Who Are We
The foundation is supported by three co-founding trustees of varying occupations, experience and background. As a group, we collectively bring together a wealth of knowledge that will help ensure the foundation achieves its vision.
Meet The Founding Team
Dr Daniel Gearon
Founder and CEO
Dr Daniel Gearon
Founder and CEODan is a core surgical trainee in Cardiothoracics at the Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge where he is also embarking on a Master of Studies in Entrepreneurship with the prestigious Judge Business School at Cambridge University. Prior to medicine, he was a decorated collegiate tennis athlete in the USA, where he also obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication. Daniel has drawn from his experiences and paralleled these to working as a doctor in the United Kingdom. He is a highly motivated, impact-based individual and is the driver to delivering the leading mental health charity of doctors.
Derrick Dennard
Co-Founding Trustee
Derrick Dennard
Co-Founding TrusteeDerek is an established entrepreneur and co-founded a market-leading solution-based construction firm in the 1970s in Sussex, which at its point of sale had 750 employees. He is one of few successful founders cum-CEO’s that has navigated multiple recessions along the company’s path to success. Since retiring, he has been committed to the success of community activities such as improving the literacy of prisoners, tackling issues such as homelessness and drug and alcohol abuse via the Dennard Fund. Derek’s business acumen, precision, along with his financial oversight is an invaluable asset to the YOD foundation.
Chris Cherry
Co-Founding Trustee
Chris Cherry
Co-Founding TrusteeChris is a qualified integrative psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience. He is fully registered with the UK Council of Psychotherapy and has worked in a variety of clinical settings including the NHS, the Crown Prosecution Service, as well as founding and coordinating a number of organisations. His work has also extended to a variety of appearances on a wide range of TV and radio programmes including ‘The Truth About Men’ on ITV, Radio 4 and BBC Radio Berkshire. Chris has worked with a broad range of emotional issues ranging from anxiety to addictions and with these experiences he will provide valuable insight into tailoring specific products to support doctors’ mental health.
Dr Meenal Galal
Trustee
Dr Meenal Galal
TrusteeMeenal is currently an emergency medicine consultant at the John Radcliffe Hospital (Oxford University Trust). She has most recently completed her critical care fellowship at Addenbrooke’s Hospital (Cambridge University Trust), prior to which she had embarked upon an MBA, followed by several years’ experience within the corporate and investment banking sector. She has experience in nautical medicine as a ship’s doctor and officer, as well as her advanced scuba diving certification. Her formative training years were in South African trauma units, as well as austere environments including the restructuring of a remote hospital, in rural Transkei. She is deeply passionate about optimization of wellbeing and brings multi-faceted experience to the promote the health and mental well-being of doctors, through the strategic development of the charity.
Our Ambassadors
Dr Mark Seaman
Founding Ambassador
Dr Mark Seaman
Founding AmbassadorMark is a distinguished academic and medical doctor, who is currently enrolled in General Practice Training in the United Kingdom. Prior to GP training, he completed his basic Speciality Training Trinity Scheme in Ireland, where he successfully attained his membership to the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. Before medicine he completed a degree in Biomedical Science at the University of Central Lancashire where he was awarded the prestigious president's prize from the Institute of Biomedical Sciences for outstanding academic performance. His interests align with wellbeing, nutritional, physical and mental health, these combined with his academic prowess will be invaluable to the progression of the YOD Foundation. Interestingly, Mark is a talented artist and is developing our bespoke content for social media.
Dr Jonathan Mutch
Founding Ambassador
Dr Jonathan Mutch
Founding AmbassadorJonathan is a London-based paediatric registrar, where he is currently successfully shouldering the exposures that are largely unique to this speciality. Jonny holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and has extensive experience working for Teach First prior to medicine. His passion for serving sick children is multi-fold and extends beyond the NHS to the Amazon rainforest where he worked with project Amazonas in treating children. His insight, logic and honesty combined with his public speaking ability will be a huge asset for the foundation.
Dr Gregory Stuart
Founding Ambassador
Dr Gregory Stuart
Founding AmbassadorGreg has successfully navigated the early years of his doctor career and will complete GP training in August 2020. He has an impressive academic background prior to medicine that started with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences and a Masters of Science in Nutrition, Obesity and Public Health. Greg’s passion lies in General Practice, extending to wellbeing and stress management. He has an impressive array of fitness achievements including completing 24 hour challenges and Men’s Health Challenges. His experience in health research and treating his patients on all levels including mental and physical combined with his openness, tenacious and relentless passion for life will help the YOD foundation grow in a knowledgeable and energetic manner.
Dr Stephanie Gorgievska
Founding Ambassador
Dr Stephanie Gorgievska
Founding AmbassadorStephanie is a London based Obstetric and Gynaecology speciality registrar where she is successfully navigating postgraduate exams and progressing her career. Her academia is further supported by a Bachelor of Science degree in Genetics prior to entering the medical field. Stephanie has a colourful post-graduate career which is distinguished by the completion of multiple courses and international research presentations. She is an impact based person, a clear thinker and it is her clarity along with her evidence-based approach that will be of utmost benefit to the foundation.
