Rising Star Award for Trainee Vascular Scientist
9/10/2025
A Trainee Vascular Scientist at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, has been awarded the Rising Star Award at this year’s BCUHB Achievement Awards, celebrating her exceptional dedication, innovation, and commitment to patient care.
Milly Trigg made history as the first-ever Vascular Science STP (Scientist Training Programme) trainee in Wales, securing her position through fierce competition. Employed full-time by BCUHB and funded by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), she has already made a remarkable impact within her department and beyond.
Her enthusiasm and work ethic extend far beyond her day-to-day responsibilities. Milly actively engages with schools, speaking to GCSE, A-level students, and primary school teachers about healthcare science careers. She has liaised with universities, arranged visits, and created educational resources to inspire the next generation of healthcare scientists. Milly has enhanced the profile of the Radiology department, joining the diabetes management Multi-Disciplinary Team, training in smoking cessation with Stop Smoking Wales, and observing community-based cessation clinics. She has also taken ownership of coordinating placements for Cardiology STP students across Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Ysbyty Gwynedd, and Ysbyty Maelor Wrexham, negotiating schedules across multiple clinical areas.
Milly’s work with HEIW includes contributing to the planning of the new vascular science curriculum and researching barriers to outreach across Wales.
Above all, Milly is known for her compassion and patient care. In one instance, she identified a patient at risk of self-harm, intervened appropriately, and ensured urgent follow-up support—demonstrating both clinical acumen and empathy beyond her years.
Trevor Frankel, Principal Clinical Vascular Scientist said: "Milly exemplifies everything the Rising Star Award represents. Her dedication, innovation, and compassion have already made a tangible difference to patients, colleagues, and the wider healthcare community. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and can’t wait to see the impact she will continue to make in the future."
Milly Trigg’s award highlights not only her outstanding personal contributions but also the bright future she represents for healthcare science in Wales.
The principal sponsor of the Achievement Awards was Centerprise International. For more than 40 years, Centerprise International has been dedicated to providing innovative, tailored IT solutions customers across both the public and private sectors.
Jez Nash, Chief Executive Officer of the awards’ principal sponsor Centerprise International, said: “We were again delighted to support the awards and help recognise the outstanding efforts of NHS staff across North Wales.
“Centerprise International has a long and proud partnership with the NHS in Wales, and tonight’s examples of staff going above and beyond to support both patients and their colleagues was a fantastic reminder of the special work they do.
“Congratulations again to everyone shortlisted.”