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Please take a look at the Biographies of some of this years speakers….
Dr. Ekins:
Dr Steph Ekins graduated from Medical School in 2017 and is now working as a Paediatric Doctor in the South of England. Alongside her work in the NHS, she also helps Medicine applicants get into Medical School by sharing advice, reviewing personal statements, and conducting mock interviews.
In her spare time, she volunteers as a Doctor within St John Ambulance. She also enjoys running, baking and anything creative.
Dr. Kumbay:
Dr Kumbay graduated from KCL in 2018 after which she completed her Foundation Training in the East of England deanery including an F2 job in O&G. She is currently a Junior Clinical Fellow in O&G at a busy tertiary centre in London.
Within O&G, her interests lie in Early pregnancy, Maternal medicine and Fetal medicine. As part of her O&G elective at the Fetal Medicine Unit at St George’s, she was a contributing author to a systematic review looking at management of selective growth restriction in monochorionic twins.
Dr Kumbay is also passionate about medical education and has taught medical students both locally and at a national level. She is active on Instagram as @aspiringobgyn where she posts a lot of medical education content related to medicine, surgery and O&G. Here, she also documents her journey into O&G training.
Alice Irving:
Hello, I’m Alice – a 2nd Year medical student at the University of Manchester. Originally from Peterborough, I applied for Medicine in 2018 and received offers from all 4 of my university choices. I chose University of Manchester and (after an emotional results day) took a foundation year with University of Manchester after my A-levels to prepare me for medical school.
So far in my medical school career I have directed a pantomime, won a cookie decorating competition and featured in sketch comedy shows. Who said medicine was all work and no play?
Madeleine Truscott:
Hi, I am a graduate who had an unconventional entry into medicine! I graduated in Law in 2016 and continued to work in this field for three years. I had always been very interested in healthcare, however, did not take any science A levels. It wasn’t until I worked as an emergency theatres support worker, that I realised Medicine was for me. Getting into medical school with a non-science degree, and no science A levels is not easy, but there are ways around it. I am always very happy to help people understand that there isn’t just one route into medicine. Funding a second degree can also be challenging and I had to delay starting medical school for that reason but again, there are ways around it. In my free time I volunteer with St John’s Ambulance at a regional level, enjoy road cycling and walks with my dog!
Charlotte Buttercase:
Hi everybody! My name’s Charlotte, and I’m in my first year of medical school at the University of Manchester.
I’m so excited to be speaking to all of you, and help you on your first steps towards becoming a doctor. I had my share of rejections in the process, but I couldn’t be happier with where I’ve ended up. Passionate about improving mental health services, I’ve had the chance to be interviewed on the BBC, and I volunteer for a free, nationwide widening participation scheme, In2MedSchool, that can offer you 1-to-1 mentoring through every stage of medical school, from anyone from a first year medical student to a consultant level doctor!
My down time back in the day was playing the piano, playing hockey, and helping teach ballet classes, but now in these new uncertain times, I’ve come to really enjoy walks with audio books, and spending wayyyy too long baking/ cooking what are actually, very simple dishes.
Emma Bailey:
My name is Emma, and I’m currently doing my Intercalated Degree at the University of Glasgow Medical School. I’m delighted to be speaking at Med-U-Cate 2021!
Since starting at medical school, I have had a keen interest in supporting aspiring medical students in their decision to apply to medicine. The application process can be incredibly daunting, and I work with a number of different outreach programmes that aim to make this process a little easier. Coming from a high school with low progression to higher education, and studying whilst managing a chronic illness, has highlighted some of the additional barriers that both applicants and medical students face. I work with widening participation groups, both within Glasgow and as part of a collaboration network across Scotland, with the aim of breaking down these barriers. More recently, in my role as local representative for the Widening Participation Medics Network, I have also been working with groups on a national level.
Craig Liddell:
Hi, I’m Craig and I’m a 5th year medical student at Edinburgh University. I’m originally from a town called Livingston just outside of Edinburgh and I studied a BSc in Immunology at Edinburgh before doing medicine as I didn’t get accepted to medicine as a school leaver. I am the first person in my family to go to university and live in a relatively deprived area.
I am the regional representative for the Widening Participation Medics Network (WPMN) in Scotland and have done a lot of WP work with organisations like REACH in Scotland and the SMF in England. I am very passionate about ensuring that everyone regardless of background has the chance to reach their full potential both when applying to medicine and beyond in their medical careers.
I am most interested in paediatrics, psychiatry and general practice. In my spare time I enjoy running, swimming, travelling and reading.
Leah Brooks:
My name is Leah and I am a third year medic at Sheffield. Being the first from my family to apply to university was intimidating, and I remember feeling clueless about the medical school application process. With a lot of research, I was able to receive offers from all the medical schools I applied to. Applying through a widening participation programme I did feel a sense of imposter syndrome, triggered by my anxiety. However, I used this as fuel to to help future medical students to show them it is more than possible to be a successful WP student! I have mentored several students all of whom are now student doctors. I run medical workshops with sixth form students and write blogs as a content creator and rep for WPMN. I am passionate about helping others who need the confidence boost to realise their own potential.
Clarissa Hemmingsen:
Clarissa is a 34 year old Final Year medical student at the University of Manchester, and keen future GP with special interests in social responsibility, deprivation medicine and palliative care.
Originally from the Isle of Man, Clarissa has a previous degree in International Relations, and Masters degrees in Intelligence & International Security and Psychology. Whilst at Manchester she was Chair of the award-winning Manchester Global Health Society for three years, and worked and published in deprivation health. Clarissa also has interests in widening participation into medicine and entry from non-traditional backgrounds. She is also a keen medtweeter!
