Rising star of the year
This award celebrates exceptional early career colleagues and students who have shown outstanding potential and commitment. Whether supporting patients directly or working behind the scenes, they have already made a positive contribution and are helping shape the future of our organisation.
Ayesha Avais
Trauma and Orthopaedics
Ayesha is a resident doctor who has combined her clinical work with a determination to create opportunities for others. She established the Trust’s first Resident Doctor Research Council, bringing together trainees from different specialties to share ideas, support research and address challenges affecting patients and services across the organisation.
Alongside the demands of clinical training, Ayesha has created a network that encourages collaboration and gives resident doctors a stronger voice in research and improvement work. Colleagues value her enthusiasm and initiative and the opportunities she has created are already giving trainees a greater role in shaping services across the Trust.
Zaneta Jones
Undergraduate Medical Education
Zaneta plays a central role in supporting medical education across the Trust. Over recent months she has combined her responsibilities as Academy Administrator with covering the Academy Manager role, while continuing to support colleagues and train new team members. She also leads the organisation of two major OSCE examinations for University of Bristol medical students each year, including the final assessment, with her attention to detail earning praise from both university and external assessors.
Zaneta is recognised for her organisational skills and willingness to support others. As well as coordinating complex programmes and assessments, she works hard to ensure medical students have a positive experience during their placement, providing practical help and reassurance whenever it is needed. Her contribution often happens behind the scenes, but it is greatly valued by students, colleagues and university partners alike.
Arun Nair
Medical Engineering, GMS
Since joining Medical Engineering two years ago with limited experience of medical devices, Arun has developed into a trusted member of the team with a strong focus on safety. He has played a key role in identifying equipment issues, working with clinical teams to address potential risks and challenging suppliers when standards have fallen short, ensuring equipment is safe and compliant for staff and patients.
Known for his determination to understand problems thoroughly, Arun always sees tasks through to completion. He is confident in raising concerns, willing to challenge established ways of working and always looking for opportunities to improve. Alongside his own development, he supports colleagues and encourages others to raise standards, driving improvement across the team.