The Dean's Update | June 2024
As I write my final update for 23-24, I wanted to share how much I’ve enjoyed this year with you! It’s been such a fabulous celebration (link) of ideas, ability and drive (link) to get things done, whether academic (link), sporting, musical, or social, on placement (link) or campus (link).
Indeed, I have been so proud to be able to draw on examples to give prospective students and their parents a tiny taste of the vibrancy of the student community in Liverpool, at our open days this month.
As per several University arranged events, the School doesn’t get to pick when open days are held, and it always feels bittersweet to be preparing to say goodbye to our graduating students, just as we are encouraging new students to follow in their footsteps. One comfort is that in Liverpool, the many connections, that your groups, events and mentors (link) create between the years, weave a thread running through all the years of the course, as you build together the next layer of the professional family, and that these stretch beyond into Foundation, and the exciting careers that follow.
As those of you in Y5 prepare to celebrate and pick up those new lanyards, I really do hope that you will continue to reach behind, to pull your Liverpool friends up the ladder, and that you will stay in touch to encourage all of us, as we continue to work, from either side of the graduation window, towards our shared vision of excellence in patient care.
It is with sadness that I shared previously news of the death of one of our own, known to many of you in Y5, Keiran Brinn (link). The thoughtful and practical response to this, shared by his family, and especially his mother, Claire, has been moving and inspiring. I very much look forward to seeing the ideas that your many societies could pursue next year, for the good of all our students, supported by the fund that is in his name.
Finally, a word of thanks to the staff, both in the School and the NHS, who go the extra mile each week to make the most of each opportunity to teach and inspire. Amongst the many messages of positive feedback and ideas for development (link) you’ve shared throughout the year, there are regular messages of appreciation for our placements in palliative care. How lovely then to see this recognised this year in an OBE for Dr Helen Bonwick (link) who has worked tirelessly to support the quality of student training.
Wishing you all a wonderful summer, ahead of another year of exciting opportunities.
Professor Hazel Scott