About Us

The Rouleaux Club represents the views of trainees in vascular surgery. We are the only representative voice for vascular surgical training in Great Britain and Ireland. The Rouleaux Club Constitution can be read here.

Our Mission statement

The Rouleaux Club aims to represent all doctors training in Vascular Surgery, regardless of grade or seniority, including those wanting to train and medical students. We want everyone to be able to thrive in their roles regardless of race, ethnicity, age, faith, gender, sexual orientation or disability. We strive to be inclusive to our current members and to invite those not yet involved to join so that we can work together to advocate for training and welfare issues.

Membership

Membership of the Rouleaux Club is free to junior doctors and consultants interested in vascular surgery training in Great Britain and Ireland. Affiliate memberships are also available for students and allied health professionals. In addition, we offer membership to international trainees and consultants.

Executive Committee Roles

All Executive Committee roles are elected by the Rouleaux Club membership immediately prior to the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM is held each year the Vascular Society’s Annual Scientific Meeting. The roles and their responsibility on the committee are outlined below.

In a small number of roles, eligibility to vote for a position is limited by membership type (Ordinary or Affiliate). Likewise, eligibility to stand for a small number of roles is limited by the member either holding a national training number (NTN), being a specialty and associate specialist (SAS)/locally employed doctor (LED) or by level of experience, given the nature of that position.

For the purposes of brevity, for each committee position a maximum of three candidates will be entered for election. Where more than three candidates apply for a particular committee role, shortlisting will be undertaken jointly by the President and Vice President as they are not permitted to vote in the main election. The role of Vice President will not be subject to this limitation and all eligible candidates will be entered for election.

President

Tenure: 1 Year
Pre-requisites: Vice President

The President co-ordinates the Rouleaux Club Executive and trainee representation on a number of committees and societies (Vascular Society, ASiT, BSET and the Circulation Foundation). The President is an ambassador for the club and the specialty, ensuring trainees’ voices are heard and our views are represented. The President sits on the Vascular Society Council (four meetings per year) to represent the opinions and concerns of trainees to the Vascular Society. The President cannot vote in the election of the Executive Committee.

President

Andrew Nickinson

I am a ST8 trainee in the Wessex/Thames Valley deanery and am the former SAC representative. I also represent the Rouleaux Club on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Vascular Societies of Great Britain and Ireland.

Vice President

Tenure: 1 Year

Pre-requisites: Previously held a position on the Executive Committee. Open to all Ordinary Members. Ideally this candidate should be senior (ST5+ or equivalent) given the nature of the role.

Holds a central position in the running of the society, raising its profile, and communicating with the President regarding all aspects of the Rouleaux Club. They may continue to hold another position on the committee during this year if tenure extends into this period. The role also involves covering other committee members when they are unable to attend meetings. The Vice President cannot vote in the election of the Executive Committee.

Vice President

Lauren Shelmerdine

I’m currently a ST5, returning to training after maternity leave and an MD, in the Northern Deanery. I previously represented Rouleaux on the Circulation Foundation committee. As a member of the Edinburgh college I’m excited to continue to forge strong links between Rouleaux Club and RCSEd as the ‘Vascular Surgery Specialty Board Rouleaux Rep’. Outside of work I enjoy running a girlguide group and exploring with my two huskies Rogue and Storm.

Specialty Advisory Committee Representative

Tenure: 2 Years

Pre-requisites: NTN ST5 and above

The role of SAC Representative involves attending three meetings per year (Feb/June/Sept) with the Vascular Specialty Advisory Committee (SAC). One of these meetings will be in person. The role involves liaising with trainees regarding any training issues and feeding back to the Vascular SAC. The SAC representative may be asked to give opinions on behalf of trainees are about developing training issues. The role provides opportunities to be involved with the curriculum, quality improvement and improving the training programme. The SAC representative is also invited to sit on the BSIR Education and Research Committee. Other opportunities may arise as a result of this role in matters related to training.

SAC rep (and Vice President)

Lauren Shelmerdine

Secretary & Treasurer

Tenure: 2 Years

Pre-requisites: Open to all members

The Secretary role is to take minutes at all committee meetings and to coordinate communication between committee members, as well as between committee members and the Rouleaux Membership. They are the first point of contact for the Rouleaux Club. They also maintain stability on the finances, developing a steady and regular income stream in the future is an ongoing medium to long term aim.

