Department appoints two new ground-breaking Nursing Clinical Academic Teaching Fellows

Posted on 30 January 2021

Alumni join the Department as Clinical Academic Teaching Fellow (Nursing) a innovative joint appointment between the Department of Health Sciences and York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Megan and Olivia

The Department is pleased to announce the appointment of Megan Cook (on the left of the picture) and Olivia Walsh to the posts of Clinical Academic Teaching Fellow (Nursing). The Teaching Fellows are innovative joint appointments between the Department of Health Sciences at the University of York, and York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Megan and Olivia, both Alumni from the University of York, will support the learning and development of students on University of York nursing programmes in academic and clinical environments, strengthening the partnership between the Trust and University of York, ensuring an exceptional student experience, and positively contributing to the future healthcare professional workforce.

The Clinical Teaching Fellows will split their time 60:40 between the University and York Hospital.

Professor Paul Galdas, Deputy Head of Department (Teaching) said: “I’m delighted to announce the appointments of Megan and Olivia to the Clinical Academic Teaching Fellow posts. They will play a pivotal part in supporting our undergraduate nursing students in both academic and clinical environments. Their passion and enthusiasm for the profession will be an inspiration to our existing and future student population. By remaining clinically active, their teaching will be firmly grounded in contemporary nursing practice and the issues that are important to services, which will make a real difference to students’ experience on our programmes.”

Oliva said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed to this exciting post, it is a role I have always aspired to attaining and means a great amount to be back in York. After recently graduating from the University, I believe it is this, combined with my clinical experience, that will allow me to identify with the students and work together to create the best version of the ‘York Experience’ for students, staff and patients alike. Together with the University and York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, I am optimistic that we will not only uphold York’s excellent standards, but exceed them and push to the forefront of future nurse education.”

Megan added: “I’m really looking forward to a new challenge in a brand new role, and so excited that it is with the fantastic teams at University of York and York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. I’m excited to collaborate with a whole range of academics, healthcare professionals, and of course the students. This role has enhancing the student experience at its core, whether that be in the University or hospital and I’m ready to help shape the future of nursing in York.”

Helen Hey, Deputy Chief Nurse from York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “Working collaboratively with the University of York has resulted in these fantastic appointments that will only serve to put York on the map as one of the best places in the country to study to join the nursing profession. Megan and Olivia, both products of the existent teaching at the University, really shone at interview and I’m absolutely certain that their drive and enthusiasm for the best evidence based practice and for the best for people developing nursing careers will directly impact the best care for people in York in the future’.