Professor Sir Mark Caulfield was instrumental in setting up a partnership between Queen Mary and the Odessa National Medical University that enabled medical students from Ukraine to gain vital clinical experience in London, allowing them to continue their medical training despite the ongoing conflict.
Professor Sir Mark Caulfield, Vice-Principal (Health) for Queen Mary’s Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, has been made an Honorary Doctor of Odessa National Medical University.
The honorary doctorate recognises Sir Mark’s international research standing, and his role in creating a partnership between Queen Mary, Barts Health NHS Trust, and Odessa National Medical University that gave medical students affected by war in Ukraine the opportunity to continue their medical studies at Queen Mary.
Working with Professor Dennis Ougrin and other senior colleagues with the Faculty, Professor Caulfield helped create a programme to welcome students from Odessa to clinical electives in Trauma, Cardiology, and Obstetrics. One of the students taking part, Yuliya Senkivska, said: “Thanks to Queen Mary I have this opportunity – I have had fantastic practice in the Royal London Hospital. I have gained new knowledge and new skills – I really understand what specialisms I want to get – in surgery, general surgery or gynaecology.” As part of the ongoing partnership with Ukraine, the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry has also held a roundtable discussion on how to address the complex mental health needs of young people, particularly those affected by war, which was attended by Olena Zelenska, First Lady of Ukraine, and key UK stakeholders.
The Chairman of the Academic Council, Academician of the NAMS of Ukraine, Professor Valeriy Zaporozhan, said: “Considering his outstanding achievements in the field of discovering genes related to blood pressure, cardiovascular health, cancer and rare diseases, strengthening public health, active work to improve ties with medical schools in other countries, as well as valuable experience and authority in the global scientific and educational community, I propose to award Professor Sir Mark Caulfield, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Deputy Director for Health at Queen Mary University of London, Director of the NIHR Barts Biomedical Research Centre at Queen Mary University of London the title Honorary Doctor of Odesa National Medical University”.
Professor Sir Mark Caulfield sincerely thanked the Rector of ONMedU, Academician of the NAMS of Ukraine Valeriy Zaporozhan, and members of the Academic Council for the high honour of receiving the title of Honorary Doctor of Odesa National Medical University and expressed the hope that the mutual partnership will reach new heights. Sir Mark said: “It is an honour for us to continue training your doctors, despite the terrible challenges that Ukraine is experiencing. This partnership is certainly beneficial for both sides.”
Nine students have gained invaluable experience at Barts Health NHS Foundation Trust since 2022, and more are expected over the following months. More information about the programme can be found on the Queen Mary website.
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