NOT A SOFT OPTION ...
The work is hard, hours long, limits tested but for GEM students it’s all worth it KATIE DUNLEAVY
ALICE FOX
BA MUSIC AND PRE-MEDICINE (GEM Year 4)
TIARNÁN DALY
MA SCIENCE (GEM Year 4)
Drawn to the “small class sizes, accomplished teaching staff and wide array of hospitals for clinical experience”, Dunleavy likes RCSI’s broader view of medicine as a caring profession. “Students have the opportunity to volunteer in developing countries and give back to our own Dublin community.” Involved, via RCSI, with the College of Surgeons of East, Central and South Africa, which helps to train surgeons throughout Africa, she is “grateful to have the opportunity to pursue my interest in global health.”
BA HUMAN GENETICS (GEM Year 1)
“From day one, we are introduced to the concept that medicine is much more than knowing about the science behind disease, but rather requires an appreciation of communication, culture, philosophy and ethics.” Fox’s own broad view of medicine was informed by her experience prior to GEM, which included a period in a leprosy hospital in Cambodia, working as a phlebotomist in a Sydney hospital, and research for which she won many awards. In her spare time, Fox, who is Australian, is studying for an MBA and runs marathons.
GRACE MADIGAN BCL LAW (GEM Year 2) “I was drawn to RCSI by the fact that we start clinical placements from the second semester of first year. In June, I was assigned to the urology and rheumatology teams at University Hospital Waterford. The teams allowed us to scrub into theatre and encouraged us to meet and take histories from all the patients on the ward.” A summer research project at the Rotunda had an impact on Madigan’s career plans. “I learned so much from the two months spent there. I am now considering pursuing obstetrics after college.”
KIRSTEN MCGARRY BSC PHYSIOTHERAPY (GEM Year 2) “I loved RCSI for my primary degree and it really was my only choice for GEM. I wanted to come ‘home’ to RCSI. All of my med friends from RCSI were graduating: I thought, if they can do it, so can I.” For McGarry, the reputation of RCSI, the quality of the lecturers and facilities, the support for students and the early clinical training sets it apart. She also likes the international mix. “I spent time in various countries growing up and enjoy sharing different cultures.” As well as being a motivated medical student, she skied for Ireland at the Winter Olympics in 2006 and 2010.
For Daly, who comes from Co Fermanagh, RCSI provides an opportunity to meet students from all over the world. “This is one of the features that distinguished RCSI, along with teaching by some of the best hospital consultants in Ireland.” A keen Gaelic footballer, Daly plays for the senior team at Derrygonelly Harps GFC (county champions 2015/2016) developing time management skills to cope with his undergraduate programme as well as a rigorous training schedule. NICOLA COLTERJOHN
BSC KINESIOLOGY (GEM Year 1)
“That RCSI is an internationalised school was a huge draw for me. I was interested in studying alongside more mature students with diverse life experiences. A focus on clinical settings with a hands-on learning opportunities also appealed.” Colterjohn, who is Canadian, says the curriculum provides “a balance between pushing me out of my comfort zone and cultivating a constructive learning environment. An emphasis on teamwork and a sense of camaraderie makes me feel part of a family.” Colterjohn balances study with sport – She has played water polo for the Canadian national team. “The experience helped shape who I am today.” ^
Some Firsts of Many
2002
RCSI School of Pharmacy opens
2005
2006
RCSI Institute of Leadership opens, dedicated to developing leaders in healthcare
10
2017
2007
RCSI first to launch Graduate Entry Medicine programme in Ireland
RCSI launches first Nurse Prescribing Programme
RCSI and the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa establish a Collaboration Programme
Ireland’s first integrated, multidisciplinary clinical simulation suite
2010
Graduates of Ireland’s first National Pharmacy Internship Masters Programme conferred