Celebrating Donna Paddon: A Shining Star in Medical Education

We are thrilled to share that Donna Paddon, from North Bristol NHS Trust, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Medical Education Manager (MEM) of the Year Award.

Donna wears many hats — she is our Severn Council Representative, Minute Secretary, Medical Education Manager, and a glamorous grandma — and somehow balances them all with grace and dedication.

With an impressive 30 years of experience in Medical Education, Donna has taken on a variety of roles within the team, and for the past nine years, she has served as a highly respected manager. Her commitment doesn't stop there; Donna has also supported roles within Learning & Development and Medical Workforce, gaining valuable insights that have strengthened her work in education.

Like all outstanding MEMs, Donna brings passion, warmth, and professionalism to her role. She says:

“Medical Education is an amazing field to work in — never a dull day! The interaction and development across all the areas you support makes for such a varied and interesting role.”

A true NHS champion, Donna reflects:

“The NHS is a wonderful organisation — despite its challenges, I would never have worked anywhere else. But for me, the key is the team around you. Without your colleagues, nothing is possible.”

And, of course, Donna’s favourite mantra still rings true:

“Every day’s a school day!”

Congratulations, Donna — and thank you for everything you do