Since its launch four years ago, the Spirit of Liverpool Prize has been awarded to six stand-out students, nominated by their peers for going above and beyond expectations and being a true advocate for the School of Medicine.
Sound like someone you know? Now’s your chance to put them forward for the recognition they deserve with a submission in this year’s School Prizes. Nominations are open via Microsoft Form until Friday 6th June.
Need some further inspiration? Check out our Spirit of Liverpool honour roll to date!
The first students to scoop the prize for their achievements in the 20-21 academic year were Anthonia Adefolaju and Shantanu Kundu.
Anthonia Adefolaju
Anthonia was nominated by Student Doctor Daisy Dwomoh for advocacy, empathy and impact in the development of an inclusive School community that celebrates diversity.
Anthonia played a crucial role in putting together the microaggressions awareness training programme, now a core part of the MBChB programme here at Liverpool, as well as co-founding Liverpool BME Medics Society and acting as a Senior Ambassador for prospective students to the University of Liverpool. She was named as one of Powerful Media’s Top 150 Future Leaders in recognition of her advocacy and ambassadorship initiatives.
Shantanu Kundu
Fellow students Marcus Choi, Arman Nabavieh, Ragavie Kesavan and Lea Assi suggested Shantanu Kundu for the prize for his leadership and entrepreneurship in raising awareness and reducing stigma associated with mental wellbeing.
Shantanu founded the Be Free Campaign, a mental health charity providing tools to help others look after their own mental wellbeing, as well as working with schools, universities and colleges to offer counselling, mental health education provisions and wellbeing programmes.
Shantanu received a Points of Light award from the Prime Minister and Diana Award in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, for his contributions to society.
Rosie Toms
Next up, we had then President of the Wilderness Medicine Society Rosie Toms for her contributions to the student experience both here at Liverpool and nationally.
Rosie was nominated by student Anna Horrocks for her impact on students in younger years through teaching and revision sessions encompassing how important simulation is to medical education.
Alongside this, Rosie also organised Wild Trials - a national wilderness and pre-hospital medicine competition, involving 22 teams from universities across the country and participation from 150 doctors and medical students.
- Liverpool Wilderness Society is still going strong. Follow them on Instagram for all things wilderness and Pre-hospital emergency medicine (PHEM).
Ioan Wardhaugh
For the 22-23 academic year, the Spirit of Liverpool Prize went to Ioan Wardhaugh in celebration of his huge contribution to the student experience, as well as local charities, particularly through his roles in student societies Artefacts and the LMSS.
As LMSS Charity Rep for LMSS, Ioan helped raise a staggering £15,000 for local charities, including cycling 235km from Hull to Liverpool in the Sea2Sea challenge. Ioan was a brilliant role model for students in younger years and to prospective students through ambassadorship work to promote the School to those looking to follow in his footsteps.
- Read Ioan’s reflections on his School journey in his Class of 2023 post
Most recently, Emily Kelly and Emmanuella Adu were awarded Spirit Prizes this past November for their work in the 23-24 academic year.
Emily Kelly
Ellie Marshall nominated Emily for her resilience, innovation and commitment to patient care evidenced by her research project which helps reduce the effects of post-chemotherapy peripheral neuropathy.
Emily is now at Macclesfield District General hospital for her foundation training and is excited to report that the feasibility study for the project has now been completed.
“The idea for a great research project can come from anyone. You don’t have to be a consultant or a senior nurse to recognise a problem that patients face, or to think of a solution to an issue.”
Emmanuella Adu
Emmanuella was nominated by Dr Anna Stickland and students Georgia Armitage, Leah Whittaker, Mia Sudbury, Ashlyn Lam 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.
Emmanuella has made a massive contribution to the student experience through her involvement with the University’s ASCENTS GCSE Science mentoring programme, LivIPL Podcast, the School’s Top Tips series and more.
“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.”
Congratulations again to our Spirit prize recipients. But who will be joining them next? Have your say by nominating someone who is really making the difference this year.
Head to School Prizes for a complete overview of all awards up for grabs and why not give a couple a go!