During South Asian Heritage Month, the SoR is celebrating and amplifying the experiences of its members from South Asian communities.
Observed annually across the UK throughout July, South Asian Heritage Month aims to celebrate the diverse culture and history of South Asian communities in Britain and internationally.
The theme for this year’s campaign is 'unity in diversity’.
SoR member and head of diagnostics at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London Kiran Masih has shared her feelings on the importance of representation in healthcare leadership.
What first inspired you to join the radiography profession?
I actually stumbled upon radiography during a summer job in imaging, just as I was preparing to begin university to study biomedical sciences.
I was immediately fascinated by the profession and, two weeks before term was due to start, made the decision to change my degree to radiography, driven by a passion for working directly with patients.
How has your cultural identity shaped your journey or experiences in radiography?
My cultural identity has played a meaningful role in shaping my journey in radiography. As a woman of South Indian heritage, I am acutely aware of the importance of diverse representation within healthcare leadership, and I feel truly fortunate to have progressed into a senior strategic leadership post.
I hope my journey serves as encouragement to others from similar backgrounds that such achievements are absolutely within reach.
What do you love most about being a radiographer?
What I love most about being a radiographer in a senior leadership role is the opportunity to influence and shape the future of the profession and the imaging service: being able to drive meaningful change by developing services, championing the workforce and contributing to strategic decisions that ultimately improve patient outcomes. To me, this is incredibly rewarding.
Radiography has given me a platform to advocate for both the profession and the people within it. There is something fulfilling about being in a position where you can inspire the next generation of radiographers whilst ensuring the profession continues to evolve and thrive.
What does 'unity in diversity' in radiography mean to you?
As a woman in a senior leadership role, I have seen first-hand how diverse perspectives lead to more compassionate care, stronger teams and better outcomes for our patients. North East London has a diverse patient and staff population.
Within radiography, a united profession is one where every voice is valued equally, and where people from all walks of life feel seen, heard and empowered to lead.
(Image: Kiran Masih)