recognised leader in health workforce and heal
24 - From Pandemic to Purpose: Prof Yvonne Doyle on Public Health Leadership
My guest on this episode of 'Transformational Thinking for Health Leaders' is Professor Yvonne Doyle CB FMedSci, one of the UK’s most experienced public health leaders, whose career has spanned the NHS, government, academia, the independent sector and international health.Yvonne provided leadership for health protection in England during the COVID-19 pandemic, served as Medical Director
23 - Welcome to Season 3 - A Decade of Transforming Health Leadership
Welcome to Series 3 of Transformational Thinking for Health Leaders.This year marks a very special milestone: the 10th anniversary of Fiona Day Consulting.In this opening episode, I look back at how my coaching psychology practice began in 2016, when I was working as an NHS Associate Medical Director and board-level public health leader, and how it has evolved over the past decade.Nearly 4,000 hou
22 - Alwyn Abraham
Today, I’m joined by Mr Alwyn Abraham, Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon at University Hospitals of Leicester, medical educationalist, healthcare leader, and Chair-Elect of World Orthopaedic Concern.Alwyn reflects on nearly four decades in medicine, from his early training at Edinburgh Medical School to leading large multidisciplinary teams under extreme pressure. He shares candid insights
21 - Dr. Ahsana Nazish
In this episode, I speak with Dr Ahsana Nazish, a public health leader whose work bridges hospital management, health systems, and policy. She leads a network of primary care filter clinics across Punjab, delivering screening and treatment for liver and kidney diseases while pursuing her Doctorate in Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.Ahsana shares her remarkable j
20 - Dr Imran Ahmad
Today, I’m joined by Dr Imran Ahmad, a GP board partner for a large primary care organisation in London, GP training programme director, and clinical lead in transformation projects.We talk about his journey from traditional general practice into strategic and system-level leadership, and how he has learned to balance clinical care with board responsibilities, mentoring, and integrated care work.I
19 - Prof Eva-Maria Graf
Today, I talk with Associate Professor Eva-Maria Graf, a leading expert in coaching linguistics and founder of the international QUESCO research project on questioning practices in coaching.We explore what really happens in coaching conversations, how questions shape insight and change, and what makes coaching distinct from therapy or friendly support. Eva shares the story behind QUESCO, a three-c
18 - Dr Phil Sherrard
Today, I'm joined by Dr Phil Sherrard, consultant anaesthetist, educator, digital instructional designer, and actor. Phil shares his unique career journey - from becoming one of the UK’s youngest consultant anaesthetists to building a portfolio career that blends medicine, teaching, creativity, and performance.He opens up about overcoming anxiety, rediscovering his love of acting and music, a
17 - Laurie Tomlinson
Today, I'm speaking with Professor Laurie Tomlinson, NIHR Research Professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and former consultant nephrologist. Laurie shares her unconventional career journey - from early uncertainty in clinical training, to taking bold risks that led her into epidemiology and ground-breaking research.Laurie reflects on the lessons learned from navigati
16 - What Really Works in Health Leadership Development
Welcome to Season 2 of Transformational Thinking for Health LeadersIn this opening episode, Dr Fiona Day takes a closer look into the latest evidence on what really works in health leadership development. With the NHS England 10-Year Plan (2025–2035) setting bold ambitions for outstanding leadership across healthcare, and a major new umbrella review published in BMJ Leader, Fiona critiques current
15 - Season 2 of Transformational Thinking for Health Leaders is Coming
In this short introduction, Dr Fiona Day reflects on the journey so far - over 1,300 downloads, a brief spot in the Apple Top 10 Health Podcasts, and 14 inspiring conversations in Series 1.Fiona also shares her gratitude for the feedback and support, invites new listeners to explore the Series 1 archive, and opens the door for medical and public health leaders who might like to be future guests.🎧
14 - Dr. Reza Jarral
From Frontline GP to Global Health Leader: Dr. Reza Jarral on Digital Health and EquityIn this episode of Transformational Thinking for Health Leaders, I sit down with Dr. Reza Jarral, an NHS-trained GP and digital health leader, currently based in New Zealand. Reza has led multi-million-dollar healthcare initiatives, developed equity-focused telehealth services, and is about to embark on a Harkne
13 - Diane Ashiru-Oredope
In this episode, I speak with Professor Diane Ashiru-Oredope, a credentialed consultant pharmacist and a leading voice in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and pharmaceutical public health. Diane shares her fascinating career journey - from frontline clinical pharmacy to national and international leadership roles shaping AMR policy and advancing pharmaceutical public health.We explore: ✅ The evoluti
