Student Spotlight: Emmanuella Adu

Student Spotlights pass the mic to our student doctors, to hear their take on their School experience and shine a light on a particular role, team or pathway through the School of Medicine.

Student Doctor Emmanuella Adu is currently intercalating in MSc Critical Care and Perioperative Medicine at Queen Mary’s University London. She was awarded the Spirit of Liverpool School of Medicine Prize for 23-24 for her proactivity, commitment and care in supporting her peers, students in other healthcare disciplines and potential future student doctors to achieve their academic goals

“My passion lies in outreach activities and empowerment projects. Over the last 3 years, I have taken steps to ensure that under-represented voices are heard, and that knowledge is now more accessible than ever.”

What inspired you to pursue a career in Medicine?

As a Christian, I believe that my job is a vocation - one that should provide a service for the betterment of those around me. I chose a career in medicine partly due to my environment and experiences. I come from a family of various healthcare professionals, ranging from nurses, healthcare assistants and occupational therapists.
However, there were no doctors in my family. Medicine, for a myriad of reasons, appeared to be unobtainable to a small family such as my own. The journey is long, and requires pure commitment and determination. Medicine also requires excellent academic prowess, and an eagerness to constantly learn more in such a dynamic field.

As a little girl, I was always impressed when I spoke to doctors, as their words filled with diagnoses and management plans seemed to be infused with a confidence that can only be earned through hard work and determination. From then on, I aspired to break the barrier of fear and doubt, and aim for a career that was foreign in my family.

I have always been intrigued by the intricacy of the human body, and how each unique organ provides a function that fits into the bigger picture of who we are.

Furthermore, medicine as a vocation is the greatest act of service, devoting hours of sacrifice all in the hopes that your patients leave your care better than they entered. From researching the importance of genome specific personalised medicine, to screening programmes aimed to identify cancers early and reduce mortality rates, the impact that this career can have on society is astonishing.

What was it that brought you to Liverpool?

I am originally from Edmonton in North London, however my family is from Ghana. When choosing my medical school, I prioritised 3 things: pastoral care, research opportunities and community.

Many student forums emphasised the excellent pastoral care present at the University of Liverpool. Student-led activities and society events were deemed to be unrivalled in the UK.

Lecturers and academic leads actively listen to feedback (You said, We listened), and indeed my voice was heard on my suggestions around inter-professional learning in the curriculum.

Accessible mental health support is available when needed. I have personally benefited from the wellbeing sessions held in Cedar House, such as bringing in puppies to spend a relaxing afternoon.

Liverpool has lived up to my expectations and has exceeded them in many ways.

Finally, as a football family, my parents support Liverpool FC, so this gives them an excuse to visit me and watch a match occasionally. A little bonus if you ask them!

What memories stand out from the start of the programme?

My joy can be expressed as two separate events- the day I was offered a conditional offer and A level results day.

I remember 25th March 2021 clearly. After a long and COVID filled winter, and a challenging Year 13 through lockdown, my self-confidence was at an all-time low. Therefore, when I received my offer letter at 5.17pm on a random Thursday, I ran down the stairs to tell my dad with the first smile on my face in months. Seeing my dad cry for the first time was a core moment for me.

It only takes one “yes” for your life to be transformed. It was the greatest day of my life, and my heart was truly full. At that moment, a flame of determination and self- belief was ignited, one that still burns strongly today. It felt like the sky was blue again, and that I could finally raise my eyes off the ground after walking with my head down for months.

Now, I walk with my head held high, knowing that I have broken the barrier that I - and many people from my background - never thought was possible.

I was fortunate enough to be on holiday in Ghana when my A Level results confirmed my place in Liverpool School of Medicine. The high-noon sun was beating on my skin, and the warmth of its rays felt like a welcoming embrace into a new chapter of my life.

I was in the village, surrounded by over 30 family members. This felt like a win for them, and the moment we had all been waiting for - the first doctor in my family. I felt unstoppable, and in moments of doubt and difficulty, I often reflect on this time in my life.

What have been your biggest highlights on the programme so far?

I have been blessed to have had an incredible 3 years in Liverpool. I really enjoyed third year, the variety of clinical placements made me think about my future in more practical terms. I am interested in pursuing a surgical career so I thoroughly enjoyed my surgical rotations but, surprisingly, my favourite rotations were my Trauma and Orthopaedic blocks, as I was able to assist in some surgeries.