Secretary & Treasurer

Kitty Wong

I am an NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow ST2 in vascular surgery in the South West. My research is focused on perioperative optimisation of patients undergoing vascular surgery, including the use of antithrombotic therapy and smoking cessation; and the rest of my academic time is spent on obtaining a postgraduate degree in data science. I am also passionate about medical education and widening access to academic medicine. Outside of medicine, I am also a seasoned violinist and pianist!

Website and Communications Rep

Tenure: 2 Years

Pre-requisites: Open to all members

Website & Communications Representative maintains the Rouleaux Club website and social media accounts and provides regular communication with the membership. Alongside this they operate the club’s social media accounts and are central in interacting with members.

Website and Communications Rep

Emma Hawthornthwaite

I am a ST3 trainee in the North East of England. I did my undergraduate medical training at Warwick University and subsequently undertook my Foundation Programme in the North East followed by a Vascular teaching fellow post. I have an interest in leadership and human factors. Outside of work, I am a keen runner and swimmer.

Circulation Foundation and Venous Rep

Tenure: 2 Years

Pre-requisites: Open to all Ordinary Members

The Circulation Foundation Representative is the link between the UK’s only vascular charity and vascular trainees. The role involves advising the charity on clinical matters as well as providing support in writing advertisements, articles as well as with fundraising ideas. It is expected that they attend several charity meetings per year. The role also involves being the society’s venous representative, working with the Royal Society of Medicine’s Venous Forum.

Circulation Foundation and Venous Rep

Sarah Nduwayo

I am an ST6 vascular surgery trainee in Oxford/Wessex deanery. I have undertaken post graduate research at the University of Leicester. I am pleased to be the Venous and Circulation Foundation representative. I have an interest in incorporating more endovenous simulation in educational activities for trainees. I look forward to contribute and continue the excellent work by the Circulation Foundation in raising awareness of vascular disease in the general population.

SAS/LED Representative

Tenure: 2 years

Pre-requisites: Open to Ordinary Members with at least five years’ experience as a doctor (currently working within a vascular surgery SAS/LED role). Must not hold a current NTN or have applied for CESR.

New for 2023, the SAS/LED Representative will promote engagement and representation of SAS and LED members within the Rouleaux Club. The Representative will feedback issues affecting SAS and LED members to the Club and work with the Vascular Society’s SAS/LED Representatives to help highlight training and workforce issues with the wider vascular community.

SAS/LED Representative

Hussein El-Kashef

I am a Specialty Doctor in Vascular Surgery, I currently work as an Endovascular fellow at Sunderland Royal Hospital. I have previously worked in Egypt, London and Newcastle. I am interested in supporting LEDs and SAS doctors in their professional development and career progression as well as providing guidance for candidates applying for specialist registration via the Portfolio pathway.

Education Representative

Tenure: 2 years (one post per year)

Pre-requisites: None, except one of these two posts must be an NTN

The Education Representatives will role focuses on directing and supporting all audit and survey projects run through Rouleaux, as well as getting involved with the development and implementation of national vascular projects. The role also involves sitting on the Vascular Society Education Committee (four meetings per year), helping to deliver the ASPIRE Juniors programmes and advising on the development of the ASPIRE programme for vascular trainees. They will co-ordinate the running of the Introduction to Vascular Surgery course alongside the ASiT, BSET and Circulation Foundation Representatives.

Education Rep

Sarah Sillito

I am a CT1 in the North East, prior to this I worked as a Clinical Teaching Fellow in Vascular Surgery at Newcastle Hospitals for the past year. In my role as Education Rep, I’m looking forward to creating and delivering teaching to current vascular trainees, and coming up with some creative content to encourage others to explore and enter the specialty. Outside work, I enjoy spending time with my family, baking and playing or watching pretty much any sport!

Welfare Rep

Tenure: 2 years

Pre-requisites: Open to Ordinary Members (ST3+ or equivalent)

The Welfare Representative role was created in 2021 in response to the unacceptable results of the Rouleaux Club’s bullying, undermining and harassment surveys. The role involves working with the Vascular Society’s Workforce Committee to help develop initiatives to help take BUH behaviours in vascular surgery.

Welfare Rep

Allison Winarski

I am currently an ST3 in the Yorkshire and Humber deanery, having graduated from Leeds University in 2017. I have previously worked in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle. Outside of medicine I enjoy spending time outdoors, long-distance hill and trail running. In my capacity as Welfare Rep I look forward to working with the Vascular Society’s Workforce Committee to address issues relating to bullying, undermining and harassment, and to improve vascular trainee experiences.

