An unstoppable year for student doctors
Liverpool student doctors have a lot to celebrate this year after scooping top prizes, awards and trophies for their success in academic research, sport tournaments, charity work and more – what a year!
Alongside their studies, our student doctors continue to thrive in areas outside of the curriculum. Student doctor Zesha Saleem has recently spent time researching and writing an academic paper that she’s truly passionate about. Her article ‘Diabetes in the cost-of-living crisis’ earned her a publication in Wiley’s Practical Diabetes Journal.
“As it was my first time writing a proper academic paper, it took us a good few months to get it into shape and ready for consideration. It really helps if your supervisor has had work published before but it was a little stressful as you have to meet the rigorously high standard!”
We’re certain we will hear more from Zesha in the future! Learn more about Zesha's publication.
Maddy Elleby was delighted to be chosen as the winner of the Adult Student of the Year Award by the Association of Colleges – an award that recognises and celebrates outstanding student achievement. Maddy had a difficult start to her medical journey due to a cancer diagnosis, however her experience spurred her on to become a representative of the Teenage Cancer Trust to support others with the disease.
"I think my experience will lend me a greater empathy towards my patients as I understand how overwhelming life can be when you are not well, and how valuable your health is. I want to reflect the incredible care I personally received and pay back my debt to the NHS.”
In September, third-year student Maria Hanif received the Wolfson Foundation Intercalated Scholarship, offering a bursary of £5000 which will support her upcoming intercalated degree. Maria is enrolling on the Clinical Sciences MRes programme with a focus on lupus treatment.
“Patients will be given treatment for their lupus, for example corticosteroids, until a target level of the disease has been reached. ‘Treat to target’ is already being done in the adult population, therefore my task will be to perform analysis from patients’ data to support a clinical trial, allowing this to be implemented in the paediatric population. I'm very excited for my intercalated year as an opportunity to learn new skills and meet other researchers in the field."
Read more about Maria's award.
Year 4 student doctor Daisy Crane also celebrated an intercalation award – the Norton Walford Prize for best student on the course during her intercalating year. Daisy studied a BSc in Human Physiology right here at the University of Liverpool.
Each year, the Norton Walford Prize is awarded to encourage and promote the study of Physiology as an intercalated BSc or MRes within the MBChB programme.
“Through my course I was able to expand and strengthen my pathophysiology knowledge while also learning how to analyse and critique research.
The highlight of my course was conducting a research project into the metabolic changes caused by hypervitaminosis A. I learnt how to write systematic reviews, perform statistical analysis and draw conclusions from primary data.”
In the extra-curricular world, the Liverpool Medics Cricket Team took home first place for a second year in a row at the largest university-level indoor cricket competition. The Indoor National Association of Medical Schools cricket competition took place in December and the team were crowned champions after an intense cup final.
“The feeling of winning was incredible, and it felt great to win the tournament in back-to-back years. I was proud and very happy for all the team members involved.” (Rohan Drawid, Club President)
Well done Liverpool Medics Cricket team!
To top off the academic year so far, we held our annual School of Medicine prize evening to celebrate the hard work and successes of students across all year groups within the 22-23 academic year.
School Prizes are awarded to students who excel in a variety of areas, from clinical assessment knowledge, portfolios and research to embodying the true spirit of what it means to be a medical student at the University of Liverpool.
At the Awards event, the prize-winning students' families and friends joined the Dean of the School of Medicine, Professor Hazel Scott, to celebrate the courage and personal strength that our student doctors demonstrate, particularly in the midst of the continued challenges facing the NHS.
“Whether on placement, at academic conferences, or engaging with a new medical topic, our students have shown dedication, compassion and ability. Their enthusiastic spirit for learning has driven them to excel in their studies and is an inspiration to all of us.”
See the full list of 22-23 School Prize winners.
We love to sing and shout about our students’ achievements as they follow in your auspicious footsteps. Keep an eye on the School news page and follow us at @LivUniMedicine on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more noteworthy accomplishments.