For this interview I am delighted to be sharing the company of Catriona Boyd, the President of WAMS. The society’s aim is to Widen Access to Medicine to people from all different backgrounds and ethnicities in order to produce a medical workforce which is as diverse as the patients it serves.
Name: Catriona Boyd
Course: Medicine
Year: 4
How did the society come into existence?
It was started in 2003 by a medical student from a ‘widening participation’ background who thought the medical school intake should be more diverse. Since then, it’s expanded massively in terms of the number of young people we meet and the number of medical students that are involved.
Can you describe WAMS core aims?
Ultimately we want more pupils from state schools and low socio-economic backgrounds to get into medical school and become doctors. This aim comes in two stages. Firstly, it involves raising the aspirations of these pupils so that they think studying medicine is achievable for them. Secondly, WAMS provides such pupils with practical advice about the application process, entrance exams, interviews etc. which they may not have much information or help with, due to their school and background. We want to close the ‘opportunity gap’ and make access to medical school an even playing field.
What is your role with WAMS?
I’ve been in WAMS for 3 years now but for 2017, I am our society’s President. This involves overseeing all the different sectors of our society (events, e-mentoring, school visits, work experience). The WAMS committee is made up of a hard-working group of medical students so that makes my job much easier! I also liaise with external groups such as University of Nottingham and TeachFirst to collaborate on projects that widen university participation.
What first interested you to apply for your role?
I’ve always enjoyed being in WAMS, I think the ethos and the work it does is so important and we really make a difference. I decided to run for President as I had some ideas to expand and improve the society plus I wanted a challenge. The role allows me to utilise my organisational skills and work with lots of people which I really enjoy.
Can you give some advice to students who would want to follow your footsteps in achieving a significant role with WAMS?
Show enthusiasm! WAMS works best when the people working within it really care about the work we do. After that, it’s just like any society- be hard-working, committed and organised.
Can you tell me about any projects that you’re currently working on?
Our society is currently working hard on various projects. We have a successful ementoring scheme running, a work experience week being organised for the summer and monthly events based at the QMC. All our services are free and open to all local Nottinghamshire pupils.
Does your role with WAMS reflect your career goals?
All Consultant roles have a degree of team leading so running a society definitely offers transferable skills.
Thank you very much for taking the time out to conduct this interview. It has certainly given us an insight into how important WAMS is for the University of Nottingham’s medicine scene. I wish you the best of luck for future projects and achieving your aims with the society.
Make sure to check out WAMS at :
Facebook: WAMS Nottingham
Website: www.wamsnottingham.com
Email: president@wamsnottingham.com
Edited by Nicole Swain