International Women’s Day celebrates women’s achievements, raises awareness against bias and encourages action for equality.
For International Women’s Day 2021, we asked our medical students to nominate a woman who inspires them. Here’s a selection of women currently inspiring the careers and lives of our medical students.
Dr Mohini Gray, nominated by Vishwani Chauhan and Aishah Qureshi
“Dr Mohini Gray has inspired me since we met during my immunology intercalation, in her capacity as both an excellent clinician and passionate scientist, which are things that I aspire towards in my medical career.
Seeing a woman of colour in her position also makes me feel seen, and we have shared conversations about that experience within medicine. I appreciate Mohini’s candour as a mentor and as a talented woman inspiring other women in science and medicine.
When I later discovered her involvement in equality, diversity, and inclusion activism, it was incredibly validating to see that someone so accomplished is committed to decolonisation work and seriously addressing the BAME attainment gap, that they care about anti-racism work and that it matters. I am grateful for all the work that Mohini puts in to improving education for future generations of doctors and students. It is a pleasure to work with her in EDI-RAG.” Vishwani Chauhan
“I would like to nominate Dr Mohini Gray. I have been inspired by her since our year 4 lectures on rheumatology. Seeing this petite lady passionately explaining the role of B cells in Rheumatoid is a sight I’ll never forget! Getting to know her better through our work in EDIRAG (Edinburgh Race Action Group) and the University’s EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) group has only increased my admiration. Watching her thrive as a physician, a scientist and as an activist makes me hopeful that I can also ‘have it all’.
Having both academic and personal role models in medicine is really important, I’m not sure who said it but it’s true what they say – you can’t be what you can’t see. Mohini’s work ethic and passion for medicine inspires me to become the best physician I can while continuing to advocate things that are important to me as a Brown woman in the medical world! Without Mohini’s work and the wonderful women who came before her I don’t think it would be possible for us to reach the goals we are trying to achieve with EDIRAG and for that I am thankful!“ Aishah Qureshi
Dr Ros Burns nominated by Izzie Dighero
“I would like to nominate my personal tutor, Dr Ros Burns, to highlight her as a woman who has inspired me throughout my 6 years of medical studies.
She has always been there for me. From when I was a fresher, helping me to navigate my seemingly never-ending studies, to final year, where she has supported me in building experience for my own career aspirations. I think she is a stellar example of the potential brilliance of the personal tutor system and what students can gain from this.
Outwith being a great personal tutor, Dr Burns works as a consultant obstetric anaesthetist at the Royal Infirmary, supporting women to control pain during birth and achieve healthy outcomes.” Izzie Dighero
Dr Kim (Anne) Cameron nominated by Izzy Sawyer
“I would like to nominate Kim (Anne) Cameron for the International Womens Day celebrations. I met Kim in 2nd year when she was my PBL facilitator. She was a supportive, encouraging tutor at the time, and since has shown a genuine interest in my studies and life.
We bumped into each other at various Medical Women’s Federation events that allowed us to get back in touch. Whether she knows it or not, it has meant a lot to me that we are still in contact and is testament to the impact role models and mentors have I can remember many her anecdotes on being a GP.” Izzy Sawyer
Dr Jasmin Paris nominated by Juliet Downs
“Jasmin is one of those women who can seemingly do everything… she balances being a vet, elite ultra-runner and mum of two, alongside a PhD in acute myeloid leukaemia. She won the spine race in 2019, as well as having broken many records like the Bob Graham and she went on to win ‘The Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year Award for Inspiration.’ Reading her blog and listening to her talks or interviews, she is down to earth and empowering. She loves what she does and showcases that women can achieve what they put their minds to.” Juliet Downs
Dr Mohini Gray, inspired me as a 15 year old at school. We met in our maths class when she joined from another local school and their loss was my gain. Mohini was always self motivated and ambitious, but compassionate, open and self aware and most of all fun. Because of her modelling at that stage I discovered my own untapped potential and I always said that “I clung onto her coat tails” and against all the evidence to the contrary ended up at medical school too. It would be true to say that she was my inspiration and she showed me the way. I know that she has had to overcome many obstacles to get to this point and that her journey couldn’t fail to inspire, challenge and encourage women of all circumstances to reach for their potential in all ways of life. What an amazing friend, mother, doctor and woman. I still hold her as one of my best ever friends today 40 years after we first met. Well done wonderful lady!