As part of NLCS’ medical enrichment programme, the first Medics and Dentists Conference was launched this year.
The aim of the evening was to provide students and parents with a deeper understanding of the pathways into Medicine and Dentistry, as well as the opportunities and challenges that follow university study. Many ONLs and parents returned to NLCS to speak about their varied careers, offering valuable insights into the developments and challenges in these fields.
In the Medicine breakout rooms, ONL Professor Fiona Karet, Honorary Consultant in Renal Medicine at the University of Cambridge, delivered a fascinating talk on her work with rare and inherited kidney diseases. NLCS also welcomed ONLs Dr Saibhan Bains, Dr Annecy Stevens, and Dr Nishka Patel, who spoke about their early careers in Medicine. Miss Mez Aref-Adib and Dr Benjamin Lamb introduced students to the exciting and highly technical world of robotic surgery, while Dr Pooneh Youssefi shared her experiences as a GP partner of 17 years with a special interest in women’s health.
In the Dentistry breakout sessions, Dr Bindi Shah, co-founder of the Dental Surgery Group, and Dr Deepa Shah, partner at VS Dental Care Centre, offered students and parents an insight into the breadth and diversity of careers in Dentistry.
Mr Powell, Director of Science, provided an overview of the support NLCS offers to aspiring medics and dentists. Year 13 students also played a leading role by running sessions on the interview process and the UCAT entrance examination, which are central to applications.
All the breakout rooms proved to be engaging and informative, enabling students and parents to develop a clearer understanding of the application process and the professions themselves. The evening concluded with a Q&A panel discussion, followed by an exciting opportunity for students to network with the speakers.
Through the first Medics and Dentists Conference, many students have come together to learn about and engage in new ideas, and we hope this has left them motivated for the future.
