2024 Finalist
Voting for the People's Choice Award is now live!
You can vote for your chosen shortlisted nominee using the button below
Mental Health Advocate of the Year
Dr Natasha Binnie
Dr Natasha Binnie is an award-winning doctor who has been praised for her positive influence on social media. Natasha is the Co-Founder of Future Frontline CIC, an organisation which inspires and supports today and tomorrow's healthcare professionals. Natasha is a mental health advocate and Trustee of the charity, You Okay, Doc?.
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Dr Julia Ogunmuyiwa
I am a South London based Consultant Psychiatrist, passionate about supporting the mental health of the local community and beyond. I am the founder and trustee of Colourful Minds; a charity who provide advocacy, education and research around the mental health needs of people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.
Dr. Isioma Nwokolo
Dr. Isioma Nwokolo, Consultant Psychiatrist
CEO, Freo Wellbeing, LINCC Foundation
MD, first privately owned Psychiatric hospital / Drug treatment and rehabilitation centre of it’s kind in Nigeria (National research survey, 1999, UNDCP)
Founder, NGO for homeless street boys, girls
Collaborative work with UNDCP, NDLEA
Life Coach, Mentor, Author, Poet, Playwright.
Dr Ally Jaffee
Dr Ally Jaffee MBChB BSc is a multi-award-winning NHS Junior Doctor, Mental Health Speaker/Advocate, Content Creator(20,000+ across socials),Youth Mental Health Charity Trustee and Nutritank co-founder. Dr Ally is pursuing a career in Psychiatry, her dream. Having suffered from Depression, she shares how she cares for her mind too.
Excellence in Clinical Research and Innovation Award
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The Lowdown
The Lowdown is an online women’s health platform conceived by founder Alice Pelton in 2019 after her struggle with endometriosis and contraceptive side effects. Now, we are a growing female team building an engaged research community of users who share their experiences to improve women’s health for all.
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Hertility
Hertility is a women’s health company, supporting women all the way from menstruation
through menopause with comprehensive at-home testing, telemedicine and treatment. Until
now, people with ovaries have been underserved by the healthcare system, so we gathered
the best minds in female health and dedicated years to building an award-winning alternative
clinical experience.
Dr Elsa Zekeng - Soker Data
Elsa Zekeng is a scientist, entrepreneur and policy advocate, whose Ph.D specialised in infectious disease and global health. She is founder & CEO of SökerData, is a company created to ‘plug a data gap’ for sub-populations, by leveraging this data to develop software solutions and insights that increase efficiency and equity in drug discovery, drug characterisation, clinical trial design and regulatory reporting. She was named the Forbes Africa ‘Science-Entrepreneuse’. Elsa is a European Development Days Young Leader and a Youth Delegate for the Africa-Europe Foundation. She frequently engages on topics around equity in health, increasing access to opportunities for economic growth and building equal partnerships between Africa and Europe.
Bamidele Farinre
Bamidele Farinre, a distinguished Chartered Biomedical Scientist and Agile Project Management practitioner, stands as a beacon of excellence in the field of biomedical science. Notable for her exceptional contributions, she has received numerous awards, including the prestigious title of "Biomedical Scientist of the Year 2022" at the UK Advancing Healthcare Awards. Bamidele is a rarity in her expertise as one of the few black female virology experts, navigating her way through this specialized field with remarkable skill. Beyond her laboratory work, she wears multiple hats, serving on professional advisory boards, advocating for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in STEM, school governor and actively participating as a STEM ambassador and role model. Bamidele's commitment to advancing science and fostering diversity makes her a standout figure in the STEM community
Excellence in Social Media Health Advocacy Award
Dr Omon Imohi
Dr. Omon Imohi is a GP & fellow of the Royal College of GPs, champions diversity & inclusion in healthcare. She is Vice Chair of the RCGP Mersey Faculty Board & EDI co-lead. Founder of BWIH, a non-profit organisation empowering Black women in healthcare, to achieve professional & personal excellence.
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Molly Fenton
Molly Fenton is a 21-year-old multi-award-winning activist who runs an international platform for breaking down stigmas and starting vital conversations about young women’s topics that are often overlooked. Molly lives with an inoperable brain tumour and multiple chronic health conditions, and documents her journey of learning to thrive, instead of just survive.
WomenKind Collective
We are Jinty and Lou, lifelong friends who founded the Womenkind Collective Podcast and the associated social media accounts in 2021. We aim to spark conversation around often taboo subjects through the telling of lived experiences and sharing of evidence based information as a free and accessible resource.
