Medicine and Health students recognised at prizes awards

A Medical Sciences student whose campaign helped accelerate a number of changes to improve student safety at night has been awarded a prize, at an awards ceremony that marks students’ achievements in academia and beyond.

The University of Exeter’s Medical Science and Health 8th Prizes and Awards ceremony took place Wednesday February 8th, at St Mellion Golf Club in Cornwall.

The prizes also recognised Medicine student Anna Richards, who created a scheme to recycle medical scrubs by selling old 5th years’ scrubs who were graduating and selling them to current medical students who wanted another pair. She raised £1,400 for Anthony Nolan Trust, while helping being more eco-friendly and limit waste.

A prize also went to Medicine student Emily Jones, whose work with the Resuscitation Council UK’s Restart a Heart campaign helped to recruit 21 universities to take part in the campaign. Across student-led events, 8,421 people were taught CPR and the use of a defibrillator.

The prizes seek to acknowledge some of the brightest student stars among the Medicine, Medical Sciences, Medical Imaging and Neuroscience programmes. Over 120 awards were given, recognising academic achievement as well as extra-curricular activities, which range from making a difference in their communities to fundraising feats.

Among the winners was Medical Sciences student Isabel Burn, winning the Citizenship Prize in recognition of her work which helped to bring about positive change to benefit student safety in Exeter’s nightlife. Isabel started her campaign after experiencing harassment at night-time and it was backed my local MP – Ben Bradshaw. Her work was one of a number of initiatives which brought about accelerated changes at the university, including:

• Offering a night bus service and bystander intervention prevention training.
• Designated safe walking routes across campus with increased lighting.
• Introduced a ‘Safe Zone’ app, co-designed with students, allowing them to raise an immediate alert.
• Continuation of a taxi scheme, enabling cash-strapped students a safe return to their accommodation without paying a fare.

Isabel, now an Exeter graduate, said: “I’m thankful for this award, which recognises the efforts I made to improve student safety at night, and I’m pleased to see that the university has taken first steps. I began my campaign after experiencing harassment and assault myself, amid awareness that misogyny exists on campus, and beyond.

“I researched successful night safety schemes at other universities, and campaigned to establish a similar organisation in Exeter, which received support on a student survey. In York, their NightSafe scheme is low-cost and has been cited as an example of good practice, so I hope work continues to develop a similar organisation at Exeter.

“Students deserve to feel safe at night, and the university needs to continue their work to ensure everyone can get home without harm.”

Oliver Kennett, a medicine student, won the Newquay Health Centre Sporting Achievement Prize for undertaking an epic 990-mile cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats in Scotland – the most northern point in the UK’s mainland. He completed this gruelling feat with two other university friends, raising over £2,000 for Devon Air Ambulance. The three received no outside help, independently overcoming mechanical issues, injuries and severe weather. Oliver hopes to embark on a career in emergency medicine.

Oliver said: “This was a once in a lifetime opportunity I simply couldn’t pass on and Devon Air Ambulance hold a special place in my heart. I’m so grateful to receive this award as an amateur cyclist beforehand. The skills and experience I have gained will stay with me for a lifetime. I hope that the money raised will help Devon Air Ambulance continue their heroic work here in the Southwest.”

Medical student Azizi Shelik-Ali, won the Citizenship Award in founding a multicultural society and the UK’s first national BAME medical conference last year, attended by over 150 people. The conference provides a platform for health professionals and students across the UK to come together, share their experiences, and discuss important issues related to diversity and inclusion in the medical field. Azizi collaborated with his peers: Rida, Danny, Caitlin, Beth and Timothy.

Medical sciences student Andrew Jubane, won the ­­­­Extra Curricular Award for the role he played in designing a mental health literacy course for undergraduates. With his peers, rather than creating a traditional course with grading criteria and assessments, Andrew created a YouTube channel. Today, this channel is a space where students can share their experiences with mental health challenges. The channel features university lecturers and other mental health professionals speaking on what can be best done if someone needs support, pointing them to points of help available.

Professor Ian Fussell, Associate Pro Vice Chancellor Education at the University of Exeter Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, who hosted the event, said: “It's amazing to hear all the incredible feats our students achieve, whether that be a part of their extremely challenging studies or in their own time. They’re a real credit to us and themselves, bringing wide benefits to their communities. We’re hugely proud of them all, and I look forward to all they’ll achieve as dedicated future leaders in the fields of health and wellbeing.”