As the first female chair of the UK SAS doctors committee from a BAME and IMG (international medical graduate) background, I would tell my younger self: believe in yourself, even when others do not yet see your potential.

My journey was not straightforward. Coming to the UK as an IMG, taking a career break to raise my family, returning to medicine, changing career direction, and eventually stepping into leadership all brought challenges. At times, I questioned whether I truly belonged.

Looking back, I realise that those experiences were not barriers – they became the foundations of my leadership.

I would tell my younger self:

• Never see being a woman, an IMG or from a BAME background as a limitation. These experiences bring perspectives that are essential to our profession.
• Your career does not have to follow a conventional path. Choosing an SAS career to balance family and professional commitments was not stepping back; it was making a positive choice for my life.
• Know your worth. SAS doctors have immense expertise, commitment, and value. Never be afraid to advocate for yourself and your colleagues.
• Use your voice. If decisions are being made about you and your colleagues, make sure you are part of the conversation.
• Step forward when opportunities arise. You may not always feel ready, but sometimes leadership begins simply by having the courage to say, ‘I will try.’
• Don’t climb the ladder alone. Bring others with you, particularly those who may not yet believe that leadership is possible for them.
• Be visible. Representation matters. When someone sees a woman, an IMG or a BAME doctor in a senior leadership role, it can change what they believe is possible for themselves.
• Turn challenges into opportunities for change. The obstacles you experience can help you understand what needs to change for those who follow.
• Be proud of where you came from. Your background is part of your strength, not something you need to leave behind to succeed.

Most importantly, I would say: you don’t have to fit the traditional mould to lead. Your journey, your experiences and your voice are valuable. Have the courage to step forward, create space for others, and when you reach the table, make sure you bring others with you.

Leadership is not simply about being the first. It is about making sure you are not the last.

Bio: Ujjwala Anand Mohite is chair of the BMA SAS doctors committee.