That’s Me! in Conversation with Sherwin Criseno
At Birmingham City University, the That’s Me! project is about improving access to postgraduate research and professional careers, while amplifying diverse voices and lived experiences. By sharing these stories, we show how individuals from underrepresented backgrounds are driving change — in themselves and in their professions.
For this spotlight, we spoke with Sherwin Criseno, Consultant Nurse in Endocrinology and Metabolism at University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB), about his career journey, the value of mentoring, and why progress depends on seeking out opportunities rather than waiting for them.
Can you tell us about your career journey and how you got to where you are today?
“I was trained in the Philippines and qualified in 1995. I came here in early 2000 to work as an Accident and Emergency nurse. After ten years in A&E, I realised that to progress, I needed to seek out new opportunities.”
“I started working in intravenous therapy and went on to establish the very first specialist nursing team in the Midlands. That experience taught me that opportunities rarely come to you — you have to look for them.”
You’ve mentioned the importance of actively seeking opportunities. Can you expand on that?
“When I first arrived in the UK, there were about seventy of us from the Philippines. Only a few have really progressed — not because of a lack of talent, but because many waited for opportunities to come to them. There’s often an expectation that someone will notice your hard work, but it doesn’t work that way.”
“I’d say about 80% of what I’ve achieved came from actively looking for what’s next. No one handed me a roadmap; I had to find my own path.”
What led you into endocrinology, and what have you built there?
“After working in intravenous therapy, an opportunity came up in endocrinology. The matron told me, ‘Very few people have a background in endocrinology — it’s a niche area. But don’t worry, we’ll provide the training.’ I decided to take that leap.”
“With support from the team, I saw the potential to grow the service. Over time, we developed the largest specialist endocrinology nursing team in Europe — 13 specialist nurses managing patients with complex, long-term conditions.”
You’ve completed two master’s degrees and are now pursuing a PhD. What motivated you to keep studying?
“For me, it’s about credibility. I want my patients to have confidence in me, and that comes from both experience and qualifications. I completed a Master’s in Endocrinology and a Master’s in Advanced Clinical Practice at the same time — while working full time and managing a team.”
“It was intense, but I saw it as an investment. Progress doesn’t come from doing the bare minimum — you have to put in the extra effort.”
You’re now an NIHR-funded PhD fellow. How did that come about?
“After finishing two Master’s degrees, I wasn’t planning to do a PhD — I was exhausted. But a year later, an opportunity came up for a PhD in Manchester.”
“One of the consultants here told me, ‘You’re not going to accept that — we’re going to help you find a PhD here.’ That’s how I discovered the NIHR fellowship.”
“Again, I had to ask the question, ‘What’s available for me?’ It wasn’t offered — I sought it out, and I’m glad I did.”
What does equality, diversity and inclusion mean to you?
“Equality, diversity and inclusion, to me, are about personal choice and preparedness. You can tell someone there’s an opportunity, but if they don’t take it, nothing happens.”
“Early in my career, I experienced discrimination. Eventually, I made the decision to leave that environment — sometimes you can’t change the system, but you can choose your response to it.”
“In my team, more than half are from the Philippines. My philosophy is simple: I bring them with me. I show them what’s available, but it’s up to them to grab it.”
What advice would you give to postgraduate researchers and professionals?
“Progress requires personal time as well as professional time. Employers can support you, but they can’t give you all the time you need — you have to invest your own.”
“The real value of postgraduate study is in the learning journey — it shapes how you think and make decisions. Always involve your manager so they understand how your learning benefits the service.”
From a recruitment perspective, what makes postgraduate researchers stand out?
“In recruiting senior positions, we now make it standard that candidates have research skills or training. In nursing, we’re still catching up — but it has to start somewhere.”
“Quality improvement and research go hand in hand. For those in advanced roles, research shouldn’t be optional — it’s essential for maintaining autonomy and credibility.”
Lastly, what advice would you give to employers aiming to become more inclusive?
“The first step is to identify which groups aren’t taking advantage of opportunities like CPD funding. There’s no such thing as ‘hard to reach’ — we just need to reach them better.”
“Sometimes it’s not personal choice; it’s lack of access to information. Managers need to be proactive in sharing opportunities and communicating them clearly.”
“Not everyone prefers webinars — some prefer face-to-face conversations. Inclusivity means offering different ways for people to engage and learn.”
Sherwin’s story shows that progress in healthcare — and in research — isn’t only about systems and structures. It’s about agency.
As he puts it:
“You have to seek the opportunity — because it won’t always come to you.”
Stay tuned for more That’s Me! Employer Spotlights from across the West Midlands as we continue to share the voices of professionals driving inclusion and change.
To learn more about the That’s Me! project Employer Board, visit: https://www.bcu.ac.uk/research/thats-me/employer-board
