Alumnae Spotlight: Suzanne Al-Rawi

Suzanne Al-Rawi, Royal High School Bath, Class of 2013, is currently a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer’s Clinical Fellow at NHS England, working within the Hospital Pharmacy Modernisation team, a role which she feels has given her invaluable experience in leadership, innovation, and strategic planning, enabling her to contribute to national-level healthcare improvements.

Before joining the fellowship, she worked as a Specialist Cardiac Pharmacist at Barts Hospital. Her journey began after completing her MPharm degree, followed by a pre-registration year at Barts, where she stayed on as a rotational pharmacist while completing her clinical diploma at Bath University. She later specialised in cardiology, earning her independent prescribing qualification at UCL, which enabled her to review patients independently both in clinics and on the wards.

I have always been passionate about workforce development and inclusive practice and have actively contributed to these areas throughout my career. I strongly believe in bottom-up leadership to drive meaningful organisational change—this belief is what inspired me to apply for the fellowship and continue working towards a more innovative and inclusive healthcare system.

Which aspects of Royal High School Bath did you enjoy and find most rewarding? 

I loved every part of Royal High. The support from the staff was incredible, and the structured approach to education really helped prepare us for university and future careers. It felt like we weren’t just learning for exams but building the skills and confidence needed for the next stage of our lives.

Any key memories or favourite teachers? 

Mr. Hardcastle, without a doubt, had the biggest impact on my journey - he's the reason I chose to study pharmacy! His passion for organic chemistry was contagious, and he made every lesson exciting and engaging. Thanks to him, I fell in love with the subject and went on to major in it during my degree and master's. He truly cared about each student, always pushing us to do our best.

Mrs. Taylor was another unforgettable teacher—her patience and dedication were unmatched. She took the time to tailor each biology lesson to our needs, making even the most complex topics easier to grasp. Her supportive nature made a real difference in our learning experience.

What did you aspire to while at school? 

I changed my mind a million times! Eventually, I was set on studying chemistry and pursuing a career in education. However, after a conversation with Mr. Hardcastle, I switched to pharmacy, realising it was the perfect blend of science and helping others.

How did Royal High empower you for your future? Are there key things you still reflect on that you learnt while in school, that help you to this day? 

One of the most valuable aspects of my sixth form experience was the unwavering support from my teachers. They weren’t just educators; they were mentors who genuinely cared about our success. Many of them sacrificed their lunch breaks and stayed after school to go through questions, offer guidance, and help us navigate the challenges of A-levels. Their dedication went beyond the curriculum - they encouraged us to think critically, push our limits, and believe in ourselves.

A defining moment for me was the process of writing my personal statement for university applications. It was daunting at first, but the teachers provided endless support, refining drafts, offering constructive feedback, and ensuring that each of us presented our best selves on paper. They also helped us explore career pathways, offering insights and advice that made the transition to university and beyond much smoother.

Beyond academic support, Royal High placed a strong emphasis on preparing us for life after sixth form. They organised training sessions on creating CVs, mastering interview skills, and developing professional confidence. There were workshops on everything from managing stress to productivity hacks - even one on how to take a good nap! These experiences taught us that success isn’t just about working hard, but also about working smart and taking care of ourselves.

To this day, I reflect on the skills I developed in sixth form - time management, resilience, and the ability to ask for help when needed. The experience of working through complex problems, receiving constructive criticism, and learning how to articulate my ambitions has been invaluable.

How did your studies at Royal High inspire you to follow your chosen career?  

Studying psychology, business economics, biology, and chemistry at A-level played a huge role in shaping my career as a pharmacist. Each subject contributed to the knowledge and skills I use daily in my profession. Chemistry and biology provided the essential scientific foundation, helping me understand drug mechanisms, drug discovery and patient care, while psychology gave me insight into patient behaviour and the importance of communication in healthcare. Business economics also proved invaluable, as pharmacy extends beyond clinical work into leadership, management, and healthcare systems.

Beyond the subjects themselves, my teachers were a huge source of inspiration. Their passion and dedication made learning exciting, and their encouragement pushed me to explore my interests further. Their enthusiasm, particularly in organic chemistry, sparked my love for the subject and played a significant role in my decision to pursue pharmacy.

More than just inspiring my career choice, my teachers also instilled in me a passion for education and training. Their ability to teach and inspire made a lasting impact on me, and I wanted to do the same for others. This led me to become heavily involved in training and development within my role—writing training packs, lecturing, becoming a tutor and mentor, and teaching pharmacy teams, doctors, and nurses. I developed a 5-year run through training programme for cardiology at my hospital, ensuring that others could benefit from structured learning and professional growth.

What has been your proudest moment? 

Becoming one of the youngest Chief Pharmaceutical Officers Clinical Fellows at NHS England. It was a milestone that reaffirmed the importance of believing in myself and seizing opportunities, even when they feel daunting. The experience has shown me that growth comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone and embracing challenges. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to wait until you feel "ready"—sometimes, the best opportunities come when you take a leap of faith.  This journey has reinforced my belief that age should never be a barrier to ambition. If you have the passion, dedication, and willingness to learn, you belong in the spaces you aspire to be in. I hope my experience encourages others to back themselves, take risks, and go after the opportunities that excite them—because you never know what you’re capable of until you try!

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were at school? 

You don’t have to have your whole life figured out right now. Choosing a career isn’t about picking a single “dream job” and sticking to it forever—it’s about finding something that excites you in the moment and staying open to where it might lead.

So please, take the pressure off yourself. Explore your interests, say yes to new opportunities, and don’t be afraid to change your mind. My friends and I often say we wish we’d been told more as students that careers don’t follow a straight line. They zigzag, loop-de-loop, and take you to places you never expected. And that’s not just okay—it’s brilliant.

For me, pharmacy has been the perfect choice because of its versatility. You can work in research, teach, run clinics, prescribe medications, explore law and governance, or even branch into areas like AI, NHS digital, and coding. Some pharmacists travel, work with charities, or help set up healthcare services in underdeveloped countries. There are so many ways to make a real impact, and the best part is that if one day you feel like trying something completely new, there’s room for that too.

So don’t feel like you have to have everything mapped out right now. Stay curious, be open to change, and trust that you’ll find your way.

What are your hopes for the future? 

My hopes for the future are to become a senior pharmacy clinical leader within healthcare, where I can continue to make a meaningful impact on policies, workforce development and training. I want to work on shaping the future of healthcare by ensuring that education, inclusion, and diversity are at the heart of what we do.

I am passionate about fostering an environment where healthcare professionals are supported in their growth and where diverse perspectives are valued. By focusing on training and education, I aim to help build a workforce that is not only highly skilled but also inclusive and adaptable to the evolving needs of the healthcare system.

Ultimately, I hope to drive positive change, ensuring that healthcare is accessible, equitable, and empowering for both professionals and patients alike.