Mehar Shiju, a research and evaluation associate at the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston, has just embarked on a three-year development programme run by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
The scheme is designed to strengthen research leadership and support the development of a research culture across health and care organisations.
Mehar Shiju, a nurse at the James Paget University Hospital, has just embarked on a three-year development programme (Image: James Paget University Hospital)
Ms Shiju said: “I am incredibly grateful to have been awarded a place on the programme.
“My own experience of navigating a research career has shaped my passion for making research opportunities and pathways more visible and accessible to others.
“I am excited to use this opportunity to build on the work already happening at the James Paget and strengthen research capacity, capability and confidence across our nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals’ workforce.”
Ms Shiju is the first person from James Paget to secure a place on the highly competitive programme.
She has worked at the hospital for 10 years in roles including staff nurse and clinical educator, and now currently serves as deputy programme director for the NIHR Health and Care Professional Internship Programme in the East of England.
Aerial view of the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston (Image: James Paget University Hospital)
She will join a group of nurses, midwives and allied health professionals from healthcare organisations nationwide to develop her leadership skills to help her become a research ambassador at the Paget.
Claire Whitehouse, clinical director of research and development at the Paget, said: “Mehar’s success in securing a place on this highly regarded programme perfectly reflects our ongoing ambition to widen research opportunities for both our staff and the local community.
“Securing this is a wonderful achievement.
“It follows three years of dedicated work by Mehar, which has already delivered measurable patient, public and staff impact across JPUH and our wider population.”
For more information about the programme, visit the NIHR website.