Helen graduated in medicine from Sheffield University Medical School more than 35 years ago and worked in the NHS until she retired from her clinical post in 2020. She trained as a surgeon in Sheffield, before moving to Cardiff in 1996 as an Honorary Consultant Surgeon in Cardiff and Vale UHB /Senior Lecturer in Surgery in Cardiff University School of Medicine.  She worked as a Consultant General Surgeon and Breast Surgeon. She was the Clinical Lead for the Breast Centre from 2017-2020. She has extensive experience in postgraduate medical training and has trained many surgeons who now work in the UK and worldwide.

Helen’s academic interests are in undergraduate medical education and clinical research such as new surgical techniques, shared decision making and breast cancer genetics. She has held several leadership roles within the School of Medicine, including MBBCh Programme Director and Director of Quality. Helen is currently the Interim Director of the Centre for Medical Education (CU). She has had external roles which include: external examiner for several Medical Schools and as a General Medical Council (GMC) Education Associate. In that capacity, she has visited other hospitals and medical schools in the UK to ensure that teaching and training meet GMC standards.