Student Spotlights pass the mic to our student doctors, to hear their take on their School experience and shine the light on a particular role, team or pathway through the School of Medicine.
As our Year Five student doctors gear up for graduation and the start of clinical practice this summer, we’re celebrating our rather special Class of 2022 as they share their highlights from their time at the School. Be sure to check out additional memories in Part II (link).
Shannon Collings
Student Doctor Shannon Collings feels ready to step into her foundation doctor role thanks particularly to the variety of acute clinical placements in Year Five, and the intercalated BSc degree she completed in Urgent and Emergency Care.
“A real highlight from my final year was organising the LMSS Masquerade Charity Dinner for 350 people, raising over £2000 for Refugee Women Connect. It was a great event to bring everyone together, especially for students in younger years who hadn’t had the chance to experience our events up until then due to COVID.
The LMSS has played such a huge role in my time at the School, from holding dinners to organising charity events and revision sessions before exams.
I’d encourage everyone to get involved in a society at university, it’s loads of fun, you meet so many amazing people and it’s a great way to do things outside of medicine, which is of course so important for your wellbeing and work-life balance.
Liverpool has been the best university to study Medicine, and I’d recommend the city to anyone considering coming here. Very, very sad to be leaving after the best six years!”
(L-R) Shannon Collings and Lillie Dummer, Class of 2022
Lillie Dummer
Student Doctor Lille Dummer recently picked up the Reginald and Dora Goodrick Prize for excellent performance in clinical assessment in Year Four.
The clinical aspect of studying Medicine has always been my favourite part. It’s why I chose Liverpool, as clinical experience and practice is a priority throughout.
"Of course, clinical medicine has changed enormously since the start of the pandemic. The ‘new normal’ looks very different and I found myself learning how to consult patients virtually or how to examine patients while wearing extensive PPE.
I sat a socially distanced clinical assessment in summer 2021 wearing a mask, apron, safety goggles and gloves, which felt like a very apt way to mark the challenges and adaptations we’ve faced recently. I’m proud of how we were all able to rise to this challenge, and winning the School Prize was a lovely way to celebrate the achievement.
Watching myself grow into the junior doctor role is an exciting (albeit nerve-wracking) feeling!
During my Year Five Emergency Medicine rotation, I saw myself take on more clinical responsibility, being encouraged by the doctors I was working alongside to have confidence and belief in myself to know that the hard work I’ve done has prepared me for this next step.”
Steven Toh
Student Doctor Steven Toh has been a passionate advocate for medical research, was awarded a summer studentship from the Academy of Medical Science’s INSPIRE programme and led the University’s surgical research society.
“I started my first foray into research as a research assistant in Monash University in Malaysia, mainly to earn some spare income and bolster my CV. Fast forward 2.5 years later, I have been elected as the President of the UoL Student Surgical Research Society, secured multiple first-author publications in high-impact journals, disseminated my research findings at national and international conferences, and will soon begin work as a Specialised Foundation Programme doctor.
Being involved in research has opened my eyes to how medical practice is constantly changing to improve clinical outcomes, led to meaningful relationships with my personal mentors and like-minded peers, and taught me how to critically appraise research conducted by others.
I will continue to strive to promote a research-active culture within the University. It is only by constantly learning and improving ourselves that we can become more skilful and empathetic as doctors to serve our patients better.”
(L-R) Steven Toh and Ovin Jayawardena, Class of 2022
Ovin Jayawardena
Student Doctor Ovin Jayawardena counts the benefits (and challenges!) of primary care placements and simulated learning as highlights and what have prepared him best for clinical practice after graduation this July.
“As a student doctor at the University of Liverpool, I have had the opportunity to immerse myself in a vibrant and lively city with incredibly friendly people.
As a medical student, I have benefited from early clinical exposure and a rare yet vital opportunity to experience placements in numerous local primary, secondary and tertiary specialist hospitals to help support our learning.
The added responsibility I was able to take on during the GP placement was very appealing to me and made the placement not only more interesting and enjoyable, but incredibly valuable for my learning.
Although I must admit finding the simulated learning sessions a little nerve-wracking (and I’m sure I may have embarrassed myself a few times during those!) they have been extremely helpful to better prepare us, as future doctors, to be calmer, more collected and focused under challenging circumstances and to thrive in difficult situations.
Although I was lucky to hold a few leadership positions and win the occasional prize, it is the people that I have met, the friends that I have annoyed, and the memories that I have made that have been the best part about university and that I will cherish the most.
Get in touch with mednews@liverpool.ac.uk if you are in Year Five and would like to share your favourite School memories, or would be interested in stepping into the Student Spotlight or nominate a student or group to do so.
Discover more
- Follow our #Classof2022 series on Liverpool School of Medicine’s official Instagram channel (link) for more stories from our graduating cohort.
- Graduating this July? Be sure to book your tickets on the University graduation site (link) by Wednesday 4th May.