Founded in 2012, the BAPIO Women’s Forum is a vibrant and collaborative professional network committed to empowering women in medicine. As an initiative under BAPIO, the forum brings together female doctors, medical students, healthcare professionals, and researchers to foster networking, knowledge-sharing, and professional support. Recognising the unique challenges faced by women in medicine, the forum serves as a vital space for discussion, advocacy, and career development, ensuring that female healthcare professionals have access to mentorship, leadership opportunities, and a strong support system.

The BAPIO Women’s Forum operates through various engagement platforms, including WhatsApp discussions, webinars, and live events, providing members with access to peer support, expert insights, and leadership training. These initiatives not only facilitate career growth and collaboration but also serve to highlight and celebrate the contributions of women in the medical profession.

By creating an environment where women can share experiences, support one another, and advocate for meaningful change, the BAPIO Women’s Forum stands as a pioneering initiative that strengthens the presence, influence, and impact of female healthcare professionals in the UK and beyond.

The primary objectives of the BAPIO Women’s Forum are listed below. The BAPIO Women’s Forum aims to empower, uplift, and advocate for women in medicine, ensuring they have the resources, support, and opportunities needed to excel in their careers and contribute meaningfully to the healthcare system.

1. Promote Gender Equality and Inclusivity– Address disparities in medical leadership, career progression, and workplace opportunities to ensure an equitable professional environment for women in healthcare.
   
   
2. Support Career Development and Leadership– Provide mentorship, training, and networking opportunities to help women advance in their careers, including guidance on promotions, research involvement, and leadership roles.
   
   
3. Enhance Work-Life Balance and Well-being– Discuss and develop strategies for managing career demands, family responsibilities, and mental well-being to reduce burnout and support sustainable careers.
   
   
4. Advocate for Women’s Health– Promote awareness, research, and education on maternal health, reproductive rights, and gender-specific medical conditions, ensuring these issues receive due attention in clinical practice and policymaking.
   
   
5. Foster Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing– Create opportunities for women in medicine to connect, share experiences, and collaborate on research, projects, and healthcare initiatives.
   
   
6. Recognise and Celebrate Women’s Contributions – Highlight the achievements and leadership of women in medicine through awards, conferences, and public platforms, inspiring future generations of female healthcare professionals.

Through these objectives, the BAPIO Women’s Forum aims to empower, uplift, and advocate for women in medicine, ensuring they have the resources, support, and opportunities needed to excel in their careers and contribute meaningfully to the healthcare system.

Dr. Jyoti Srinivas (JS) Chair

Dr Jyothi Srinivas MBBS, FRCPCH PG Dip (MedEd)  is a consultant Paediatrician at Milton Keynes and Associate Director Clinical Studies (University of Buckingham Medical School). She is the Chair of BAPIO (British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin) Women’s forum. Her main interests are acute paediatrics, allergy and medical education.  Dr Srinivas is passionate about gender equality, climate change and fundraising for these causes. She lives in Milton Keynes with her husband, daughter and a black labrador.

Dr. Sucheta Jindal (SJ) Vice Chair

Dr. Sucheta Jindal is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. She has devoted her career entirely to women’s health, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to improving maternal care, advancing clinical practices, and advocating for women’s well-being. As the Vice Chair of the BAPIO Women’s Forum, she is committed to fostering supportive networks that empower women to excel in their careers. Passionate about promoting inclusivity and mentorship, she strives to create spaces where women can excel—both professionally and personally. As a mother of two sons pursuing careers outside of medicine, she values the importance of work-life integration. For the past 15 years, her family has called Norfolk home, embracing the beauty of the countryside, beaches, and woodlands. She believes in the power of shared experiences, saying, “By sharing our stories and supporting one another, we can create a ripple effect of empowerment that reaches far beyond our immediate circles.”

Dr. Sandhya Govindarajan (SG) – Secretary

Dr. Sandhya Govindarajan is a Paediatrician, based at Manchester, England with an MBBS from Chengalpet Medical College (2014), DNB in Paediatrics (2018), and MRCPCH (2022). She is currently working as a Paediatrician and serves as the Secretary of the BAPIO Women’s Forum, where she is passionate about promoting gender equality and equal opportunities in the workforce. Her areas of interest include paediatric rheumatology, and medical education. Dr. Govindarajan holds certifications in Neonatal Life Support (NLS), Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS), and Neonatal Ventilation, and has contributed to research with publications in the BMJ and Journal of Medical Case Reports. She is committed to advancing her career by pursuing a Paediatric Rheumatology subspecialty in the UK.

Dr. Mamata Rajadhyax (MR) – SAS Representative

Dr Mamata Rajadhyax is a specialty doctor in Paediatrics at Milton Keynes University Hospital. As an aspirant on the portfolio pathway to specialist registration, she is passionate about advocacy for career progression of and professional support for SAS grade doctors. She lives in Milton Keynes with her husband, two children and two cats

Dr. Neenu Chandramohan (NC) – Resident doctor Representative

Dr Neenu Chandramohan, MBBS, is a current Internal Medicine Trainee in the NHS and the Resident Doctor Representative for the BAPIO Women’s Forum. Passionate about advocating for women in medicine, she works to promote mentorship, leadership, and workplace equality. She strongly believes that with the right support, women can break barriers and achieve anything they set their minds to. Beyond medicine, Neenu enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling, always seeking new experiences and perspectives. She is committed to lifelong learning, both in her career and personal growth, striving to make a meaningful impact in healthcare and society.

Dr. Anjali Rajkumar (AR) – Social media Representative

Dr Anjali Rajkumar completed her MBBS and foundation training from JIPMER, Pondicherry, India and is currently an Internal Medicine Trainee in the Southwest Severn Deanery. She is the Social Media Representative of the BAPIO (British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin) Women’s forum. She is a research enthusiast and Ass Principal Investigator of DETERMINE clinical trial under NIHR aimed at treatment of rare cancers. Anjali, a first-generation doctor, mentors aspiring medical professionals on their journey to the UK and advocates for workplace equality for women. She values work-life balance and enjoys travelling, reading and writing in her leisure time.

Ms Purva Shegunshi (PS) – Medical Student Representative

Purva Shegunshi is a medical student at the University of Buckingham, working towards a career in surgery. She has recently joined the BAPIO Women’s Forum as the Medical Student Representative. With a strong belief in personal and professional growth, she is eager to contribute to the forum’s mission of enhancing the position of women in the medical field. Outside of her studies, she enjoys hiking, singing, and Kathak. She looks forward to working with others, learning from their experiences, and collaborating to drive a positive change in medicine.

Forums will be open to all BAPIO women members.