Celebrating London’s Public Health Workforce
Many Paths. One Purpose.
London’s public health workforce is made up of people from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and professions.
Whether they started in medicine, nursing, sociology, communications, psychology, local government, education or community development, they now share a common purpose: Improving and protecting the health of Londoners.
This Public Health Workforce Week, we are celebrating London’s wonderful public health workforce by shining a light on some of the extraordinary professionals whose stories demonstrate the deep commitment, breadth, diversity and impact of public health across the capital.
Public health has always been part of Vicky Hobart‘s story. Growing up in North London, she was heavily influenced by her mum, a health visitor in Summer’s Town who also worked in some of the UK’s earliest family planning clinics. Those early experiences laid the foundations for a career dedicated to improving health and tackling inequalities.
Dr Janet Djomba‘s public health career has its roots in Slovenia, where she studied medicine. Although public health did not initially capture her interest, she eventually realised her passion lay in helping people stay healthy rather than treating illness. Supported by an influential public health professor who became her mentor, she pursued public health training and doctoral studies, despite facing challenges in securing a training post.
For Anna Martinez, a career in public health began with curiosity, opportunity and a global perspective. After completing a psychology degree, she travelled abroad and had the opportunity to work for UNAIDS. That experience proved transformative and, within two years, she knew public health was where she wanted to build her career. Returning to the UK, she completed a Master’s degree and began the journey that would lead her into senior leadership within the public health system.
Dr Leonora Weil’s career journey demonstrates the power of curiosity, connection and being open to unexpected opportunities.
Originally intending to become a paediatrician, Leonora’s path changed after meeting a health leader who took the time to discuss different career possibilities and introduce her to people working across health and public services. Those conversations opened her eyes to the breadth of impact public health could have and inspired her to join the public health training scheme.
For Natalie Daley, the route into public health wasn’t straightforward, but that’s exactly what makes her story so powerful.
Initially drawn to a clinical career, Natalie became interested in public health while working as a junior doctor after attending a teaching session delivered by a local authority public health team. Although she went on to pursue psychiatry training, a change in direction led her to explore public health as an alternative path. A Master’s degree at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine confirmed that she had found her calling.
For Ysabella Hawkings, public health was not part of the original plan. After studying biomedical science with ambitions of pursuing medicine, her path took several unexpected turns before a role at a public health research institute in Toronto introduced her to the field and opened her eyes to public health’s potential.
Angharad Judge‘s journey into public health began with an interest in nutrition and health sciences. However, a mumps outbreak during her university years became a defining moment. Observing the response from Public Health Wales, including outbreak management and vaccination efforts, sparked her curiosity about the broader systems that protect population health.
Linda Edward‘s public health journey is rooted in frontline healthcare. As a qualified adult nurse, midwife and health visitor, she developed a deep understanding of the factors influencing health outcomes and became increasingly passionate about prevention, early intervention and reducing health inequalities. Her experience as a health visitor was particularly formative, reinforcing the importance of structured public health approaches that help give children and young people the best possible start in life.
For Samantha Gentry-Marshall, public health was truly a matter of fate. Returning to work after raising her children, she joined a public health team through a temporary administrative role and quickly discovered a passion for the profession. What began as administrative support evolved into a career dedicated to developing and supporting the public health workforce.
Public health was not always part of Ben Seifert‘s career plan. He entered the profession through a six-month placement on a local government graduate scheme and immediately found himself inspired by public health’s focus on prevention, equity and community impact. Four years later, he remains passionate about the field and the difference it can make to people’s lives.
Donna Walker is a public health commissioner with a background in social work, programme development and youth services. Her career has been driven by a passion for prevention, health inequalities and improving outcomes for children and young people. Inspired by her early work supporting care leavers, asylum-seeking children and young migrants, she developed a strong understanding of the wider determinants of health and the importance of intervening early.
