Student Prizegiving 2025

Research Awards

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Prizewinners

Research Awards

York Medical Society elective travel bursaries

Mahsa Mirzayee

Sarah Fergusson

Charlotte Collin

Mollie Merrifield

Kojo Dankwa

Dorothy Robson Prizes

These prizes have been made possible by the kind donation from Dr Peter Smith in memory of his wife, Dorothy Robson. The awards encourage students in the study and understanding of palliative medicine in order to help future patients have access to excellent symptom control.

Essay

First Prize

Isobel O'Neill

I am very grateful to have received this award. My SSIP explored the importance of measuring global palliative care development and whether current tools are adequate. I'd like to thank Dr Joseph Clark for his support and guidance and for encouraging me to explore deeper into an area that I discovered really interested me. This project has taught me the value of curiosity and taking a little bit of extra time to delve into an area you find interesting. I am delighted to have received recognition for the work I put into my SSIP.

Second Prize

Madeleine Steevenson

Melanie Thorpe

Third Prize

Alfie Bill

Receiving this award has been fantastic! I really enjoyed my time researching and reflecting on palliative care and how we can make it more equal in access. The skills and knowledge I have gained will help in my future practice.

Published Paper

Susanne de Wolf

Receiving this award is a great honour and a recognition of my commitment to improving person-centred care for people with dementia. The paper for which I won the prize presents important results on the cultural adaptation of the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale for Dementia (IPOS-Dem), equipping generalist nurses with a person-centred tool to identify holistic symptoms and concerns. This publication was the first from my PhD and laid the foundation for subsequent work aimed at enhancing palliative care for people with dementia in the community. Sincere thank you to Dr Smith for donating this prize in memory of his wife. Thank you to the nurses and relatives for participating in this study and to my supervisors for their guidance.

Paper/Abstract

Donna Wakefield

I am honoured to win The Dorothy Robson Prize for Palliative Medicine 2025. My PhD research focuses on inequalities in palliative care and abstract "Is there an inverse palliative care law? Socio-economic inequalities in access, receipt and experience of palliative care for people with advanced lung: A mixed methods systematic review" was accepted for oral presentation at the World Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care 2025 in Finland. I am delighted that this abstract has now won 1st prize, to further raise awareness of inequalities in access to palliative care.

Thank you to my PhD supervisors without your support this work would not be possible, and with thanks to the NIHR for funding my Doctoral Fellowship.

The Helen Gillies Essay Prize in Autoimmune Disease

Helen Gillies studied French and Business Studies at the University of Hull and graduated in 2000. In 1994 aged 16, she was diagnosed with Lupus. Helen struggled with the disease during her time at the University, but still successfully graduated with 2.1. In 2006, Helen sadly passed away aged just 27. Helen’s family have generously financed this gift to the University and the Medical School, so that Helen’s fellow students may learn more about the disease that affected her.

Subham Roy

Receiving the Helen Gillies Prize in Autoimmune Disease is a true honour and a meaningful milestone in my academic journey. This project has deepened my understanding of autoimmune conditions and strengthened my commitment to advancing knowledge and awareness in this field. This experience has instilled me with indispensable skills to support me in future healthcare practice. I am sincerely grateful for the support and encouragement from my mentors, family and peers, which has inspired me to continue learning and contributing to research that can make a difference in people's lives. This project was truly an enjoyable and enriching experience!