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International Women’s Day is a time to honour the remarkable achievements of women and to recognise the ongoing journey towards equality and empowerment. It is a day dedicated to celebrating the contributions of women and a great opportunity for us to shine a spotlight on some of the amazing medical experts working with IML.
In this article we highlight the inspirations, motivations, and accomplishments of two incredible Inspire Medilaw members and business partners who have embraced their medio-legal journey while achieving real-life balance.
Embrace connections and don’t worry or regret letting go of those that are a struggle. Human connections will shape you forever, both personally and professionally. You will work in many teams, some long-lasting and others more transient. Relish change—it’s an opportunity to make a difference.
And prioritise balance; it’s not just about professional teamwork. Be more active in club/team sports at uni. Team camaraderie is incredibly satisfying and good for the sporting soul. There is nothing I love more now than rowing with my teammates on the River Yealm in Devon.
Professionally, Dr. Kathyrn Mannix, a pioneering consultant in palliative care. Passionate about communication and education, she has devoted her career to ‘breaking down the death taboo’ and empowering so many to feel more in control at the end of life.
Dr. Orla Conlon, Consultant in Gynaecology (and, incidentally, my sister). I am always inspired by her dedication to women’s health. Her success and support have empowered me to pursue a medico-legal career.
Growing up, sporting heroes like Monica Seles and today, Mikaela Shiffrin, both overcame adversity to succeed once more and be at the top of their game. I am so fortunate to meet multiple role models. The many patients and carers who live with extraordinary challenges. supported by wonderful staff and volunteers.
My personal role models for this year are two friends, Caroline Pellow and Helena Procter, who have just qualified as HM Coastguards. I am so inspired by their selflessness and drive to make a difference and inspire more women in a typically male-dominated volunteering field.
Overcoming personal adversity—vertebral fractures Aged 18 definitely changed my own philosophy to be more open to opportunities and just go for it.
Currently I have a wonderful family and professional life where I am thriving in a portfolio career in general practice, where I have been able to pursue a special interest in cancer and end-of-life care and make a difference in so many people’s lives.
Winning the National Team Excellence Award for my Devon Macmillan GP work in 2014 was superb, but more so, I am proud of the impact my team’s work has had on so many people’s lives, facilitating better end-of-life care and driving change. I believe strongly in the dignity of the patient in life and death and the importance of getting it right, especially at the end.
It’s this positive attitude and commitment that has allowed me to pursue a career as a medico-legal expert and build a business with people I can trust. Emily Clapham and I make a first-rate team.
Personally, I am proud of my sporting and community connections, especially representing my rowing club at the World Pilot Gig Championships. I am also sticking to re-learning French thanks to a Duolingo streak!
Absolument! It is a fulfilling, flexible career that enhances my clinical practice through reflection and promotes higher standards of care. Women in medico-legal are under-represented. We need to embrace our professionalism and see ourselves as the experts that we are to foster an inclusive working environment.
When I was 25, a family friend gave me incredible advice: shape your career around what truly matters to you. She pointed out that my love for the countryside and the sea might not align with a career in oncology, which is often city-based.
That insight led me to become a GP with a special interest in cancer and palliative care—giving me the best of both worlds. I have a fulfilling, varied career, yet I still get to walk on the beach in the evenings and raise my children in the beautiful Devon countryside.
Professionally, I admire Ilora Finlay, Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, whom I met while working at the Wales College of Medicine Students’ Union. As Vice Dean and a Professor of Palliative Care, she demonstrated how genuine interest in people can drive meaningful change. Her ability to advocate for what she believed in—both in medicine and as a life peer in the House of Lords—was inspiring. From her, I learnt the power of truly listening to people’s stories.
Personally, I’m fortunate to be surrounded by an incredible team. Two colleagues who stand out are my business partner, Mairead, whose enthusiasm and positivity are boundless, and my friend Dr. Jo Black, who sees creative possibilities in almost any situation. Both have been instrumental in supporting me as I’ve built a new business and expanded my work.
I’m proud of the life I’ve built because it is uniquely mine. Success isn’t just about professional achievements; it’s about the impact we have on others. Whether it’s remembering that it’s forest school day for my seven-year-old or supporting a patient in their 40s facing terminal cancer, I’m proud of the simple achievements alongside the professional accomplishments.
Absolutely. Being an expert witness is a varied and fascinating role where you can apply your clinical experience in a new way while being well compensated for your skills. If you’re detail-orientated and good at summarising complex situations, you’ll find the transition to medicolegal work quite natural. Writing reports is much like conducting case reviews—just with more structure and technical detail.
The flexibility is another great advantage, allowing you to fit the work around other commitments. It also enhances your clinical practice, as you’re constantly learning and staying up to date. I’d love to see more women enter this field to ensure female clinical voices are well represented in the medicolegal space.
If you have been inspired by the words of Dr Mairead McIntyre and Dr Emily Clapham and would like to pursue a medico-legal career, Inspire Medilaw are here to help. Get in touch with us to learn more.
