'There has been a real sense of solidarity between all the 5th Years'

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Get to know some of the students representing the class of 2020 by reciting the Declaration of Geneva at your graduation ceremony. Meet Chloe Queenan.

Why did you choose to study medicine?

"I have wanted to be a doctor since I started secondary school. I can’t really remember where the idea came from as I don’t have any doctors in my family, but I think I just really wanted a job which encompassed caring for and communicating with lots of different people. I also really enjoyed science at school so becoming a Doctor seemed like the perfect career."

What is a highlight from your time at the School of Medicine? 
 
"My highlight of medical school would have to be our Midcourse ball. It was amazing having nearly the whole year group celebrate making the half way point of our degree with an incredible night at the Isla Gladstone.

Although our Grad Ball has been cancelled, I am excited to mark the end of our journey with our online Graduation and hopefully a proper ceremony at some point in the future." 
 
Were you a member of any societies or sports groups?

"Societies have been a huge part of my time at university. I have held numerous roles on the Liverpool Medical Student’s Society (LMSS) committee. Last year I took up the Officer role of Secretary which was incredibly rewarding. LMSS events have really made my time at uni special, from the socials in freshers week where I met most of my friends, to the numerous balls we hold every year.

Artefacts, the medics performing arts society, has also been a large part of my university experience. Performing in the musical every year with students in every year group is always a highlight. I also have an interest in medical education, and have held different committee positions on the PeerMedics society including President." 
 
How do you feel you have connected to your classmates over the last couple of months in particular? 
 
"Although this wasn't the way we were expecting our time at university to end, working as Sub-F1s has been a really great introduction to our jobs starting in August. There has been a real sense of solidarity between all the 5th years going through it together, especially because our normal lives have changed so much."  
 
What are your plans for after graduation? 
 
"Once we graduate I plan on sticking around Liverpool for a little while, seeing friends and enjoying Liverpool for the last time. I’ll then be returning home to spend some time with my family before I move to Sheffield to start F1 in July."

What would you like to do in the future?

In the future I would love to be a GP. I like the idea of really getting to know my patients and caring for whole families. I also love the variety of general practice.
 
"I am really looking forward to starting training on the Academic Foundation Programme in August. As part of my job I have a 4 month rotation teaching at Sheffield Medical School, and have the opportunity to complete a PGCert in Medical Education. My dream job would to be a GP whilst spending some time every week teaching at a medical school. 
 
I also just wanted to add a bit to the research question: I haven’t had any research published but I have an intercalated Masters Degree in Law, Medicine and Healthcare which I really enjoyed. For my dissertation I researched at length the law surrounding organ donation.
 
I have also had the pleasure of acting as the student host on a new clinical reasoning podcast for the School of Medicine which will be released over the summer."

What advice would you give to yourself as a fresher 5 years ago?
 
"My advice to my fresher-self would be to grab every opportunity that presents itself, and that these will be the best 6 years of your life meeting amazing friends, so enjoy them! I’d also reassure myself that I do actually make it to the end of my medical degree successfully!"

 

Chloe has also completed an intercalated Masters Degree in Law, which she says she thoroughly enjoyed. For her dissertation, she researched at length the law surrounding organ donation. Chloe has also acted as the student host on a new clinical reasoning podcast for the School of Medicine which will be released over the summer.