Atefeh Kashanizadeh

Managing on-calls shift

Managing referrals from GPs

visiting patients in the Surgical ward, ED

Running an emergency clinic

Establishing diagnostic tests such as FNE

performing minor procedures

• As a senior clinical academic in a high-volume tertiary referral centre, have led elective and emergency surgical services, managing a diverse caseload of complex cases while upholding NHS-equivalent standards of patient safety, multidisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based practice.
• Over seven years, have performed and supervised over 2500 advanced procedures, contributing to service improvement through clinical audits, quality enhancement projects, and robust trainee supervision in line with GMC revalidation principles.
• Patient-centred care, informed consent, and holistic management, including preoperative optimisation, intraoperative decision-making, and postoperative rehabilitation.
• Served as a trusted referral surgeon for GI oncology (e.g., pancreaticoduodenectomy, oesophagectomy, gastrectomy), hepatopancreaticobiliary interventions (e.g., distal pancreatectomy, biliary reconstruction for trauma/strictures), endocrine procedures (thyroidectomy with central neck dissection for papillary carcinoma), and gallbladder/biliary surgeries (laparoscopic cholecystectomy with intraoperative cholangiography).
• Independently managed acute surgical admissions via 24/7 on-call rotas, including trauma (penetrating/perforating injuries, peritonitis) and vascular access (percutaneous catheter insertion, arteriovenous fistula formation for dialysis), ensuring timely escalation to multidisciplinary teams comprising oncologists, radiologists, and intensivists to optimise outcomes and reduce length of stay.
• Critical Care Oversight: As Head of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU), directed level 3 critical care for postoperative and high-risk patients, including ventilator management, haemodynamic stabilisation, and weaning protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022), where led operative interventions for complications such as pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, and GI perforation in ventilated cohorts.
• Implemented sepsis bundles and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways, achieving a 10–15% reduction in SICU mortality through prospective audits and root-cause analysis, aligning with NICE guidelines on critical care and infection prevention.
• Multidisciplinary and Emergency Care: Coordinated MDT discussions for complex oncology and trauma cases, integrating imaging (e.g., CT/MRI for staging) and histopathology to inform shared decision-making.
• Manage emergency theatres for life-threatening conditions (e.g. perforated viscus, acute cholangitis), prioritising risk stratification and theatre efficiency to support the hospital's major trauma network, with a focus on safeguarding vulnerable patients and adhering to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) standards.
• Education and Training: Acted as Undergraduate Medical Education Correspondent, designing and delivering competency-based curricula for Year 4–5 students, basic skills training( e.g. suturing, chest tube insertion) and bedside teaching on ward rounds.
• Supervised and directly trained over 50 core and higher surgical trainees (CST/ST equivalents) in operative competencies, from foundational (appendicectomy, hernia repair) to advanced (minimally invasive surgery for enterectomy/splenectomy), conducting workplace-based assessments (WPBAs) and annual reviews of competence progression (ARCPs).
• Contributed to departmental journal clubs and morbidity/mortality meetings, promoting reflective practice and lifelong learning in line with RCS Good Surgical Practice.
• Quality Improvement and Research Integration: Led clinical governance initiatives, including audits on postoperative complications (e.g., parathyroid preservation in Thyroidectomy, reducing inadvertent removal rates by 20% via standardised protocols) and service evaluations for elective pathways, resulting in improved patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Integrated research into practice and ongoing projects, presented at international forums, to drive evidence-based advancements and support revalidation portfolios.

• Delivered comprehensive surgical care as only general surgeon for population of 100,000+, managing elective and emergency cases autonomously.
• Emergency & Trauma Leadership: Performed 15–20 emergency surgeries monthly, including thoracotomies for penetrating injuries, splenectomies for traumatic ruptures, and bowel resections for perforations.
• Stabilised critical cases such as gunshot wounds and road traffic accidents, achieving 90% survival rate in heamodynamically unstable patients.
• Diverse Surgical Expertise: Conducted paediatric hernia repairs (50+ cases), lung hydatid cyst resections, and exploratory laparotomies for acute abdominal emergencies.
• Managed rare cases (e.g., post-traumatic splenic hydatid cyst rupture), publishing findings in Indian Journal of Case Reports (2019).
• Departmental Management: Oversaw emergency department workflows, reducing triage-to-treatment times by 25% through staff training and protocol standardisation.
• Trained nurses and operating room teams in sterile techniques and emergency preparedness, improving intraoperative efficiency.
• Resourcefulness in Challenging Settings: Adapted surgical techniques to limited resources, such as improvising drainage systems for postoperative care.
• Key Skills Demonstrated: Autonomous decision-making under pressure, Broad-spectrum surgical proficiency, Leadership in multidisciplinary, resource-constrained environments.

