Celebrating Armed Forces Week 2026: Andrea's Story of Service, Leadership and Resilience

As part of Armed Forces Week and Reserves Day 2026, we are shining a spotlight on some of the incredible colleagues who balance careers in the NHS with service in the Armed Forces.

One of those colleagues is Andrea, a Clinical Leader in the operating theatres at the University Hospital of Wales.

Andrea covers procedures across obstetrics, gynaecology, general surgery, ENT and robotic surgery, while also helping to train and support students and new members of staff. Alongside her NHS role, she serves as a Perioperative Practitioner and Instructor in Traumatic Combat Casualty Care within the Army Reserves.

For Andrea, both roles are busy, rewarding and full of opportunities to learn.

"A typical day is very busy in both areas," she said. "At Cardiff and Vale, I'm dealing with a wide range of cases, supporting my team and sometimes managing the department. I'm also a qualified teacher, so I spend a lot of time helping students and new staff develop their clinical skills."

One of the things Andrea enjoys most about being a reservist is the chance to learn new skills and meet people from diverse backgrounds.

"I get to attend lots of courses and exercises and meet people from all over the world. I'm also proud to be an advocate for the Welsh language in both areas."

Over the years, her military service has taken her on some unforgettable experiences, including diving, helicopter drills and adventure training around the world.

One memory that stands out is clinically running the first scrub table in Afghanistan.

"I learnt to assist with open chest massage during a cardiac arrest.”

Andrea says her time in the Army Reserves has helped shape who she is both professionally and personally, particularly following her own experience with illness.

"I think my time in the reserve has given me resilience to get on with life especially after a breast cancer diagnosis. My army ethos drove me forward to get better.”

The skills she develops through military training, including teamwork, leadership and staying calm under pressure, are all things she brings back into her NHS role.

While many colleagues are fascinated by her experiences, Andrea says there is one thing that often surprises them most.

"My colleagues find it very bizarre that I know how to defend myself and patients!”

Balancing two demanding careers is not always easy, but Andrea says having support around you makes all the difference.

"You have to have good family support and a dedicated work team to fill in if you have to go on deployment.”

For anyone working in the NHS who is considering joining the Reserve Forces, Andrea would encourage them to take the opportunity.

“I would say to my colleagues that being in the Reserves will give you amazing life experience and educational opportunities.”

As we mark Armed Forces Week, Andrea believes it is important to recognise the contribution of serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families.

" I think it's important to celebrate the forces, as like it or not, they are put in dangerous places."

She also hopes people understand that reservists bring valuable learning from often incredibly challenging experiences back into their everyday NHS roles.

“I also think it's important to understand some of the traumatic things that we deal with, and that when we are away, we are learning things to benefit the NHS.”

Looking back on her career so far, Andrea says two moments stand out above all others.

"Getting my operational tour medal in Birmingham Cathedral in front of my husband and children. Also passing my degree and having my mother see me in my cap and gown. I was the first family member to go to university.”

This Armed Forces Week, we would like to thank Andrea and all members of our Armed Forces community for the dedication, experience and commitment they bring to their roles every day.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is committed to meeting the needs of the armed forces community and are proudly part of the Armed Forces Covenant.