Medical Student and Communication Rep

Tenure: 2 Years

Pre-requisites: Must be an active under-/postgraduate medical student studying within the UK or Ireland

The Medical Student Representative leads the promotion of vascular surgery and the Rouleaux Club within UK/Ireland medical schools. The Representatives runs the Surgical Society Affiliate programme and handles queries and advertisements from medical schools. The role also requires supporting website and communications.

Medical Student and Communication Rep

Jack Filan

I am a Final Year Medical Student at Newcastle University. I am passionate about promoting vascular surgery to medical students across the UK and ensuring equal access to opportunities for all students. I am also interested in clinical education research and widening participation. Outside of studying medicine, I play korfball for Newcastle University.

FRCS Exam Rep

Tenure: 2 Years

Pre-requisites: Open to Ordinary Members who have passed the FRCS (Vascular) examination.

The FRCS Examination Representative represents trainees’ views on the FRCS (Vascular) society to the and helps support standard setting for the Part One exam. Given the nature of the role, this is only open to ordinary members who have passed both parts of the FRCS (Vascular) exam.

FRCS Exam Rep

Kerry Burke

I am an ST8 vascular trainee in the North West, currently out of programme completing a PhD. I have a keen interest in medical education as well as supporting trainees through training. As the FRCS exam representative, I represent your views in the FRCS exam board meetings, and support exam and revision resource development. Outside of work I love to run!

Education Representative

Tenure: 2 years (one post per year)

Pre-requisites: None, except one of these two posts must be an NTN

Education Rep

Mohamed Elkawafi

I am ST6 Vascular Surgery Trainee. I am pleased to be in the education role in the Roueloux club. I am working to improve the training for all vascular doctors and medical students. I have a passion for teaching and I am working with my colleagues in the committee to deliver virtual and in person training nationally. I am looking to introduce recognition for the trainers in vascular surgery.

ASIT Rep

Tenure: 2 Years

Pre-requisites: Must hold a National Training Number (ST3+)

The ASiT Representative will sit on the ASIT Council to represent the viewpoint of vascular trainees in matters pertaining to surgical training in general. ASIT council meets up to eight times a year and holds a national conference annually. The Representative will take an active role in all aspects of ASIT work, organises a vascular pre-conference course for trainees, and provides a link with the Rouleaux Executive. Over the last few years, the Rouleaux club has developed an excellent working relationship with ASIT, which we hope to continue in the coming years. The ASIT representative will also provide representation for Vascular Surgery on the National Selection steering group.

Education Rep

Lawrence Ugwumba

I am an ST4 in the Northern deanery. My role entails representing vascular surgery in the national selection steering group and ASIT committee meetings.
In order to foster an exceptional training experience, I will maintain the excellent standards of the vascular pre-conference course and I will ensure that with one voice, our challenges and opinions regarding our trainings are heard in relevant ASiT council meetings. Being a member of ASiT played a key role in exceling in my surgical training application and interview. I hope to utilise this opportunity to maintain our strong relationship with ASiT and inspire future vascular surgeons.

BSET Rep

Tenure: 2 Years (1 post per year)

Pre-requisites: Open to Ordinary Members (ST3+ or equivalent)

The Representatives assist with representing the Rouleaux Club at the British Society of Endovascular Therapy (BSET) and assisting with the running of the National Vascular Training Day (NVTD). In the first year, the representative will sit on the BSET Council and assist with the running of the NVTD. In the second year they will be expected to be lead organiser for the NVTD.

BSET Rep

Dominic Pang

I am currently ST8 based in the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle. My medical life has brought me across from the other side of the globe, Malaysia to the UK. I received most of my surgical training in Scotland. Over the years, medical education has always been my passion. I run the joint BSET/ Rouleaux club National vascular training day. I also work with the RCS Edinburgh Vascular Surgery Specialty Board (VSSB) to run educational courses and provide trainee opinions.

NVTD Rep

Tenure: 2 Years (1 post per year)

Pre-requisites: Open to Ordinary Members (ST3+ or equivalent)

NVTD Rep

Sai Wunnava

I am an North East based ST3 trainee, having graduated from Newcastle University. As BSET/NVTD rep, I am interested in radiation safety for trainees and increasing the use of endovascular simulators. Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, live music and travelling.

Meeting of Executive Committee Members

The Executive Committee will meet in person two times a year at the Vascular Society’s Annual Scientific Meeting (VSASM), and at the BSET Annual Meeting. In between these periods, Executive Committee members attend telephone conference meetings every 4 to 6 weeks.

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