My initial reasons for joining the Laidlaw program was to get the funding and structure to complete my summer one research project, to develop as a leader and to have the opportunity to explore health inequity in my second summer. 

Firstly my Summer one research focused on Cerebrovascular reactivity in response to high intensity exercise for patients with T2DM. This project was of great interest to me because it combined my love of sport and exercise with my clinical medicine career. My project allowed me the opportunity to conduct in depth research under the guidance of an experienced mentor without which research is unfeasible at the undergraduate level. I initially believed this was important to help develop my understanding of research methodology and statistical analysis, the project was invaluable for this. However, now thanks to the opportunity I understand the logistical and ethical requirements that also go into a research project especially with participants in the healthcare setting. I hope this will stand me in good stead for any future clinical research I take part in and/or lead as a practicing clinician.

Secondly, as discussed above I thought it crucial as a medical student to improve my leadership skills. I hope in the future to be a senior doctor in charge of both junior doctors and the wider MDT (physio, Ot etc). The current medical school curriculum, I think ignores to a large extent the importance of being a leader. I hoped through my Laidlaw in person training sessions and the ethical leadership module facilitated by the oxford charter project that this gap would be filled. The sessions that had the most impact on me were the communication seminar with the drama school and the Understanding Leadership seminar. Public speaking has always been something I've struggled with, and the Laidlaw programme helped me develop this skill and, in turn, my capacity to lead. The Understanding Leadership seminar pushed me to reflect on my own strengths and weaknesses, and on what I needed to work on to develop both my people and performance skills. The emphasis on maintaining a growth mindset particularly resonated with me.

Finally, in my application for the laidlaw project I spoke about wanting to impact the inequality that exists within healthcare during my LIA. I referenced “Hart’s Law” that states “The availability of good medical care tends to vary inversely with the need for it in the population served”. Although I hoped this would be through a more hands on practical approach, I hope my research with the Centre for Community Health Equity in Chicago can in some small way have an impact on solving the health inequities that are so prevalent within the American Healthcare system.  

After the program I think it will be crucial for me to keep focusing on developing my character as a leader. This is probably the hardest of the three C’s to develop due to it not being something you can necessarily study for, but through continued life experience and reflection I hope to keep furthering my growth, humility and wisdom after completion of this program.