Dean's Update | April 2023
Who is your favourite film or cartoon superhero? Today is national ‘superhero day’ and I wonder what your definition of hero is? A fancy outfit? A sporting legend? A brave soldier? Have they superhuman qualities, or are they a hero because they don’t, and their actions are all the more inspiring?
Some of you may have seen the recent BBC ‘Saving Lives’ programme, where some surgeons have a lot of responsibility to perform a very complex procedure and may come across as obvious ‘heroes’. Perhaps if you have watched it you will have also noticed the bed managers and nurses who are behind making such procedures possible and enabling patients to be ready physically and emotionally.
This month, we have had several heroes of our own at work, raising money for charity through marathons and cycles. And those whose day-to-day dedication is behind the delivery of superb teaching or who have the vision to create great opportunities for others.
I have two heroes who constantly inspire me just by their everyday living -my first consultant as a junior doctor, who was a renowned specialist but also a wonderful mentor and later friend, who has inspired me most through his daily devotion to his wife who suffered dementia; and my father, who has inspired me most through his adaptation, with grace and positivity, to his progressive and limiting loss of sight.
I am sure that you also can think of those whose everyday example, or whose going the extra mile to support you, qualifies them for the title of ‘hero’. We may not know when we are someone’s hero, but we can always try to be the person who goes the extra mile for others, be they our flat mate or the patient who needs a hand in the ward. The Spirit of Liverpool Prize is a great opportunity to recognise those who have been a personal hero to you like this.
Very soon we will be united across nations by music and at the heart of its pulse. Music plays such an important part in our student community and our wellbeing. Indeed, it is a real pleasure to hear the piano in Cedar House being played so well by many of you. As we reflect on why Eurovision is in Liverpool and the numerous other war-torn areas across the globe, it is also good to consider how, through the commitment to care that is shown by you every day, we are united with the medical community across the world.