12 - Jamie Hayes
Jamie is a pharmacist and director in NHS Wales and an Honorary Professor at Cardiff Metropolitan University, School of Sport and Health Sciences. A clinical pharmacist by background, Jamie has a thirty-year career in healthcare leadership, medical education and behavioural change. He served as an elected board member for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society for six years, from 2016 to 2022, and was a
11 - Meherunissa Hamid
In this episode of Transformational Thinking for Health Leaders, I speak with Meherunissa Hamid, a dedicated public health professional from Pakistan currently pursuing a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.Meherunissa shares her insights on bridging the gap between policy and real-world health and social care interventions, drawing from her exten
10 - Dr. Andrew Furber
Professor Andrew Furber is the Regional Director of Public Health for the North West of England. In this episode of Transformational Thinking for Health Leaders, Andrew shares his fascinating journey - from working as a GP with no fixed career plan to leading at the highest levels of public health across the UK and internationally.We explore:🔹 How to embrace career transitions and unexpected oppor
09 - Dr. Safiya Virji
Dr Safiya Virji is a GP, an NHS Appraiser for GPs, and a Training Programme Director for NHS England leading the educational provision for GPs in training. She is also an Associate Dean of General Practice leading on health equity training, and a senior clinical lecturer for primary care for undergraduate medical students at Queen Marys University of London. Safiya has particular interests in stra
08 - Nick Shannon
Nick Shannon is a business psychologist whose work helps organisations achieve better and more sustainable performance by improving the selection and development of their leaders and leadership teams. Nick works as a coach, consultant, mentor and facilitator within a diverse range of organisations Nick is a Chartered Coaching Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society.
07 - Dr. Girija Anand
Dr Girija Anand, (informally known as Gij) has been a Consultant Clinical Oncologist for almost 15 years. She is now also an Associate Medical director at a North London NHS Trust where her responsibilities include clinical governance for doctors and professional affairs. Reflective Questions for Health Leaders1. Have you ever been encouraged into a leadership role before you felt fully ready? Wha
06 - Mat Daniel
Mat Daniel, MMEd MA(Coaching) PhD FRCSEd(ORL-HNS) has over 30 years’ experience in healthcare, and works as a Consultant Paediatric Otorhinolaryngologist. He has / had leadership roles at local, regional and national level, including in medical associations, research, medical education, and guideline development. Mat uses coaching as a leadership style, he trains others in coaching and leadership,
05 - Juliette Alban-Metcalfe
Juliette Alban-Metcalfe is a Chartered Occupational Psychologist and CEO of Real World Group, and is an internationally respected expert in the field of leadership and teamworking behavioural assessment. She has been working with Real World Group for the past 15 years, supporting leadership development with both individuals and groups up to Board level globally. She has a particular passion for a
04 - Andrew Lee
Andrew Lee is a Professor of Public Health at the University of Sheffield, with academic interests in health protection and international health, and is also a Regional Deputy Director for Health Protection with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Andrew first started off medicine in paediatrics before working abroad with an aid agency in Afghanistan and disaster zones (Sri Lanka Asian Tsunami
03 - Allison Streetly
Dr Allison Streetly OBE is a Consultant in Public Health who has recently retired from a full time role as Head of the National Public Health team in NHS England, and was formerly the Director of the NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening programme responsible for its national roll out. If you’re ready to navigate complex system challenges with clarity and confidence, visit fionadayconsulting.
02 - James Dunbar
Professor James Dunbar spent 25 years as a GP in Dundee, also part time in Forensic Medicine and as an Academic. After two years as a Medical Director, he arrived in Australia in 2001 to set up the ‘Greater Green Triangle University Department of Rural Health, Flinders and Deakin Universities’, which allowed him to work on both population health and quality improvement. Prof Dunbar can be contacte
01 - Welcome To My Podcast
Welcome to my very first podcast series.A podcast that will help you meet your most complex leadership challenges.This podcast from Master Practitioner Coach and Chartered Coaching Psychologist Dr Fiona Day will transform your perspectives.It will help you become a more effective and creative leader, with a deeper understanding of yourself and your own world of work. Fiona interviews other medical
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