Former Wyke and Winifred Holtby student, Tom McKenzie is currently completing the fourth year of his Medicine degree at Sheffield University. Whilst at Wyke, Tom was one of the first wave of science students to benefit from the Wyke Pre-medical Programme.Last year, Tom took a year out of his Medicine degree to study an intercalated BSc(Hons) degree in Pre-hospital Medicine at a London university. An intercalated degree, is one extra year on top of a 5-year medical degree. During this time, students officially suspended from medical school to study another undergraduate or postgraduate degree. Reflecting on this experience, Tom said, “It was a truly fantastic year. I’ve learnt lots about medicine, people and teams. Lessons I know I’ll take forward, both in the short and long term. I’d like to thank the incredible clinical teams who I had the privilege of shadowing for most of the year. It remains a big career goal to one day return to the helipad.”Tom is now looking forward to graduating and his intercalated year, together with volunteering for St John’s Ambulance, have focused his future plans. He said, “I’m due to graduate next June. My future aims are to pursue a career in Emergency Medicine (A&E) and also Pre-hospital medicine, involving air ambulance work.”As a former student who has navigated the pathway through medical education, Tom is also keen to help support are current future doctors, dentists and vets. “I’d be very happy to return to College to offer advice and perhaps give a talk to aspirant medics”, said Tom.To keep up to date with Tom’s volunteering and university studies, follow him on Twitter @TomMcK98
