Former Royal Navy medic James receives Olu Orugun prize
A former Royal Navy medic and University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) Physician Associate graduate has received a prestigious award in honour of Professor Olu Orugun* who worked at West Cumberland Hospital and passed away in August 2017.
James Moffatt, who comes from Manchester originally, has received the Olu Orugun prize not just for his commitment to his academic studies but for also for his approach to patients in his care and dedication while on clinical placement, in keeping with the characteristics Olu displayed throughout his career.
During his undergraduate placements at UCLan, James worked in Royal Blackburn Hospital in the Emergency Department A and E department, Royal Blackpool Victoria Hospital on the cardiology ward and on the obstetrics and gynaecology unit at Royal Lancaster Infirmary
For the award, James will receive a £50 voucher and a certificate as recognition of his outstanding work.
Prior to studying at UCLan, James worked as a Medic in the Royal Navy for nine years with deployments overseas in South America and the Falkland Islands, as well as working on disaster relief and humanitarian missions
James is a great example of Professor Orugun’s philosophy which was to encourage the development of a workforce made up of professionals from a variety of clinical backgrounds, helping to address the issues of recruitment and retention of medical staff in Cumbria.
"The area in medicine I enjoyed the most during my placements with UCLan was primary care. I loved the one on one interaction and the relationships I developed with the patients."
Commenting on winning the award James said: “Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to meet Dr Orugun. Before receiving the award, I had read about his achievements and how he was a firm supporter of the Physician Associate role, so it means more to me that the award is named after him, such a caring and compassionate doctor/professor helping the physician associate role grow and develop.
“The area in medicine I enjoyed the most during my placements with UCLan was primary care. I loved the one on one interaction and the relationships I developed with the patients.”
Jane Rutt- Howard, Principal Lecturer at UCLan’s School of Medicine, said: “It has been both a pleasure and honour to have James as part of a great cohort of students. He is going to make an outstanding Physician Associate and will be a notable ambassador for this type of role in the future.
“James was an interesting applicant with relevant and high-level clinical experience from his time in the Navy and through discussions prior to his start, it was clear he had every potential to excel on the course through his passion and knowledge of the programme. We wish him well with his career.”
Since graduating from UCLan, James has secured a job as a Physician Associate with a GP practice in Derbyshire, Horizon Healthcare.
James adds: The team there are very excited to see where the Physician Associate role is going and are very supportive in helping with my development and Physician Associates in general.”
