Dean's Update | October 2022
Change. Does it thrill you? Does it worry you? There can be a lot of it about.
The recent musical chairs in Downing Street have created an added backdrop of change to the more regular changes in the School at this time of year - of beginning new studies, new placements, new teams. And I myself am very much looking forward to working with a new team of student representatives, and to enjoying new events and activities to come – many of which expertly produced by our medical societies.
Change always brings opportunities - to meet new people, discover new things, become someone new. At times though the uncertainty associated with change can feel overwhelming. Much of this month’s publication reflects how we can use the ‘ways of wellbeing’ to make the most of change in our lives.
Connect - our societies are leading the way again post pandemic to provide lots of ways we can work, learn and have fun together and we can all look forward to being at the centre of a unique international connection for the city next year.
Keep Active - our Alumnus John O’Donnell notes that ‘Health is more than the absence of disease’ and the important part sport played in his time at Liverpool.
Take Notice - Antony and Zesha give us great examples of how both noticing someone else’s situation and considering how to make a difference to it, whether for a community or an individual, is very much at the heart of our ethos in Liverpool.
Keep Learning - Meera and Sophie are amongst several Liverpool students obtaining national recognition of their passion for learning.
Give - It has been wonderful to read of the actions of care that have prompted several commendations and School Prizes. I have also greatly enjoyed noting the small ways in which many of you have been helping each other, whether that be officially as mentors, or simply as those who happen to know the better transport links to a placement. I was especially touched by the entries to our Year 1 competition many of which, in addition to making me laugh, crystalised the key value of our role as doctors and future doctors -to make a difference to others.
In joining with those of our colleagues and our new Prime Minister, who have been celebrating Diwali this week, we can likely all benefit from integrating these wellbeing principles into everyday life, so as to ensure we continue to find our own ways for light to overcome life’s inevitable dark patches.