Since joining Icon in January 2024, Penny has been integral to our strategic growth in the region, providing invaluable clinical and market insights and networking opportunities to ensure Icon is positioned for success.
Icon Group’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ian Irving said this appointment was the natural next step in our UK expansion.
“Penny has already brought incredible strategic value to our UK business and now as CMO she will oversee medical direction, grow our UK clinical network and drive improvements in patient care, further building on our clinician-led values and patient-centred care,” said Ian.
“Penny will also have a strong focus on nurturing communities of best practice among our UK and broader global clinician network and establishing strong clinical governance in the UK to ensure consistent, high-quality care.”
Learn more about Penny and her passion for improving cancer care in the UK in the Q&A below.
Penny joined Icon as she shares the same vision of care and an ambition to addressing the growing cancer burden.
“Every patient with cancer, no matter where they are or where they come from in the UK, should have access to the right treatment at the right time and as close to home as possible,” said Penny.
Penny’s path in medicine was shaped by her attraction to the continuous evolution of oncology.
“Oncology is a fascinating area of continuous development,” she explained.
Driven by the advancements in chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and understanding the role of lifestyle factors in cancer treatment, she finds the specialty rewarding on multiple levels.
“It’s a difficult specialty and you need to see patients holistically, which I quite enjoy,” she adds, highlighting her dual focus on treatment and improving patients’ overall health and wellbeing.
Currently focussing on breast cancer, Penny employs a range of treatments including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and integrative oncology approaches.
“I’ve been trained to treat all solid tumours, and I have experience with gynaecological malignancies, urology, brain and lower GI but at the moment my single clinical focus is treating breast cancer, given the complex and evolving treatment and research landscape.”
The challenge of aligning cancer treatment demands with available medical resources is a pressing concern for Penny.
“One of the challenging areas in my work is the sheer demand for cancer treatments at the moment, which doesn’t align with the capacity in terms of clinics or radiotherapy machines,” she said.
This discrepancy can lead to delays, making it difficult to provide timely, life-saving treatments.
“I find that really challenging as a clinician because I know what excellence looks like and I want to see my patients receiving life prolonging treatment and curative treatment at the right time.”
On the flip side, the rewards of her role are deeply fulfilling.
“It’s rewarding when I spend a good amount of time with my patients, when I listen to them and address their concerns and their needs, and I’m able, with my knowledge and skills, to individualise treatments,” she shared.
These interactions make the cancer journey a better experience for her patients, highlighting the profound impact of personalised care.
Penny is enthusiastic about the technological advances reshaping cancer treatment, especially in the realms of radiotherapy and genomics.
“Radiotherapy technologies have changed over the years, and with image-guided radiotherapy and surface-guided radiotherapy, we’re able to deliver more targeted treatments, protecting the organs at risk, minimising long term side effects and preserving critical organs such as the heart,” she explained.
These improvements enhance the patient experience by allowing for higher doses in fewer sessions.
She also emphasises the transformative potential of immunotherapy and integrative oncology.
“Immunotherapy has really transformed oncology in certain areas where the prognosis was very poor, such as lung cancer and melanoma. And now patients are living better lives for longer,” she explained.
Penny advocates for incorporating complementary therapies.
“There’s lots of evidence now showing that complementary therapies such as acupuncture can improve the quality of life for patients. Exercise as medicine has also been proven to improve survival in cancer patients.”
Penny’s commitment to healthcare extends beyond her clinical roles into diverse areas such as digital transformation, media engagement, and leadership.
“Working in healthcare nowadays, you must have a diversity of skills and continuously learn, otherwise improvement can’t happen. We need to be aligned with current trends as clinicians, and we need to stay up to date,” she asserts.
This holistic approach is crucial for keeping pace with advancements in medical technology and patient care.
“The use of artificial intelligence is expanding. We can use it as clinicians to benefit our patient care, such as providing more accurate or faster diagnostics and even individualisation of treatment,” she explained.
Her leadership is not confined to direct clinical activities but encompasses managing systems, improving patient care through technology, and advocating for healthcare improvements on various platforms, including podcasts and speaking at conferences.
Drawn to Icon by its leadership and commitment to cutting-edge technologies, research and integrated approach, Penny aims to expand these initiatives within the UK.
“What drew me to Icon was its vision and prioritisation of patients and clinicians … there is a compassionate element at its core,” she reflected.
“As CMO, I look forward to building on Icon’s track record and enhancing patient care to more communities in the UK.”