Scrubbing in, handling surgical equipment, testing my radiology interpretations and suturing were all skills that I learned and am excited to develop.

All the LMSS and other society teaching sessions have been a constant support in my journey. However, my biggest highlights are surprisingly non-academic activities. The friends I made along the way have made this whole experience worthwhile. I vividly remember driving to Chester with my placement group, and how we would be on the motorway in time to watch the sunrise. It was in those moments that we bonded, and we were able to share each other’s fears, hopes and dreams. We also took the opportunity to revise in the car, sometimes listening to the Zero To Final’s Podcast.

This is what I am proud of - proud to be surrounded by people who push you to be 1% better each day. I can confidently say that as a School, each student strives to help those around them. This is what fuels me to do the work that I have started.

 

You were nominated for the 23-24 Spirit of Liverpool Prize by a number of your peers. What does the award mean to you?

I am deeply honoured and moved to have been chosen as the 23-24 Spirit of Liverpool Prize winner, as I never would have imagined that my efforts to uplift others would be recognised in this way! Firstly, I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who voted for me, and believed that my vision for a more united and valued healthcare force is important.

Last year in particular, I was thinking about ways to uplift others, especially as being in the middle of my medical journey, I had more space to think about life ahead of me as well as people starting this journey behind me. I became more self aware, and I wanted to prepare myself to be the best junior doctor I can be- not just someone who has an excellent assessment score, but is well rounded, respectful and empathetic.

Every year, we are asked to complete a reflection as part of the Good Doctor module, and I took the opportunity to reflect on how I can be the type of Doctor I wrote about.

I realised that to be a great leader, I need to be a good listener. I also need to understand how to utilise the support around me to the best of my ability- namely other members of the multi-disciplinary team.

Furthermore, a great leader is inspiring and leads by example. This became my focus during my time on the ASCENTS 121 Mentoring programme, as I wanted to empower students from low GCSE attaining schools that anything is possible with self-belief and support.

Therefore, this prize isn’t for me, but celebrates the importance of going above and beyond to recognise the importance of teamwork, acknowledging forgotten voices, and being role models even when you think no one is watching.

What motivated you to get involved in these activities and how did you find out about them?

During one of our workshops in second year, we were discussing the importance of communication skills highlighted in Crisis Resource Management, such as close loop communication. A segment appeared in which nurses were expressing their frustration that despite being qualified and experienced in their roles, they sometimes feel overshadowed and ignored by other doctors.

This sentiment has been shared in the past, and work is being done to flatten out the apparent 'hierarchy' so that everyone feels valued and respected, however in small pockets across the UK, this is still a concern. In terms of patient safety, which is at the centre of everything we do, this can have profound effects, increasing the risk of critical mistakes occurring.

Therefore, I emailed my Year Lead (Dr Anna Stickland at the time) about how to tackle this issue from the ground up. My vision was to help medical students see the value of their allied healthcare professionals and understand how they work before we are Foundation doctors. This is partially addressed through our placement DOPS requiring us to spend time with a member of the MDT, but time is limited.

The LivIPL Podcast was born as a joint venture between the University of Liverpool and John Moores University. I am grateful that when the opportunity to join the podcast and pitch my idea arose, Dr Stickland was swift to get me involved. This echoes my point about determination and community-

Never be afraid to vocalise your opinions on how things can be improved, as there will always be people willing to listen.

The ASCENTS 121 Mentoring Programme is conducted by the National Centre for Social Research, and aims to support students from schools with low GCSE attainment. These students are often in classes in which 1-to-1 support isn't available, and they can feel neglected in the classroom. These students are often misunderstood and aren't given the same support as other ‘high achieving; students. This fuels the vicious cycle and prevents them from trying in school and acquiring a good education.

The ASCENTs programme was originally offered to students studying STEM subjects at university to participate as mentors, however when I heard about it from my STEM friends, I was moved to get involved. I have felt first-hand the importance of a supportive family and school system, as these words of encouragement have helped me remain focused and determined when the journey became tough. I wanted to get involved as I empathised with the students and wanted to be a role model to them. An email was tentatively sent and I was delighted to be offered a place on the programme.

