Dr Camilla shares her passion and journey from being born in Kenya, to establishing her medical career in Wales - highlighting her evolving passion for medicine and the supportive community she found in Wales.
Dr Camilla says:
“No one in my family had any experience of working healthcare, so medicine wasn’t an obvious path for me. But when I was around 12 years old, a volunteer from St John Ambulance knocked on our door one evening fundraising, but before he left, he mentioned the cadet scheme and invited me to go along for a trial session.
“I attended the session and absolutely loved it. From there, I threw myself into first aid at all sorts of events, from marathons to local festivals. It gave me my first real taste of caring for people in their moments of need, and that’s where the seed for medicine was planted. By my early teens, I knew this was what I wanted to do.
“My first applications to medical school unfortunately didn’t go as planned and I did not get into university to study medicine. I decided to take a gap year to reassess my situation, during which time my parents moved away to Abu Dhabi. I worked for six months with Etihad Airways and spent the rest of the year travelling, diving and trekking in Nepal. It was a year that taught me renewed independence, resilience, and perspective.
“When I reapplied, I received interviews from Cardiff, Bristol, and Queen’s Belfast Universities. I felt my Cardiff interview went really well, and I loved the city’s warmth and friendliness. But Bristol offered me a place first, so I made the decision to accept quickly to ensure my future. As much as I would have liked to have studied in Cardiff, looking back, the decision to go to Bristol set off a chain of events that would change my life forever and eventually bring me back to Wales anyway.
“I started at Bristol University in 2013 and completed my medical degree there, graduating in 2019. During my studies, I spent a year in Pre-Hospital Medicine with the London Air Ambulance, which was an incredible experience. At the time, I thought I wanted to specialise in Emergency Medicine, but as I gained more experience and knowledge in different areas of medicine, my goals for the future evolved and changed.
“Bristol was also where I met my Welsh husband, who’s now a Trauma and Orthopaedic registrar. We got married while we were still at university and when we both graduated, Wales naturally became a big part of our story and future as we had to decide between staying in Bristol or moving to Wales. We both loved Bristol, but ultimately, family and lifestyle won. His family is based in Wales, and we knew that having that support network would make the demanding foundation years much easier. My parents were still abroad at that time, so that local connection meant a lot.
“We were also drawn to the quality of life in Wales; the affordability, the green spaces, and the balance between work and recreation. I started my Foundation Year 1 at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in 2019, just before COVID-19 hit. I then became unwell and had to shield during the pandemic, which interrupted my training for a time. When restrictions lifted, I restarted at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, then went on to Morriston Hospital for Urology, and finally to Swansea Hospital, where I completed my F2 year in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
“During shielding, I worried about losing my clinical skills, so I started signing up for online teaching sessions and webinars. One of them was a brilliant series on Obstetrics and Gynaecology. I found myself genuinely excited to log on each week, not because I had to, but because I wanted to. That was a lightbulb moment for me.
“I organised a taster week in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Princess of Wales Hospital and absolutely loved it and later took on a full rotation. It confirmed everything I suspected at the time, that I’d finally found my specialty. I then officially entered Obstetrics and Gynaecology training in 2023.
“Soon after, I became pregnant, which brought a new, very personal perspective to the field. I took maternity leave after my baby was born in early 2024 and I returned to work later that year at The Grange University Hospital. I was paired with two fantastic registrars on my return, who both took the time to aid with my professional development and who both became great friends, as well as excellent mentors. My senior registrar and I soon realised our boys were in the same class at nursery and so less than a year down the line, she is now one of my closest friends and colleagues and we enjoy spending time together in both in a work and family setting.
“I’m now in my second year of Obstetrics and Gynaecology training, based at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. One of the things I love most about training in Wales is how connected and supportive the community is. It’s a small country, so you get to know colleagues across multiple hospitals, and that makes such a difference, both professionally and personally.
“I’ve been really fortunate to work with mentors who have guided me through research projects and training milestones. I’m currently involved in research around blood clots in pregnancy and the postpartum period, aiming to improve how we assess and reduce the risk of a leading cause of maternal mortality in the UK.
“The mentorship culture here is something special. There’s a national mentorship scheme that pairs juniors with senior doctors, but even beyond that, there’s a genuine willingness among consultants to lift up their trainees. I’ve been taken under the wing of incredible mentors who’ve not only guided me academically but also supported me as a new mum balancing training and family life.
“After having my son, I’ve been slowly getting back into running and cycling, two things I love. Cardiff and the surrounding areas are perfect for that, with scenic routes through Roath Park, along the Taff Trail, and even around the Bay. There’s so much outdoor space and it never feels overly urban or crowded.
“I’m hoping to complete a triathlon soon. I had to postpone one recently due to doctors’ orders after a flare-up of my asthma, but I’m eyeing up one in Cardiff next summer and maybe one in West Wales too, which would also be a perfect excuse for a little family holiday.
“For me, Wales offers the best of everything. You get excellent clinical experience, from tertiary centres like the University Hospital of Wales, to district general hospitals where you develop your core surgical and medical skills. But beyond that, there’s a real sense of belonging.
“The training structure is transparent, the senior leadership is approachable and there’s always someone to turn to for advice or encouragement. I genuinely feel valued and supported here, not just as a trainee, but as a person.
“When people ask me why I chose Wales, I tell them it’s because it’s the kind of place where you can thrive professionally and build a happy, balanced personal life. I’m proud to train and work here, and I can’t imagine doing it anywhere else.”