Tanya Simon-Hall
Tanya Simon-Hall, founder of The Adeno Gang is a zealous women's health campaigner. She is a passionate advocate for Adenomyosis, a menstrual health educator, and speaker. Tanya is dedicated to educating young people about menstrual health & raising awareness of Adenomyosis. She is driven to end the stigma surrounding menstruation
The 360 Mama
The 360 Mama is a female-led small organisation, passionate about making postpartum recovery and maternal wellbeing better. As mothers ourselves, and through our experience of treating women through the pre and postpartum period, we are well aware of the need to improve maternal health care in the UK.
We believe we are making postpartum recovery information more accessible to everyone. A commitment to share daily advice and information across all of our social media platforms means our team are in contact with women across the world, supporting them through a vulnerable time
Lydia Brain
Lydia Brain- Communications and Media Manager at The Eve Appeal, the UK’s leading gynae cancer charity. Lydia raises awareness of the signs and symptoms of the five gynae cancers- womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal and breaks down taboos around gynae health on Eve’s social media channels @eveappeal.
Health Education Visionary Award
Gemma Poole
Gemma is a natural-born changemaker, and is a registered midwife and award-winning college lecturer. She is the founder of The Essential Baby Company Ltd. and The Essential Baby Co in the Community CIC, focusing on promoting equity and supporting underrepresented communities. Beyond her advocacy work to optimise health for diverse communities, Gemma serves as an NHS Core20 Ambassador, NHS Maternity User Researcher, and a Clinical Entrepreneur. Notably, she made history as the first midwife to host the NHS Innovation Big Pitch event, showcasing her dedication to innovation, inclusivity, and social Justice.
Alimatu Dimonekene MBE
Alimatu Dimonekene MBE, an acclaimed Women and Girls Rights Advocate, is dedicated to improving reproductive health rights, particularly combating harmful practices like female genital mutilation and child marriage. Winner of the Rosie McGrath Activist Award 2018 and the African Achievers Award 2017, she founded A Girl At A Time (SL) and holds an MBE for her impactful work.
Diabetes Africa
Diabetes Africa helps healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs and decision-makers reach more people and make a greater impact fighting diabetes in Africa and around the world.
We find people, organisations and initiatives that are changing patients’ lives, in Africa and around the world. We connect healthcare professionals, start-ups, established businesses, research institutions, non-profit organisations, governments and collectively tackle diabetes and related diseases.
Eve Appeal
Launched in 2002, The Eve Appeal is the UK’s leading national charity funding research and raising awareness for the prevention and earlier diagnosis of the five gynaecological cancers – womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal. Their vision is for a future where gynaecological cancers are a disease of the past.
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Dr Ifewumi Fagunwa
Ifewumi is a medical doctor and the founder of SHAKE Africa, a non-profit dedicated to improving women's health outcomes in Africa and the diaspora. A passionate women's health advocate, she has been recognised as a rising star in healthcare for her impactful initiatives. Ifewumi's commitment lies in making a positive difference and advancing healthcare for women.
Somali Health Exchange ( SHE)
Somali Health Exchange ( SHE) founded in 2018 by Amina Ibrahim MBE an ODP.
SHE is a multidisciplinary consisting of an all female volunteer group made up by medical nursing and allied health.
SHE's Purpose is to improve patient outcomes and strengthen health systems through training and developing healthcare workers in Somaliland , East Africa .
Outstanding Contribution to Oral Health Award
Dr Zara Nortley
Dr Zara Nortley is a Dentist, Clinical Director, Founder, Lecturer and Mentor. Her passion for the community is demonstrated through her innovation, founding KCL SMILE Society and Mission DentAll. She works in dental practice, and runs her own Medical Aesthetics clinics in London and Manchester.
Professor Kirsty Hill
Professor Hill, Head of School for the University of Birmingham's School of Dentistry since 2020, possesses over two decades of expertise in dental education, dental public health, epidemiology, and behavioural science. An advocate for digital learning and enhanced clinical exposure, she emphasises maintaining high teaching standards and collaborative efforts to address challenges in dental education. Professor Hill underscores the need for continued investment in research and incentives for clinical academia to uphold the UK's prominence in dental education amid post-Brexit and post-COVID challenges. She emphasises the importance of collective authority among dental schools to inform policymakers and ensure world-leading dental education and research.
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Dr Rhona Eskander
Dr Rhona Eskander is the founder of London’s leading dental clinic and PÄRLA, an eco-friendly and cruelty free toothpaste brand. Rhona has established herself as a leader in the field by appearing multiple times on BBC Morning Live to talk about the importance of oral health.
Maternal Health Advocate of the Year
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Dr Tipswalo Day
Tipswalo is an Obstetrician who is part of a team who won an HSJ Patient Safety Award and NHS Wales Award for improving culture. Tipswalo is the organiser of Race Matters in Maternity, the first Welsh conference dedicated to addressing disparities for women with diverse racial, ethnic and cultural heritage.
