School Prize winners celebrated
The 2019/20 academic year at Liverpool School Medicine started off as routine as ever, yet swiftly developed into an extraordinary set of circumstances requiring all of our student doctors to navigate countless twists and turns.
On Monday 22nd March, staff, students and family members gathered online to celebrate our winners; student doctors who not only rose to the challenges presented, but surpassed all expectations and achieved excellence in areas such as leadership, innovation and advocacy.
School Dean, Professor Hazel Scott, opened the event with a heartfelt speech commending the winners, and student body as a whole, for the resilience, dedication and commitment demonstrated throughout the pandemic - inviting attendees to see the awards as "beacons of light as we reflect on the past year and look towards the road still ahead of us." Quoting Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, who recently reminded us all:
There is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.
Deputy Director of Studies Dr Iain Young and Director of Assessment Bee Collier shared hosting duties throughout the event, which was punctuated by dance and choir performances by the School’s performing arts society, Artefacts.
The prize evening featured dance and choir performances by Artefacts
One of the first winners to be called was Chloe Short who was awarded the Derby Exhibition Prize for her achievements in the OSCE, LOCAS and summative written exams.
"I am both delighted and honoured to receive this award. I loved every second of my time at the University of Liverpool and will always look back on it with fond memories. It is a prize that I have only been able to achieve with the constant support from some of the very best people including my family, friends and some amazing and wonderful staff within the School, of whom there are too many to name."
It will forever be a reminder of the time spent in a dynamic and engaging environment which I hope I can be part of in the future as an educator.
Chloe Short - Derby Exhibition Prize winner
Gerum Gashaw Gebeyehu, another recent graduate, took home the Reginald and Dora Goodrick Prize for the best performance in the final examinations in Surgery. "Six years flew by - where did the time go? I am grateful to God, my kind parents, my generous School and mentors and my amazing friends without whom none of this would have been possible".
Rowena de Berker picked up the J Hill Abram Prize in Medicine for excellent performance in the final set of clinical examinations. She has an important message for student doctors, "I am really looking forward to becoming a doctor, but during my time at the School of Medicine I've had times of doubt".
I'd like to reassure younger students that it's normal and ok to feel that way; sharing how you're feeling is so often the start to things improving.
Charlotte Hogg was also awarded for her assessment performance, picking up the Owen T Williams Prize for her achievements in a component of the course with a Clinical Skills theme. "I feel very honoured to win the Owen T Williams prize this academic year. It is such a lovely surprise and makes all the hard work worth it. Thank you!"
Left to Right - Prize winners Charlotte Hogg, Rowena de Berker and Gerum Gashaw Gebeyehu
Halfway through proceedings, Professor Hazel Scott shared the powerful stories of two student doctors she was delighted to be honouring with special Dean’s Commendation Awards in recognition of their exceptional actions, making them fantastic advocates and role models of the School.
Rahul Soni was recognised for his quick thinking when he noticed a significant fire in a neighbouring property. Rahul immediately alerted the fire brigade and neighbours in surrounding houses, helping prevent loss of life and averting a very severe incident.
Joe Wood was also commended for jumping to action to help a young man who suffered a cardiac arrest on a train between Chester and Liverpool, performing CPR and caring for the patient along with another bystander until he was able to be airlifted to hospital 90 minutes later.
Left to right - Prize winners Shannon Collings and Sofia Zulueta
Shannon Collings and Sofia Zulueta were both awarded the Norman Capon Prize in Child Health for their performance in Paediatrics.
Shannon: “I wasn’t expecting this but I’m really proud of this achievement, thank you.”
Sofia: “I’m very honoured to receive this award knowing that my hard work has paid off. I’m extremely proud of myself and all my colleagues for supporting each other through this difficult final year."
Selina Pillai received the Reginald and Dora Goodrick Prize for her achievements in written and clinical exams in Medicine.
"Thank you so much to the School of Medicine for this award, it’s an honour to be recognised in this way."
David Sultman was delighted with his award for achieving the highest score on the National Prescribing Exam.
“Thank you for awarding me the J Hill Abram Prize in Pharmacology and General Therapeutics. I very much appreciate this recognition by the School of Medicine.”
Left to right - Prize winners Selina Pillai and David Sultman
George Richardson is currently completing an intercalated Master of Research in Translational Medicine. He took home the Blair Bell Memorial Prize in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
"The last year has been especially stressful for everyone and to have achieved something throughout this has been a really good feeling."
I want to congratulate all the other winners, those who have worked by helping on wards and vaccinating during the pandemic, and everyone about to graduate and start work this coming August!
The evening came to a grand conclusion with the School of Medicine Advocate Award, which recognises students who have gone above and beyond the normal expectations of the programme.
The Dean first celebrated this year’s runner-up Edward Routh who, during the first wave of the pandemic, took on the role of domiciliary phlebotomist at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, providing an essential service to vulnerable patients. Ed received thanks and praise from the Trust commending his dedication and professionalism, as well as his kindness and care for patients during this difficult time.
Professor Hazel Scott proudly announces prize winners at the online gathering
Finally, the Dean announced this year’s winner, James Tattersall, who also played a crucial role during the pandemic as an intensive care nurse. Professor Scott particularly highlighted an incident where James came forward to spontaneously use his training and save the life of one of the School’s own students, who had collapsed due to an out of hospital arrest.
I'm humbled to have been chosen for the School of Medicine Advocate Award as I'm not used to winning prizes. The last prize I won was 1st place in a Blackpool sandcastle building competition in 1996!
“When the pandemic hit, I went back to work as an intensive care nurse. It was hard going but I am incredibly thankful to the staff at both Warrington and Aintree ITU for welcoming me into their teams and being supportive while I worked some of the busiest shifts of my career.
"In intensive care we are used to looking after patients one on one, so it was a challenge being given three critically ill patients to manage at a time. This wouldn't have been possible without the support of our theatre nurse/ODP colleagues as well as redeployed consultants.
While I was working in Stockport, I was looking after an elderly covid patient on ITU and a paediatrician was sent to review him due to shortages - a highly unusual scenario. I'm incredibly flattered to be given this award. None of what I have done this past year could have been achieved without the support of my student doctor and nursing colleagues - so a massive thanks to you all!"
Many congratulations to you James and to all our winners. Look out for information on awards for the 2020/2021 academic year in your student inbox later this year.