Mrs Archana Airody is a Consultant Ophthalmologist at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Hull York Medical School, specialising in medical retina and uveitis.
After completing her medical degree and postgraduate ophthalmology training in India, Archana moved to the UK in 2013. She went on to complete the CESR pathway before being appointed as a consultant.
Alongside her clinical work, Archana is involved in research and medical education, with academic interests including vision-related quality of life, patient-reported outcomes and age-related macular degeneration. She is also an Educational and Clinical Supervisor and a Portfolio Pathway Assessor for the College.
I took on the role of Portfolio Pathway Assessor as a way of giving back. Having completed the CESR pathway myself, I wanted to put that experience to good use and help ensure fair and consistent assessments for future applicants.
Giving back through her own experience
Having followed an alternative route to specialist registration herself, Archana wanted to use her experience to support doctors taking a similar path.
As an assessor, Archana reviews applicants’ portfolios to determine whether their knowledge, skills and experience meet the standards expected of a UK-trained specialist.
For Archana, the strongest applications demonstrate more than simply completing the required evidence.
Above all, it’s evident when an applicant has taken ownership of their journey and invested in producing high-quality, meaningful evidence.
Her advice to doctors preparing for the Portfolio Pathway is to start early, understand the curriculum and seek support from colleagues.
Take every opportunity to complete the assessments you need, so your portfolio reflects a well-rounded, thoughtfully documented journey of professional development.
Learning through getting involved
Becoming an assessor has also supported Archana’s own development, keeping her up to date with the curriculum and giving her opportunities to work with colleagues at the College, the GMC and across ophthalmology.
Most importantly, it has allowed me to support doctors on non-traditional training routes while helping maintain high professional standards and, ultimately, improve patient care.
For Archana, getting involved is an opportunity to draw on her own career journey to support others while contributing to the development of the ophthalmology workforce.
Interested in getting involved with the College? Explore our current volunteering opportunities and find out how you can contribute.