Claudia Chan graduated from the MBChB in 2023. She is currently a Specialised Foundation Year 2 doctor at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee.
Tell us a bit about your time at university. Any particular memories?
One of the highlights of my time at university was the wonderful people I met along the way – both my peers and those I connected with through societies. Being part of the Edinburgh Student Surgical Society and the University Badminton Club was particularly rewarding, as it allowed me to meet a diverse group of people who enriched my university experience.
A standout memory was my medical elective in New York City, through the university’s partnership with Cornell. It was a great way to round off my medical education, giving me the opportunity to work in a new healthcare environment, meet medical students from the States, and share the experience with fellow elective students from Edinburgh living in NYC.
What have you been up to since graduation?
Since graduating, I’ve been working full-time as a junior doctor for almost two years. My rotations have included haematology, respiratory medicine, vascular surgery, an academic rotation, and I am currently in Gastroenterology with Acute Medicine. Each rotation has brought its own challenges and learning opportunities, making the journey so far invaluable.
Outside of medicine, I’ve continued to pursue my love for cooking and have been involved in restaurant pop-ups with Pomelo in Edinburgh, London and next stop – Glasgow!
Tell us a bit about your current role.
Starting as a junior doctor was definitely a steep learning curve, particularly adjusting to the shift work and sleep schedule! The transition from consolidating knowledge at medical school to actually practising medicine felt daunting at first, which is a part of the process, but the learning has been exponential – especially during FY1.
I’m currently working in gastroenterology, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy it. The team is fantastic, and I’ve developed so many practical skills. One of the great aspects of rotating through different specialties is the constant challenge – you feel out of your depth at first, but by the end of the rotation, you will feel like you’ve taken a lot away from it and it’s very rewarding.
What have you enjoyed most career-wise since graduating?
One of the most fulfilling aspects of working as a doctor has been the freedom to take ownership of my learning and career direction. Having the self-initiative to focus on areas that interest me – whether it’s developing my surgical skills or engaging in research – has been a privilege. My SFP academic rotation has been great for this as I was able to dedicate four months to starting my own projects.
Any particularly memorable moments in your career to date?
One of the most significant moments was completing my first skin graft independently under the supervision. This was during my academic rotation in plastic surgery, and it felt like a real turning point – transitioning from student to doctor, applying the surgical skills I had been practising throughout medical school, it was an exciting moment.
Another defining experience was meeting my SSC supervisor and mentor, Mr Wee Leon Lam, who introduced me to congenital hand surgery. Through his guidance, I had the privilege of assisting in many surgeries during medical school and developed my primary research interest, which played a major role in shaping my career aspirations – leading me to apply for core surgical training to continue this pursuit.
What are your aspirations for the future?
My goal is to complete surgical training in London and continue pursuing a career in plastic surgery. I’m particularly interested in reconstructive and congenital hand surgery and hope to contribute to both clinical advancements and research in this field.
I also hope to balance my cooking career and continue to do pop-ups, events or private chef work as it is something that I have developed greatly alongside medicine.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work? Any non-medical aspirations?
Cooking has always been a passion of mine. During medical school, I worked part-time in several restaurants in Edinburgh – most notably with Pomelo. I have worked there since 2021 and been good friends with the owner ever since – it has been a privilege to see it grow into a beloved neighbourhood spot in Marchmont. It focuses on modern Asian cuisine and definitely a must-visit if you haven’t been already!
Hosting dinner parties was also a big part of my social life in Edinburgh, and although working full-time has made it more challenging, I still love bringing people together over food. It’s a great way to stay connected with friends and build new relationships.
Any advice for current medical students?
Enjoy your breaks – there’s a long road ahead! Make time for extracurricular activities and find a balance between medicine and your personal interests. Getting involved in societies and hobbies outside of medicine will make your university experience even more fulfilling and help you build lasting friendships.
