Dr Helen Goodyear awarded prestigious RCPCH Honorary Fellowship
Dr Helen Goodyear, who works in our Dermatology team, has been awarded a prestigious Honorary Fellowship by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH).
Dr Goodyear, who has been caring for children in Birmingham since 1995 when she first joined the team at Heartlands as a General Paediatrician, was one of just nine professionals who were handed the title in 2021 – a list that also included Dr Jenny Harries, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England and Lord Victor Adebowale, Chair of the NHS Confederation.
It recognises her skill and expertise in offering the very best possible care to the young people and families she supports, as well as her passion for teaching others through her many roles she has held in medical education.
Dr Goodyear, who officially joined the team at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust in October 2019 following many years of collaboration through her work at Heartlands and Solihull Hospitals where she continues to work, has, in her role as Head of School for West Midlands, played a vital role in quality assuring Trusts across the region for training.
She is one of the longest serving Paediatric Heads of School nationally. And was the inaugural Head of the West Midlands School of Paediatrics – a role in which she stepped down from in 2019.
Dr Goodyear is also an Associate Dean for Health Education England (HEE) in West Midlands where she leads support for less than full-time training and career and professional support – helping the next generation of medical professionals.
At the RCPCH Dr Goodyear leads the Effective Educational Supervision courses, is the course director of RCPCH Paediatric Dermatology courses and has delivered many both in the UK and internationally, on behalf of the College. She also helped set up the RCPCH Careers Advisory Service and is currently its co-lead. She was the Vice President of the Northern European Medical Women's International Association, from 2013 until 2016.
Dr Goodyear, who was first interested in General Practice but chose Paediatrics after a spell during her medical training at Great Ormond Street Hospital, said: “It’s a great honour and privilege to have been given this award. I’m a modest person and, when I first heard the news, I found it hard to believe. In my mind, I just simply do my job.
“It may sound a little bit if a cliché but, like so many of the people I work with, everything that I have done during my career and continue to do is for the benefit of the patients. I don’t think there can be any greater satisfaction than making a difference and helping children and families to understand their conditions and give them that better quality of life."
Dr Goodyear will continue with her teaching, something which she holds a huge passion for and is looking forward to advancements in medicine over the coming years: She added: “It’s a hugely exciting time in the field of medicine with so many transformative things happening in the field. I believe that when you stop learning, then it’s time to stop. I’ve got no intention of doing that anytime soon.”
Dr Fiona Reynolds, Chief Medical Officer at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that our colleague and friend, Dr Goodyear, has deservedly received this award. Not only is she one of our region’s top paediatricians, who’s dedication and expertise shines through when she’s by the sides of children and their families, but she’s also helped a generation of young doctors in their careers.
“This RCPCH Honorary Fellowship is so fitting for someone who has been so passionate about helping others throughout her career and, knowing Dr Goodyear, that will certainly not stop any time soon.”
For the full list of the 2021 RCPCH Honorary Fellows visit: https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/about-us/2021-honorary-fellows.