Honorary Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Exeter Medical School, Dr Hasnain Dalal launched the brand-new Aspiring Medics programme designed to offer support to girls with career aspirations in the fields of medicine, dentistry and veterinary science.
Nearly forty pupils, parents, staff and medical professionals attended the lecture entitled ‘Medical Research – Why bother?’ to celebrate the start of the initiative’s packed programme of events.
Dr Dalal qualified from the University of Sheffield in 1981 and is the joint lead Investigator on the REACH-HF [Rehabilitation Enablement in Chronic Heart Failure] study. Since 1997 he has conducted various NHS funded research projects in collaboration with patients, clinicians and academics involving heart disease and rehabilitation. Recognised at a national level, Dr Dalal’s work is helping patients to live longer and significantly improve their quality of life.
With a call for clinical research to empower patients, Dr Dalal urged medical professionals and the physicians of the future to focus on people as much as conditions and endeavour to find solutions that work for individuals.
Head of STEM, Mr Jon Dean: “Dr Dalal has undoubtedly made the launch of our Aspiring Medics Programme a resounding success. Lectures like this offer our girls a fantastic opportunity to engage with up-to-the-minute research from experts in their field and perfectly compliments the hands-on workshops and one-to-one mentoring the girls are already receiving.
“Standards for applying to study medicine are incredibly high so we are keen to create an environment where our pupils have the opportunity to gain unique medical experience and get a real feel for what the profession will ask of them. By offering the chance to become part of a medical family of specialists, academics and leading professionals, we aim to inspire and fully prepare our young women to fulfil their dreams of becoming the next generation of medics.”
The coming months certainly look busy for the school’s medical minds. Next week Dr Katharine Stephens, GP, will join the girls for a specialist lecture on humanity in medicine swiftly followed by a Q&A with experienced Veterinary Surgeon Dr Marvin Firth early next month.
The Truro High Aspiring Medics Programme runs a tailored calendar of lectures, workshops, mentoring and one-to-one support from medical experts throughout the year, aiming to best prepare pupils to pursue their career aspirations and gain places on their chosen university courses.
