As part of the Cheltenham Education Partnership (CEP), seventeen budding SFC1 medics got the opportunity to attend a one day conference at Cheltenham College. The MDV (Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science) conference was aimed at broadening the students’ understanding of the medical world and to support their upcoming university applications.
Here are some reflections from the day:
After hearing from passionate professionals from diverse backgrounds, it has undoubtedly affirmed our own decisions to pursue Medicine.
The day started with a talk by Mark Pietroni, a senior NHS doctor. After specialising in infectious diseases, he worked in Bangladesh where he gained much skills that were critical in helping him manage COVID-19. By pre-ordering equipment and masks, he ensured that the hospital remained well-supplied, resulting in lower death rates in the area than the national average. His enthusiasm was evident: "Passion is what keeps me in the hospital at 2 a.m." – reminding us that medicine is challenging but success will come with devotion to the field.
Next, we heard from the Cardiff University Medical Admissions Team and a current Medical Student. They provided us with insights from both the university and student perspective which helped us navigate the journey of medical school applications. We were encouraged to start exploring different specialisations and acquiring work experience as it would allow for a more competitive application.
Meanwhile, aspiring vets had a different series that were more correlated to veterinary.
The orthopaedics lecture left a lasting impression. Dr Crowther showed vivid imagery of bones and metal replacements. Orthopaedics combines medicine with engineering, providing a fascinating specialty.
Another lecture we had was from Stevie Robb, who spoke about his experiences as a dentist in the RAF. He has served with the RAF all across the world, including southern Africa, Afghanistan, Germany and Cyprus. He captivated us with tales of brotherhood formed and the benefits of being part of such a community. By demonstrating the role of medicine within military organisations, Robb reinforced the myriad of possibilities a medicine degree can provide us with. This insightful talk opened our eyes to an alternative to the usual pathway of a medic, which many of us have never considered before.
Lastly, we had a suture session led by the guest medical professionals we had met over lunch. We learnt how to do simple interrupted sutures on a pig's trotter, providing us with a taste into the life of a surgeon.
Maddy, Raye and Sophia (SFC1)
On behalf of the SFC1 medics who attended the conference, I would like to extend my thanks to the CEP and John Jones (MDV Lead at Cheltenham College) for giving up their time and inspiring the next generation of medics.
Dr Skinner, Teacher of Biology, US Adviser and Medical Career Adviser
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