Nicki is a senior plastic surgery registrar at St Thomas' Hospital in London.

 

Where is home?

 

In Highgate with my husband and lovely son. It’s also a smell, a place, a sound that has a connection to those close to me, something that evokes fond memories. 

 

Give us five words that best describe who you are?

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 Enthusiastic, adaptable, stubborn, meticulous, approachable

 

 How did you end up doing what you do?

 

 I wanted to be a doctor from quite a young age and a plastic surgeon shortly after I qualified. It hasn’t been a straight forward easy route and took me a while to get there but I persevered and wouldn’t change it for the world.  

 

What is the best part of what you do?

 

The people I work with, having the ability to do something to change someone’s life for the better and help them through a difficult time in their life and the variability of the work. 

 

What was your Plan B?

 

 I never had one. I had various ideas but nothing concrete, I wanted to be a surgeon and nothing else.

 

 Professionally, who do you most admire and why?

 

 Marie Curie. She didn’t accept not going to university in Poland, so moved to Paris to study and went on to win two Nobel prizes. She said ‘We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained’. 

 

What is your view of a ‘balanced life’?

 

Not feeling guilty and being in the moment. Making the most of your time whether it be at work or at home with friends and family. 

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 What do you do to relax and enjoy yourself in London?

 

 Getting lost in London streets, finding a park and running around with my son and being silly. 

 

What is your biggest London extravagance?

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 Food and taxis! 

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 Where is your favourite place in London?

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Berkeley square in Mayfair- it was one of my dads favourite places, it’s in the middle of London but has such a peaceful atmosphere and it always conjures up happy memories of him.