My third year of medical school became a balancing act between placement, podcast recordings and weekly mentoring at schools. Despite how tight my schedule was, I found fulfilment in seeing my mentee every week. I worked hard to create a judgement-free environment where we discussed a career in medicine and healthcare, to which she lamented that she didn't feel “smart” enough to be a paramedic (which she was interested in).

Through words of encouragement and support, I watched her flourish into a confident student who is considering pursuing a career she thought was previously unobtainable.

I felt satisfied that I had helped at least one person strive to be ground-breaking, and I endeavour to continue to do so in my various fields of work.

My face may also be familiar to some from the School’s Instagram reels. When I joined the medical school, I didn’t know anyone from my hometown who studied in Liverpool, nor did I know anyone in the year above. I knew that older students often support younger students by sharing notes and resources, but I felt like the circle of knowledge was far from me.

Therefore, I asked if we could use the social media platform to create a “Top Tips” series, so that older students can give advice on how to make the most of each academic year. This way, the knowledge is free and accessible by reaching as many students as possible through a popular medium. Now, the Instagram page has annual Top Tips posts, featuring students from across the school. I am happy to see what other students get up to, and it helps us all feel connected and better understood.

The common theme is that these opportunities were largely self-led, with a genuine curiosity to make the world around me a better place. I thank all the innovative projects that exist to try and widen accessibility, give space for important conversations to be held, and to inspire the next generation.

What have you enjoyed the most? Are there any obstacles or challenges that you have had to overcome?

I have enjoyed the freedom that Liverpool offers you, including the freedom to have a great work-life balance. There are plenty of medical societies that keep you connected with other medics but also offer an outlet. A good example is Artefacts- a unique society that brings together music, theatre and art. While I am intercalating, I have noticed that Liverpool truly is a diverse university, and there is a society that tailors to your special interests.

The main obstacle that I’ve had to face is balancing everything that I do! From waking up early to go to the gym, to rushing home for a couple hours of tutoring, my time management has been pushed to the limits! However, this has given me a taste of what my future career will be like, which I am grateful for.

What advice would you have to a student with similar interests and objectives?

My advice would be to push past what you think your limits are. The ideas you have, the things you think need to change to make the world a better place - all of these are intrinsic to being a good human being. Therefore, they must be heard.

The road will be long and at times difficult, but if you believe in your vision, then try!

I was told “you never know if you are good enough if you never get tested” and this has pushed me to new heights. I never knew I could balance so much until I tried. I never knew that suggesting an addition to the curriculum would be acknowledged until I tried. Whatever your passion is, as long as you try your best, your efforts will be rewarded someday. Finally, do not be afraid to send an email! Reach out however you can, your voice matters.

What are you most looking forward to this academic year/future years?

A very difficult question to answer, as I have so many things I want to do! I would like to spend time exploring all my specialty interests, namely surgery, and intensive care medicine by attending conferences, interviewing doctors in their various stages of training, and gaining more exposure in the fields.

I know that I want to do more work in education, in the form of mentoring and supporting aspiring medics.

This is why I have recently joined The Aspiring Medics Support Community (TAMS), aiming to participate in events for aspiring medics and mentorship. I am looking forward to working with like-minded individuals both clinically and academically - anything to keep me busy!

What would you say to your first-year self?

I would start by saying that I am enough. For years, I have wondered if I am capable of all the things I want to do. Will people care to listen to me? Will I help at least one person somewhere? Can I use my skills for good? The answer is yes, and I would like my younger self to be proud of who I am today. I would like to remind myself that being a hard worker pays dividends - not just practically but mentally. I would say that being authentically me builds a strong character, one that is used to uplift those around me. Finally, I would say “well done, you are living your dreams”.

Discover more

• Check out the award-winning, multidisciplinary podcast LivIPL that explores the world of inter-professional learning and take a look at ASCENTS GCSE Science Mentoring - both of which helped earn Emmanuella her prize for 23-24.
• Are you as passionate as Emmanuella about inclusivity? Why not get involved in the University’s Widening Participation schemes or join the School’s Student-Staff EDI Network. Contact Prof Taz Goddard-Fuller at Taz.Goddard-Fuller@liverpool.ac.uk to get involved.
• Get in touch with mednews@liverpool.ac.uk if you are interested in stepping into the Student Spotlight or would like to nominate a student or group to do so.