We’re delighted to support the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) Future Leaders Programme for the second year running. This important initiative helps develop essential leadership skills in surgeons and dental professionals as they transition into senior roles — equipping them to drive improvements in clinical practice, education, and patient care.
As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting members who advance their professions, MDDUS is once again sponsoring two places on the 2026–27 programme.
The RCSEd Future Leaders Programme offers a 12-month blend of interactive workshops, project work, and peer learning designed to nurture leadership potential and deliver meaningful change in healthcare.
Apply for the 2026–27 Future Leaders Programme
We’re inviting surgeons and dental professionals who are ST8, SAS, or in their first year of consultancy to apply for this prestigious programme. This is your chance to develop advanced leadership skills, influence strategic change, and make a real impact on patient care.
Please note: Application closing date is 31 May 2026.
Meet our 2025 MDDUS Future Leaders
Heather Wilkes Senior Dental Officer
Heather is leading a service initiative to improve access and enhance care for people living with dental anxiety who are referred to the Public Dental Service. Her redesigned model, grounded in Realistic Dentistry, aims to deliver sustainable, compassionate, and patient-centred support for those who need it most.
For Heather, the project is an opportunity to bring together her experience as a General Dental Practitioner and now as a Senior Dental Officer to help shape a service that is both sustainable and responsive to patient needs. She’s passionate about creating systems that make it easier for people to access the care they deserve — built on collaboration, efficiency, and compassion.
Mr Juan Diego Tinajero Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeon
Juan is leading a patient safety initiative focused on strengthening the consent process in genital gender-affirming surgery. His work introduces a digital teach-back approach that helps ensure patients truly understand complex, irreversible procedures, moving beyond consent as a signed form to consent as a meaningful, shared decision-making process.
For Juan, the project brings together his clinical experience in complex reconstructive surgery and his commitment to patient safety, trust, and transparency. He is passionate about developing systems that support genuine understanding, empower patients, and encourage clinicians to pause and reflect when clarity is needed, particularly for a patient group where psychological safety, clear communication, and confidence in care are essential.
Meet last year’s Future Leaders:
In 2024, we were proud to sponsor Mr Manoj Thillai and Dr Laura Mackay — both working on projects aimed at addressing significant challenges in healthcare:
Mr Manoj Thillai Consultant Liver Transplant Surgeon
Manoj was developing an interactive video library of complex transplant procedures. Using GoPro organ retrieval footage and interdisciplinary commentary, the platform provides step-by-step demonstrations and trainee logbooks, filling a critical gap in UK surgical training resources.
Dr Laura Mackay, Specialist in Special Care Dentistry
Laura chose to address the shortage of dentists entering special care practice by building a programme of HEE study days, webinars, and clinical observations for foundation and core trainees — embedding this vital field into early years curricula to improve care for vulnerable patients.
Both projects reflect MDDUS’ mission to support members who strive to improve patient outcomes and lead positive change.
This page was correct at the time of publication. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.