King’s appoints new Chief Medical Officer

05 September 2024 - Dr Mamta Shetty Vaidya has been appointed as King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s new Chief Medical Officer

Dr Shetty Vaidya, a Consultant Paediatric Intensivist, is currently Chief Medical Officer at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, before which she was Deputy Medical Director at The Royal London Hospital, part of Barts Health NHS Trust, where she worked for more than 15 years.

Dr Shetty Vaidya will take up the Chief Medical Officer role at King’s in January 2025. Dr Leonie Penna, the Trust’s Chief Medical Officer, had planned to retire from the role at the end of February next year, but unfortunately, she has had to stand down from the position with immediate effect for personal reasons.

As a result, Ms Rantimi Ayodele, Site Medical Director for PRUH and South Sites and Deputy Chief Medical Officer, will become the Acting Chief Medical Officer at the Trust until Dr Shetty Vaidya takes up her role at King’s in the New Year.

Dr Shetty Vaidya said: “I’m really looking forward to joining the leadership team at King’s. This is an exciting opportunity for me, and I am looking forward to getting to know colleagues across the Trust, and doing everything I can to support them to deliver high quality care for patients, and local communities.”

Professor Clive Kay, Chief Executive at King’s, welcomed Dr Shetty Vaidya’s appointment:

“Mamta was the stand-out candidate for the role, and her passion for people, and supporting patients and the colleagues she works with, shone through. I am looking forward to Mamta joining us here at King’s in the New Year.”

Professor Kay also thanked Dr Penna for her contribution in her role as Chief Medical Officer role:

“Leonie has provided outstanding leadership throughout her time as Chief Medical Officer at King’s, including supporting the Trust through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Leonie is a huge champion of the Trust, and the work of our staff, so I would like to thank her for everything she has done, and continues to do, for colleagues and patients at King’s.”

“I am also very grateful to Rantimi for covering the Chief Medical Officer role at King’s until Mamta joins us next year.”