• Completed rigorous four-year general surgery residency at Iran University of Medical Sciences, rotating through premier tertiary centres including Hazrat Rasool Akram (860 beds, 30 departments), Firoozgar Hospital (435 beds, 34 operating rooms), Shahid Motahhari Burn and Trauma Centre, and Ali Asghar Children's Hospital. This high-volume, competency-based programme—comparable to UK Surgical Training (ST)—provided exposure to over 520 operative cases across elective, emergency, and subspecialty domains, with strong emphasis on patient safety, multidisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based practice aligned with RCS standards.
• Year 1 – ST1:
• At Hazrat Rasool Hospital, focused on ward care, outpatient clinics, and emergency rotas. Conducted thorough assessments, diagnostics, and managed acute surgical admissions under consultant supervision. assisted in ~100 procedures, including appendectomies and emergency laparotomies, developing aseptic technique and clinical judgment. On-call duties involved triaging and stabilising emergencies like perforated ulcers and bowel obstructions, working closely with anaesthetists and intensivists using SBAR handovers. Led junior ward rounds and participated in weekly teaching, journal clubs, and audits. passed national upgrade exam, demonstrating core competencies.
• Year 2 – Intermediate Level (ST2 Equivalent):
• Expanded operative role, assisting in ~200 procedures, including laparoscopic cholecystectomies and hernia repairs. Rotations at Ali Asghar Paediatric Hospital and Motahhari Burn Centre deepened paediatric and trauma skills, performing over 50 procedures such as Wilms tumour resections and burn debridements. Managed complex ward cases, coordinated MDT care plans, and implemented ERAS protocols. Independently clerked outpatients and led audits on postoperative infections, improving service quality. taught medical students and passed second upgrade exam, consolidating intermediate proficiency.
• Year 3 – Senior Level (ST3):
• At Hazrat Rasool and Firoozgar Hospitals, logged ~100 procedures as primary surgeon or first assistant, including colorectal resections. led ward rounds, formulated evidence-based plans, and autonomously managed outpatient clinics. initiated theatre efficiency audits, reducing turnaround times by 20%, and mentored junior trainees through lectures and DOPS.
• Emergency management skills matured through independent on-call duties. passed third upgrade exam, evidencing senior readiness.
• Year 4 – Advanced Level (ST 4):
• In final year, achieved surgical autonomy, performing ~120 procedures, including laparoscopic cholecystectomies, thyroidectomies, and emergency laparotomies. Led MDTs for complex cases, integrating oncology staging and rehabilitation planning. oversaw outpatient pathways from pre-op to follow-up, prioritising equity and EDI. Conducted audits comparing laparoscopic vs open outcomes and contributed to seven peer-reviewed publications. designed teaching curricula, led ARCP-style reviews, and trained juniors in simulation-based learning. passed national board exam with top scores, affirming FRCS-equivalent expertise. This residency is equipped with advanced surgical skills, leadership in high-pressure environments, and deep commitment to compassionate, inclusive care—preparing for NHS higher surgical training and consultant-level responsibilities.

• Served as Head of Two Primary Health Clinics, overseeing daily operations and managing high patient load (50+ daily) in underserved rural and urban communities. Provided 24/7 emergency care at primary health clinic, stabilising critical cases such as trauma, acute infections, and obstetric emergencies before referral. Diagnosed and treated wide range of conditions, including infectious diseases (e.g., tuberculosis, hepatitis), maternal health complications, and non-communicable diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension).
• Conducted routine vaccinations, prenatal check-ups, and family planning services, improving community health metrics (e.g., 30% increase in vaccination coverage in target areas).
• Designed and delivered health education workshops for local populations, focusing on hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention, reaching 500+ individuals annually.
• Trained 20+ community health workers and nurses in basic emergency care, triage protocols, and chronic disease management.
• Worked in resource-limited settings, adapting diagnostic and treatment approaches to available infrastructure (e.g., utilizing clinical judgment when advanced imaging was unavailable).
• Collaborated with local authorities to address public health challenges, such as outbreaks of airborne diseases, through targeted interventions.
• Delivered holistic care in diverse, underserved settings with minimal resources.
• Bridged gaps between healthcare providers and rural populations through culturally sensitive education.
• Rapid decision-making in emergency scenarios, ensuring timely referrals to tertiary centres.

• Participated in organisation and execution of workshops focused on improving writing skills for students at different proficiency levels.
• Contributed to editing and proofreading of academic papers and publications, ensuring clarity and adherence to linguistic standards.
• Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.