Who's who in KSS Deanery?

Whilst you are employed in your day to day job by a Trust, your overall training is overseen by the Deanery.
Below you will find a hierarchical breakdown of the different people involved in this process.
If you are facing any difficulties with your training, we recommend starting by reaching out to your ES, your College Tutor and/or your named TPD. If for any reason you can't talk to these people and don't know who to talk to then please contact one of the committee who can point you in the right direction.


Kent, Surrey and Sussex


Profile picture of Jo Szram

Professor Jo Szram

Postgraduate Dean (a.k.a. Head of KSS)

Professor Jo Szram is the current Postgraduate Dean for all of Kent, Surrey and Sussex. She is charged with overseeing the effective running of all the various training programmes offered in KSS (e.g. Surgery, Paediatrics, Obs & Gynae, ACCS etc). She currently works as an adult respiratory physician at the Royal Brompton Hospital.
j.szram@nhs.net

Profile picture of Dr Catherine Wynne

Dr Catherine Wynne

Head of School of Paediatrics

Dr Catherine Wynne is the Head of the School of Paediatrics in KSS. She oversees the running of Paediatric training programme in the region, and works closely with both the RCPCH and Prof Szram to ensure we are able to meet our training requirement needs.
She currently works clinically as a Paediatric Consultant with a special interest in Haematology and Oncology at the Royal Alexandra's Children Hospital in Brighton.
catherine.wynne1@nhs.net

Training Programme Directors

Profile picture of Dr Palaniappan Sashikumar

Dr Palaniappan Sashikumar (a.k.a. Dr Sashi)

TPD for Kent trainees

Dr Sashi is a Neonatology Consultant based at Medway Hospital. He covers trainees based at the following hospitals: QEQM, WHH, Medway, Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells.
palaniappan.sashikumar@nhs.net

Profile picture of Dr Ellie Day

Dr Ellie Day

TPD for Surrey trainees

Dr Ellie Day works as a Consultant Paediatrician at Ashford and St Peter's NHS Trust. She covers trainees based at the following hospitals: Royal Surrey, Frimley Park, St Peter's, East Surrey. ellie.day7@nhs.net

Profile picture of Dr Asma Shah

Dr Asma Shah

TPD for Sussex trainees

Dr Asma Shah is a Consultant Paediatrician with a special interest in Oncology, based in St Richard's Hospital. She covers trainees based at the following hospitals: Royal Alexandra's Children Hospital, Royal Sussex, St Richard's, Worthing, Conquest.
asma.shah11@nhs.net

Profile picture of Dr Lola Akingbade

Dr Lola Akingbade

TPD for Darent Valley and London based trainees

Dr Lola Akingbade is a Consultant Paediatrician working in East Surrey Hospital. She covers trainees based in Darent Valley Hospital, Evelina London Children's Hospital, King's College Hospital, Royal Marsden.
lola.akingbade2@nhs.net

College Tutor

  • College Tutors (CTs) are the primary contact for trainees regarding training requirement challenges in their workplace.
  • They often coordinate teaching schedules, run study days/simulation sessions, and advocate for trainee needs.
  • CTs typically attend the Local Faculty Group (LFG) meetings, where trainees can raise concerns about their departmental training experience for local resolution.
  • CTs are also invited to the Specialty Training Committee (STC), chaired by the Head of School, to discuss regional training program progress and updates.

Educational Supervisor


Your College Tutor will assign you at induction with your own named Educational Supervisor.


You should meet with your ES in person at least twice a year to review how you are progressing with your training, and must record these meetings in your portfolio.


Your ES is there for YOU so make sure you make the most of this opportunity for mentoring. Speak to your College Tutor if you feel you need to change your ES.