Twin treatment for Yorkshire’s newest medical graduates
Posted on 14 July 2008
Samantha and Louise Queen, 22, are among 99 students due to graduate on 15 July in City Hall, Hull. They have spent five years on one of the UK’s newest medical courses at the cutting-edge Hull York Medical School (HYMS).
Everything about the course has felt new and exciting
Sam Queen
Back in 2003 the twins decided to apply together for the same medical course at the same institution, having spent their schooldays together in Market Weighton near Hull.
Now they join the first cohort of medical students to be trained in the region since the last Victorian schools closed in the mid-19th century — and both plan to stay in Yorkshire for the foundation years of their medical careers.
The exposure to primary care has been a real bonus of this course
Louise Queen
Sam Queen said: "Everything about the course has felt new and exciting, and it’s been great fun. As the first students, we’ve been in a unique position, able to add our own opinions to both our teaching and to our practical experience."
Louise added: "The exposure to primary care has been a real bonus of this course. I’m looking forward to putting the skills I’ve learned into practice."
HYMS was established in 2003 in response to a national need for more doctors. A joint venture between the Universities of Hull and York and the NHS, it is one of Britain’s newest medical schools.
The unique five-year course combines innovative teaching methods with an emphasis on community learning: HYMS students have contact with real patients from the very first week of their course.
HYMS students will graduate together in year groups alternately in Hull and York, and they will hold a degree awarded jointly by the two universities.
Professor Ian Greer, the Dean of HYMS, said: "The graduation of our first cohort of students is an historic event not only in the life of the students themselves, but also in the life of the school.
"In just five years, HYMS has established itself as a vibrant and modern medical school and its quality of medical education is already well-recognised as excellent. We are looking forward to seeing this first group of students graduate, and many more in the future."
Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council, will be awarded an honorary degree as part of the landmark ceremony.
Sir Leszek said: "It is a particular privilege to share this occasion with the first group of students to be graduating in Medicine from the Hull York Medical School. It is a major occasion in the life of all universities when a new stream of students graduate, but in this case particularly so. Having completed their studies they will be embarking on a lifelong career of dedication to helping those in clinical need, through the variety of career options and specialities open to them.
"They stand on an exciting threshold and the foundations laid at HYMS will stand them in excellent stead for the future."
ENDS