From nurturing a passion for paediatric care to spearheading NIHR research projects tackling childhood safeguarding and health inequalities, Mia has grasped the unique opportunities available here at Liverpool with both hands. Now in her fifth and final year of Medicine, she looks back on the life-shaping experience she has had on the course.
Hello, my name is Mia, I am in my final year of medicine, and I am proud to be from Liverpool.
I have always wanted to try and make a difference, even if that means making one person’s life one percent better. Poor health effects everyone, and has affected myself and those close to me, in different ways from time to time.
Medicine is a wonderful way to support a variety of people in a vulnerable and difficult time.
It has opened massive doors for research, career development, and opportunities to work with phenomenal people.
I have loved working with NIHR research teams here at Liverpool and with other universities to tackle childhood safeguarding and health inequalities focussing on preventing care-entry, neglect, and poverty. This has involved opportunities to attend parliament to help make policy change and speaking with young people about their views.
I have developed increasing clinical responsibility during my time on placement, and now in my fifth year I have been given opportunity to really implement skills learnt during the course and have some clinical independence (whilst remaining supported and a part of the team) as I transition from student to doctor.
All that being said, the real highlight of the programme has been meeting my wonderful partner Zak whilst both studying medicine. I have really developed as a person as well as a student doctor and having a good support network and some fun in your free time is so important.
I may be biased, but I think Liverpool has the friendliest communities, great places to eat and a perfect mix of city life with easy access to the wilderness, Formby woods, Burbo bank and Sefton Park are some personal favourites.
Liverpool is also home to a huge range of specialist hospitals and tertiary services. The educational value of this is unbeatable.
Picking a favourite is a tough one. I would have to say, as I hope to pursue it in the future, that my paediatric placements (in third and fourth year) and my elective placement at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital have been brilliant. They have been placements I have felt as though I really belonged, and I have been able to develop a passion for the specialty, being encouraged to learn from and interact with children, young people and their families in encouraging teams.
I have also recently really enjoyed my acute medicine placement at Aintree hospital - an excellent environment to practice history taking, examinations, procedural skills, thinking of differential diagnoses and formulating management plans. I loved the variety and ability to build confidence and competence in this placement.
Throughout our clinical placements we are encouraged to get involved, see patients and think about what we would do next. I think this has helped build and prepare me.
In fifth year, having a little bit more responsibility and applying all the knowledge I have learnt from day 1 in a safe, supportive environment has been key.
I often don’t feel ready, maybe a little unprepared or anxious about FY1, but being pushed to my potential in a safe environment has helped me overcome these feelings (which are completely normal!)
The school has an amazing wellbeing team that have supported me when I have needed it, and I would encourage any current or future students to access this - learning to ask for help and manage your work life balance is key to being a doctor.
If you’re looking into medical schools, come and have a look around! Not just the school, but the whole campus and the city itself. I think for many people, Liverpool provides a great culture of belonging. The hospitals in which placements are held are exceptional and the spiral curriculum is a brilliant way to learn.
Liverpool also offers plenty of societies and clubs outside of medicine. During my time at Liverpool I have had various roles on committees including being the president of the Strength and Conditioning Society and have competed in powerlifting at National level, a sport I started in second year and now is a massive part of my life.
What would I tell first year me? My first-year self was pretty scared! I do not come from a background that is typically associated with a medical degree, although widening participation efforts are amazing and there is hope for this to change. I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to establish a work life balance, make time to play sport or go shopping or just to chill at home. If you cannot look after yourself, how are you going to look after your future patients? Do not compare yourself to others, comparison is the thief of joy. I promise you will find your people and make loads of special memories!
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Mia’s story is especially inspirational as we mark National Care Leavers' Month and reflect on the additional barriers and challenges care-experienced students may experience reaching and settling into higher education. The University of Liverpool is proud to have welcome more than 100 care experienced students this academic year (the highest in its history) thanks to the excellent work of our Widening Participation and Outreach Team who support students like Mia to thrive in their studies – many of whom go on to work alongside team to offer the same help to young people looking to follow in their footsteps. Head to Widening Participation and Outreach to learn more about the life-changing initiatives in place at Liverpool.