03 August 2010
Future doctors inspired by medical summer school
Young people from across the region took part in a fun-filled summer school at the University of Sheffield last week (26-29 July 2010) aimed at raising their aspirations to become doctors of the future.
55 Year 12 pupils from South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire and Lincolnshire, took part in the Sheffield Outreach and Access to Medicine (SOAMS) summer school, which gave them an insight into a career in medicine and life at university.
The summer school provided a series of activities designed to introduce the students to the medical profession including clinical skills practice, mock interviews, clinical placements in hospitals and learning about the key ethical debates in the field. The visit was also a chance for the pupils to get a real taste of university life by staying in accommodation at the Endcliffe Village and taking part in university style lectures and seminars on campus.
They were also supported throughout the week by current medical students at the University, who were on hand to answer questions about the degree course and life at university, as well as give support to the pupils when required.
The end of the week saw the pupils being presented with certificates by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Keith Burnett.
James Wilcockson, 17, from Shelley College, said: "The SOAMS summer school of 2010 provided me with an exciting and exclusive insight into the life of a medical student. Every session was both extremely beneficial and enjoyable; furthermore I cannot recall a single dull moment throughout the entire trip. My personal highlight had to be the MTU anatomy masterclass as this session really did help to further increase my desire to study medicine. As a result of attending the SOAMS summer school, I now feel even more determined to study medicine at the University of Sheffield and complete my ultimate goal of becoming a doctor."
John Barker, a current 3rd Year student from the School of Medicine at the University, said: "The recent SOAMS summer school was the first one in which I have participated, and I enjoyed it tremendously. I am a mature student studying medicine as a second degree, and am the only member of my family to have attended university. Because of this I really wanted to get involved in something that encourages young people to think about Higher Education in general, and medicine as a career in particular. The SOAMS project does just this, and I have loved being able to pass on some of my experience to encourage young people from similar backgrounds to mine to think about becoming doctors." Notes for Editors: The SOAMS scheme is organised by the University´s Outreach and Access Section which organises similar schemes and events throughout the region in order to develop pupils´ interests in going to university as part of its commitment to widen participation in higher education.
For further information please contact: Lauren Anderson, Media Relations Officer, on 0114 2221046 or email l.h.anderson@sheffield.ac.uk
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