60 seconds with Mariama Sambou

Mariama is the Private Patients unit’s Service Manager.

You have been a rising star here in PPU, give us a bit of background on where you started from to where you are now?

I started as a Sales and Enquiries Coordinator and worked my way up to an Enquiries Officer/Supervisor, in total my time in sales was four years. In 2019, I was promoted to Assistant Service Delivery Manager and whilst I was in this role the COVID pandemic hit and I was thrust into different working conditions where I needed to adapt and learn new skills, as well as implement my existing ones. Moving on to present day, I am now PPU Service Manager.

 

Not long into your role as assistant service delivery manager, you faced one of the biggest challenges for your role, the COVID-19 pandemic. How was this for you, how did you find working through it and how did you adapt to the constantly changing and high-pressured environment? 

When the COVID pandemic hit, I took on the temporary role as a PPU Navigator, in terms of the role I was able to adapt to it and enjoyed it as it enabled me to work with different people that I have not worked with before within and outside of PPU. Working through the pandemic was scary and stressful but very enlightening as I got to learn a lot, work in new ways, and create new relationships. I adapted to the environment very well as I like new challenges and saw this as an opportunity to learn.

 

Mariama (1)

What tasks does your job role consist of and what is a typical day like for you?

A few of my tasks are to oversee and line manage administration teams (excluding secretaries) in particular departments and support some of the senior management team members in their day-to-day roles. A typical day for me is very busy on the phones or in meetings scheduling and putting pathways in place.

What else would you like to learn here at PPU, where would you like your experiences and knowledge to take you within the unit?

I am content with where I am at right now and would like to take on everything this role has to offer.

 

After such a busy and active day at work, how do you like to relax and unwind?

I like to unwind by spending time with my family and socialising with friends.

 

Who is your biggest inspiration?

My biggest inspiration is my mum and dad.