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Sandra Igwe
Sandra Igwe is the founder of The Motherhood Group, supporting Black maternal health through community engagement and advocacy. A leading voice bridging the gap between mothers and stakeholders, she pushes for justice and better care. Named an Influential Woman of the Year by Vogue UK and Forbes.
The 360 Mama
The 360 Mama is a female-led small organisation, passionate about making postpartum recovery and maternal wellbeing better. As mothers ourselves, and through our experience of treating women through the pre and postpartum period, we are well aware of the need to improve maternal health care in the UK.
We believe we are making postpartum recovery information more accessible to everyone. A commitment to share daily advice and information across all of our social media platforms means our team are in contact with women across the world, supporting them through a vulnerable time
Dr Catherine Benhura
Dr. Benhura is a multi-award-winning visionary and mentor with a passion for family medicine, health, & education. She is the founder of Mum’s Pride (CIC), a community support group for mothers, the founder & clinical director of The Community Health Hub, which gives health advice & guidance to the community, and a United Nations Women Delegate.
FivexMore
Five X More is a grassroots organisation committed to changing Black women and birthing people’s maternal health outcomes in the UK. It was initiated in 2019 when two Black mothers came together with the dream of improving maternal mortality rates and health care outcomes for Black women.
Five X More is dedicated to supporting mothers and birthing people with its campaigning work and recommendations. It focuses on empowering Black women and birthing people to make informed choices and advocate for themselves throughout their pregnancies and after childbirth.
Holistic Health and Wellness Champion Award
Adele Johnston (Adele The Menopause Coach)
Established in 2021, The Menopause Coach was founded by Adele Johnston, a world-leading menopause expert, certified positive psychology
coach and nutritionist.
Based in Scotland but operating globally, The Menopause Coach specialises in supporting women aged 35+ through perimenopause and
menopause. It also helps workplaces to better support their teams by running workshops for senior leaders to implement workplace wellbeing
designed to help with menopause. Finally, Adele and her team train and certify other coaches to become Menopause Support Coaches through
their accredited course.
Dr Golnoush Golshirazi
Dr Golnoush Golshirazi is a Cambridge graduate, scientist and entrepreneur who advocates for women’s equality within the healthcare system. After struggling for many years with undiagnosed Endometriosis and upon completing her PhD; Dr Golshirazi went on to establish ScreenMe, where she has used her expertise, experience and passion to revolutionise general, intimate and reproductive health. She believes that through educating people about their own bodies, providing specific advice and testing, and giving continuous support, we can help them to take charge of their health and improve societal health care outcomes for generations to come. Areas this is particularly relevant to, are the vaginal microbiome and seminal microbiome; with Golnoush believing that these are major gateways to health and wellness through disease prevention, reduced risk of infection, fertility, IVF success, uncomfortable symptoms, and so much more.
The Menopause and PMS Service at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
The Menopause and PMS Service at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital offers education and management for women with complex menopause needs, premature ovarian insufficiency and severe PMS/PMDD.
Our team is composed of experienced clinical nurse specialists, GPs, gynaecologists and specialists in genitourinary medicine and HIV. An online support group takes place every month for patients to share their medical journeys, gain peer support and advice from the team. The service also provides a national information service which is well rated by professional users. As a group, we regularly run multiprofessional training days for healthcare professionals and for service users. We are conducting research such as the POISE study, which allows us to generate evidence for current management choices and develop new treatment options for the future.
Dr Catherine Benhura
Dr. Benhura is a multi-award-winning visionary and mentor with a passion for family medicine, health, & education. She is the founder of Mum’s Pride (CIC), a community support group for mothers, the founder & clinical director of The Community Health Hub, which gives health advice & guidance to the community, and a United Nations Women Delegate.
Dr Joan St John
Dr Joan St John is a Doctor specialising in primary -care Diabetes, and is also passionate about tackling health inequalities and inequities.
Joan co-authored the award winning Carbs & Cals World Foods to inform and empower People originating from the global majority that were living with Diabetes .
She is one of the first Diabetes UK Clinical Champions. Throughout her career she has championed and advocated for underserved communities and is a firm believer in the power of education. Joan’s commitment to education has seen her giving many talks and working in partnership with diverse community and religious groups as well as teaching Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists and other allied healthcare professionals.
Joan strives to provide excellent healthcare to all and has provided advice, practical assistance, support and health information to organisations dealing with conditions that disproportionately affect black people and other minority ethnic Communities eg Sickle-cell Society, Culture Dementia as well as Diabetes UK and in the past the ACLT and many other groups.
Health Equity Champion Award
Dr Yansie Rolston
Dr Yansie Rolston is a skilled trainer and facilitator, creating, and sustaining change to improve physical, mental and social wellbeing. She works globally researching, designing, implementing and evaluating health equality strategies. She is the founder of https://www.youandmenopause.org/; Her specialist areas are mental health and wellbeing; menopause; and the cultural contexts of bereavement, grief and loss.
