Adam receives Mackenzie Scholarship to study medicine at UCLan
A Blackburn student is set to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a doctor after winning a scholarship to study medicine at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
Adam Ismail has received the Mackenzie Scholarship to study the five-year Bachelor Medicine Bachelor Surgery (MBBS) degree at UCLan. Jointly funded by UCLan and East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, it is open to applicants from East Lancashire and covers the recipient’s tuition fees for the duration of the course.
Adam, 22, began his studies at UCLan in September after graduating from the University of Bradford earlier this year with a degree in biomedical science.
He said: “I was blown away when I was offered the Mackenzie Scholarship. Since childhood I’ve wanted to be a doctor and when I initially didn’t get the A-Levels I needed for medical school, I chose another route but never gave up on my dream. Now I have been given a second chance and I couldn’t be more focused and motivated.”
"I was blown away when I was offered the Mackenzie Scholarship. Since childhood I’ve wanted to be a doctor and when I initially didn’t get the A-Levels I needed for medical school, I chose another route but never gave up on my dream. Now I have been given a second chance and I couldn’t be more focused and motivated."
— Adam Ismail, Mackenzie Scholarship recipient
The aim of the Mackenzie Scholarship is to provide opportunities for students who come from backgrounds that are under-represented at university to study medicine, as well recruiting and retaining local doctors to NHS employment in areas, such as Lancashire, that struggle to keep hold of healthcare professionals.
Adam, who currently works as a pharmacy dispenser, was the first member of his family to go to university and has received a lot of support from his parents, Sajid and Sunnah Ismail, who say they are “extremely proud of him.”
“I’m Blackburn born and bred” said the former Pleckgate High School and Cardinal Newman College pupil. “I have every intention of serving my community once I am qualified and hopefully making a positive difference to people’s lives. My grandfather, Musa Haldarvi, is well-known in Blackburn for his community work and I want to follow in his footsteps by giving something back.”
"The Trust is delighted to continue working in partnership with UCLan’s Medical School by providing ongoing medical education to their students. I’d like to congratulate Adam on his achievements so far and wish him well for the future."
— Kevin McGee, Chief Executive at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Kevin McGee, Chief Executive at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “ELHT is passionate about supporting our local community in any way we can. One of the greatest gifts we can give is to facilitate the medical training of a local, aspiring doctor. Especially one who then goes on to join the 'best of the best' within our own clinical workforce.
“The Trust is delighted to continue working in partnership with UCLan’s Medical School by providing ongoing medical education to their students. I’d like to congratulate Adam on his achievements so far and wish him well for the future.”
Professor Cathy Jackson, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences at UCLan, added: “The Mackenzie Scholarship offers a helping hand to a student who is passionate about working in medicine and contributing towards healthcare provision in the local area. It’s fantastic to see how driven Adam is and I wish him every success.”