International Women's Day #ThisIsMe special: Jean McDonald
Thank you to Jean McDonald, one of our Consultant Urological Surgeons, for taking part in a special #ThisIsMe blog to mark International Women's Day today. Jean has worked at North Mid for 28 years and has done some incredible work during her time here - most notably for her guidance, mentoring and work with junior doctors.
What is your job title and how long have you worked at North Mid?
My job title is Consultant Urological Surgeon and I was appointed to that post here at North Middlesex Hospital in January 1995 - 28 years ago. I was the first black woman in the UK to be appointed a consultant urological surgeon in 1995.
Could you tell us about your journey, about how you came to be in your role?
I did my jobs as a junior doctor in various hospitals around the country including Kings Lyn, Newmarket and then I came into urology. I developed an interest in urology whilst working in Newmarket. There was no specific training program at the time for urology so I just applied for any urology jobs advertised and was lucky to work with some amazing urological surgeons. I also did part of my registrar training at North Middlesex from about 1988 and also at the institute of Urology (UCL London).
What is the best advice you have received, and how have you used it?
Best advice was from my parents at a young age which was that, as long as I worked hard I could achieve anything I wanted.
What has been your biggest challenge in your career and how have you overcome it?
My biggest challenge was the fact that at that time, there were no specific training programs in urology so it was pot luck who you worked for. It was very difficult to get a job in urology as it was not such a recognised sub-speciality and general surgeons would have an interest in urology and perform urological procedures. I also had no mentors so I had to learn everything from scratch.
To overcome it, I would, when I went to meetings, ask the speakers if I could come and observe them.
How are you inspiring the next generation of urological surgeons?
I take my trainees with me on my travels to do charity work in developing countries so they can experience what it is like in a low resource country. I also take them with me to meetings so they can be exposed to cutting edge technology. I also try to set a good example by doing my job thoroughly and conscientiously and teaching the juniors.