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Dr Julie Cornish
Julie Cornish is a consultant colorectal surgeon in Cardiff and founder of the Everywoman Festival. She is a senior lecturer and her research interests focus on childbirth injury and bowel dysfunction after surgery. She is the Chief Investigator for the NIHR POLARiS study and has published more than 60 papers.
Dr Evelyn Mensah
Evelyn Mensah, Consultant Ophthalmologist and WRES Expert at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust is part of the London and Medical WRES Strategy Groups. She holds position of EDI Chair at the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Evie leads anti-racism initiatives globally, aiming for equitable healthcare. She champions institutional courage.
Dr Faye Ruddock
Faye Ruddock is Chair of the Caribbean & African Health Network a national organisation with a focus on health inequities. A clinician, Executive Director of Health Equity and Social Justice and Chairs several Boards. Holds a doctorate in decolonisation and health inequities in Black people. Deputy Lieutenant and Chairs Trafford District, Greater Manchester.
Elizabeth Faley
Elizabeth is an award-winning NHS specialist nurse with over 30 years experiences working to improve better health outcomes around mental health and general health perspectives for all. She has committed her life in supporting, motivating, colleagues and patients gain a better understanding of the dynamics around equity and access to quality healthcare. She is an incredible mental health and maternal health advocate.
Gemma Poole
Gemma is a natural-born changemaker, and is a registered midwife and award-winning college lecturer. She is the founder of The Essential Baby Company Ltd. and The Essential Baby Co in the Community CIC, focusing on promoting equity and supporting underrepresented communities. Beyond her advocacy work to optimise health for diverse communities, Gemma serves as an NHS Core20 Ambassador, NHS Maternity User Researcher, and a Clinical Entrepreneur. Notably, she made history as the first midwife to host the NHS Innovation Big Pitch event, showcasing her dedication to innovation, inclusivity, and social Justice.
Dr Annabele Sowemimo
Dr Annabel Sowemimo (she/her) is a doctor, academic, activist, and writer. She is a newly appointed Consultant in Community Sexual & Reproductive Health in the NHS. Her first book Divided: Racism, Medicine and Decolonising Healthcare was published by Profile Books/Wellcome Collection in April 2023 and was shortlisted for the Orwell Prize for Political non-fiction. Within her specialty, she is interested in tackling Gender Based Violence and improving access for marginalised groups. She founded the award winning charity the Reproductive Justice Initiative (RJI) (formerly Decolonising Contraception), which aims to address health inequalities and racial disparities. In 2023, she was awarded the Outstanding achievement award by the British Association of Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH).
Annabel is an also part-time PhD candidate and Harold Moody Scholar at King’s College London with her research focusing on the experiences of Black women in Britain with fertility control methods. As well as writing for mainstream publications, she has co-authored several academic publications.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Professor Kirsty Hill
Professor Hill, Head of School for the University of Birmingham's School of Dentistry since 2020, possesses over two decades of expertise in dental education, dental public health, epidemiology, and behavioural science. An advocate for digital learning and enhanced clinical exposure, she emphasises maintaining high teaching standards and collaborative efforts to address challenges in dental education. Professor Hill underscores the need for continued investment in research and incentives for clinical academia to uphold the UK's prominence in dental education amid post-Brexit and post-COVID challenges. She emphasises the importance of collective authority among dental schools to inform policymakers and ensure world-leading dental education and research.
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Janet Fyle Dr. ”H.C”, MBE , MA, RN, RM
Janet Fyle is the Royal College of Midwives Professional Policy Advisor. She is a registered practising Midwife, Registered Nurse, and an accredited Expert Witness. She has worked in the NHS for many years at senior level in midwifery and women’s and children’s health where she implemented notable changes that benefited women and children in broadening access to services before coming to the RCM.
She was seconded to HM Treasury to develop the Sure Start Trailblazer sites; a member of the Mayor of London’s first Health Commission, which developed the PALS service; a founding member of the Best Beginnings Charity and a key role in the development of the “Baby Buddy” App; chair of the Mary Seacole Steering Committee; a coach for the London Council of Deans 150 Leadership programme, leads on Violence against women and children and Perinatal mental health, founding member of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance. She is the current chair of Integrate UK and also campaigned successfully with the RCOG, charities, and activists for legislation to ban Virginity Testing and Hymenoplasty
Dr Adeola Olaitan
Adeola Olaitan MBBS MD FRCOG
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Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist Surgeon UCLH 2002-2023
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Honorary Associate Professor UCL, over 100 publications, and book chapters
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Leader of many global pilot studies
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Invited speaker local, national & international conferences
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Prizes and awards for research and clinical achievements
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Visiting Professor Dalhousie University, Canada 2017
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RCOG Simms Black Visiting Professor, Ghana 2019