About Lara

Lara is a dedicated clinical educator and medical herbalist. Since 2008, she has been actively involved in the field of collaborative medicine, and her enthusiasm for teaching and supporting both educators and students has only intensified over the years.

Educational Background & Achievements

Lara earned her Postgraduate Diploma in 2017 and her MSc in Clinical Education in 2019 from the National University of Galway (now known as the University of Galway), which further fueled her passion for education. She has contributed to the teaching community through:

  • Public Speaking: Engaging with audiences at workshops and lectures.
  • Clinical Training: Guiding students in both private practices and student clinics.
  • Tutor Training: Providing training for clinical educators.

Professional Experience

Lara has an active clinical practice and has worked alongside Dr. Dílis Clare at the Dr. Clare Clinic and Apothecary on Sea Road in Galway, Ireland, since 2014. Additionally, she has been involved with Heartwood, an introductory and professional-level herbal medicine course, since 2018.

Passion for Education

Lara’s passion for education has always been a driving force in her life. Having faced various learning struggles during her earlier education, she later achieved strong academic results. This journey allowed her to explore methods for effective learning and develop a fascination with the transformative power of education.

Through the years, this passion has only intensified, leading her to where she is today: offering support for both teachers and learners, especially in clinical education settings. Lara strives to create safe learning environments where:

  • New ideas can be explored without fear.
  • Questions can be asked freely.
  • Learning can flourish, and individuals can discover their strengths, build confidence, and connect with their inner capabilities.

A Personal Note from Lara

"I experienced a variety of struggles in learning during my primary and secondary school education. It just did not come easily to me, and I had to work hard for it. This challenge led to a spiral of losing confidence in my ability to learn, which made me care less, further affecting my grades.

What changed for me was studying floristry at the horticultural college in Iceland. Suddenly, my grades were consistently at the higher end of the scale, and my confidence grew. I realized that hands-on, kinesthetic learning suited me better than just reading textbooks. It was also during this period that I discovered a keen interest in the medicinal properties of plants, which eventually led me to study Herbal Medicine at the University of Westminster in London.

Since then, my thirst for learning has only increased, and my love for teaching has grown stronger. I am fascinated by different learning and teaching styles and exploring methods for effective education overall. Learning and teaching are intertwined; you cannot have one without the other. My hope is to assist those who long to share their knowledge but may lack the know-how or confidence, as well as to support learners in discovering their abilities and gaining the confidence to achieve their goals."