Dear Mansagian,
As the weather brightens, I hope all of us, especially those of us that observed the frugality of the Ramadan or Lenten season experienced the joyful personal transformations and new beginnings that the season of spring brings upon us. Whilst it is usually straight forward to make those changes in our personal lives, many of us face challenges in our attempts to transform services we are part of that we believe are ripe for change. What does it feel like to disrupt the established order, especially at your workplace?
Perhaps it is the longer days, or the recent run of warm weather, it is inspiring to see how our dear organisation is transforming. Did you notice that MANSAG East of England held a Tax Webinar a few days ago, followed by MANSAG London holding a Network Mixer Event and a Park Run hosted by MANSAG West Midlands whilst the Leadership webinar organised by MANSAG Leadership academy was taking place. Even as MANSAG NorthEast is working flat out to host the entire membership at the Annual Education Symposium, Galadima Lecture and Charity Ball.
All these activities took place in different parts of the country – online and in person – in the space of seven days led by MANSAG chapter and committee leads; Dr Muyiwa Omoruyi, Ms Bola Odufuwa Bolger, Dr Fanny Iklaki & Dr Ariba, Dr Franklin Eleazu and Prof Rotimi Jaiyesimi. They were supported of course by many chapter members to ensure success at those events. I do not remember when MANSAG as an organisation organised so many varied and exciting activities for our members at their local chapters in the space of just seven days. It demonstrates how we are changing as we continue to build stronger regional chapters whilst ensuring that our National committees provide impactful learning programs for all our members. Long may it continue.
You would have seen through our social media platforms and in my previous blogs information about the upcoming Education Symposium, Galadima Lecture and Charity Ball. Your national executive is building on the success of last year’s symposium and making this year’s event even bigger. The prize money for the MANSAG Travel Grant has been increased thanks to support from our partners and we have launched a new MANSAG Research Recognition Award – An award dedicated to recognising and celebrating our budding researchers and to match them to renowned MANSAG researchers or institutions like University of Oxford Centre for Research Equity for mentorship and guidance. We will also premiere a play created by Dr Ada Ejiofor around the needs of patients with sickle cell disease to demonstrate MANSAG’s intention to partner with UK Sickle Cell Society and transform the outcomes of patients with the disease in UK and Nigeria
The theme of the conference ‘Boosting Capacity’ will enable speakers in Artificial Intelligence , Medical Genetics, Cultural Transition, Emotional Intelligence, and Global Health share their expertise and give us the tools and guidance we need to individually shape and transform the services we work in.
Not only that ,our workshops on simulation, leadership, quality improvement, and publishing will immerse us in activities carrying out the tasks that are needed for successful transformation projects. The more than sixty submitted abstracts will be the perfect opportunity for our members to share, learn about and shape emerging new findings that will transform patient care in the UK and globally. And of course, Prof Dilly Anumba will inspire with us how he has been able to use his passion, energy, creativity and expertise to become a prominent and impactful global researcher and clinician as he presents The 2026 Galadima Lecture. This is how we at MANSAG ‘Boost Capacity’ and make things better for ourselves and those around us. Can I urge you to visit www.mansag.org to book your place today.
Dates for your diary:
- Saturday 2 May 2026 16th Annual Education Symposium, Galadima Lecture and Charity Ball Newcastle Dr Udoka Onyechere Northeast@mansag.orgÂ
- Saturday 13 June 2026 MANSAG 1st Annual Leadership Away Day London Dr Oge Ilozue/ Professor Rotimi Jaiyesimi info@mansag.orgÂ
- Friday 24 – Saturday 25 October 2026 MANSAG 28th Annual General Conference Glasgow Dr Mudah Salami. Scotland@mansag.orgÂ
And finally,
The prize for any race is to win, to lead, to make an impact, to change, to disrupt the established order so things can be better. That task to change can be overwhelming and difficult to achieve. It is no wonder that many disruptors filled with fire at the outset fizzle out, become frustrated and risk being ‘drowned’ in their efforts – the drowning disruptors. At the leadership academy webinar we learned from Dr Holder-March that as Mansagians we do not have to take that route. We can become dynamic disruptors that transform services not only by leading ourselves, but particularly, by ensuring that everyone else around us also leads. My takeaway from the webinar is that leadership and therefore the privilege to ‘disrupt’ is a gift of self to your community. That is why it is so transformative.
Remember that as Mansagians, ‘Together we Transform’
Until next time…..
Remain Blessed.
Jide,
Dr. Jide Menakaya
President, MANSAG
MANSAG is #MINE