Dr Rima K. Dhillon-Smith

Member of Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists - June 2017

PhD – University of Birmingham 2015

MBChB – University of Birmingham 2009 

Rima qualified MBChB from the University of Birmingham in 2009 and began her specialty training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 2011. She was awarded her PhD titled “Risk stratification for women undergoing in-vitro fertilisation” in 2015 and achieved multiple high-quality publications from this work. During her PhD years, Rima was also the lead research fellow for the TABLET (Thyroid AntiBodies and LEvoThyroxine) trial. She completed the trial and wrote the final paper which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in April 2019.

Rima is currently undertaking combined clinical training and academic work as a Clinical Lecturer.

• 2^nd year MBChB RED module
• 2^nd year PIP module lead for Paediatric Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine
• 5^th year Obstetrics and Gynaecology module
• Endocrinology for Part 1 MRCOG – ACE courses lecturer (http://www.acecourses.co.uk/dr-rima-smith/)

Dr Yealin Chung, PhD student. Project title “Optimising the luteal phase”

Rima’s research interests lie in reproductive endocrinology and early pregnancy and specifically in setting up and managing clinical trials.

Reproductive endocrinology:

Rima was the lead researcher and first author for TABLET trial (£1.7million NIHR EME funded trial). She is leading a £150,000 NIHR RfPB grant for an individual patient data meta-analysis investigating levothyroxine in mild thyroid dysfunction to reduce miscarriage. She has submitted for an Academy of Medical Sciences grant (£30,000) for exploring fertility and pregnancy outcomes in women who had preconception thyroid function testing.

Rima has been appointed as lead clinical co-ordinator for LOCI trial (£1.9million NIHR HTA funded) investigating the use of Letrozole vs Clomifene for ovulation induction in women with PCOS.

Rima is the lead author for an RCOG scientific impact paper on thyroid and subfertility and early pregnancy. She is also an invited RCOG Green-top guideline author for Thyroid and pregnancy. 

Research Groups and centres:

Rima is a member of the Birmingham Tommy’s National centre for miscarriage team.

Cochrane Clinical advisor

Committee member for organisation of RCOG National Trainees Conference, Birmingham 2018

Fundraising activities for Ammalife charity (charity which supports global womens health): Kilimanjaro climb, 2mile swim across Lake Windermere.