Meet Ariana, Jake, Isla, Simi and Sophie- Five students. Five different journeys. One alternative route into a future in healthcare.

In this special episode of the LivIPL Podcast, we meet five students studying on the University of Liverpool’s bespoke Foundation to Health Professions Programme, exploring their journeys towards careers in Medicine and Dentistry.

The University of Liverpool’s Foundation programme is designed to open doors for students who may not have followed the traditional route into higher education. Entry is based on GCSE qualifications, with the Foundation Year delivered at Carmel College in St Helens, the University’s partner college, before successful students progress directly into Year 1 of their chosen degree.

The programme provides a pathway into Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Dental Therapy, Pharmacy, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Orthoptics, Therapeutic Radiography and Oncology and Diagnostic Radiography and the students who take this route are anything but defined by a conventional academic journey.

Across the programme’s history, students have arrived from careers and backgrounds including a taxi driver, dancer, working in hospitality, paralegal, shop assistant and yoga instructor to name a few. Some made different choices at 18. Others simply didn't have the opportunities or qualifications needed to access their chosen profession through the traditional route. Some were even told at school that they would never amount to anything.Yet their stories ended very differently, with students progressing through university, graduating with first-class degrees and entering highly skilled and rewarding health professions.

In this episode, our five guests share what brought them to the Foundation programme, the challenges of returning to education, their experiences at Carmel College and the University of Liverpool and what it means to discover that your future doesn't have to be decided at 18.

Because whether your ambition is to become a doctor, dentist, vet, pharmacist, nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, dental therapist, orthoptist, radiographer (diagnostic or therapeutic!)- it’s not too late to find your route there.

Find out more about the University of Liverpool’s Foundation programmes here: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/undergraduate/applying/applying-through-ucas/foundation-programmes/

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In this episode of the LivIPL Podcast, medical student host Emmanuella Adu is joined by Professor Gareth Ackland and Dr Parjam (PJ), Consultants in Intensive Care Medicine and Anaesthesia at The Royal London Hospital and leading academics at Queen Mary University of London.

Together, they explore the realities of working in intensive care and anaesthesia, offering an insight into a typical day in these high-pressure specialities, the skills required to thrive and the journey through speciality training, including dual accreditation. They discuss why they chose careers in critical care, what life is like in the ICU, and the multidisciplinary teamwork that underpins safe, effective patient care.

The conversation also delves into the world of academic medicine, explaining translational research, clinician-scientist careers and how research can directly improve outcomes for patients undergoing major surgery or recovering from critical illness. Gareth and PJ share advice for students considering academic careers, discuss resilience in research and reflect on whether a PhD is essential for aspiring researchers.

Looking to the future, the episode explores emerging developments in critical care and anaesthesia, including the growing role of artificial intelligence and the innovations that could transform patient care in the years ahead.

Whether you're a healthcare student, trainee or simply curious about critical care, this episode offers an engaging and inspiring insight into two specialities at the forefront of modern medicine.

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In this heartfelt episode, Loan, now a pre-reg MSc Diagnostic Radiography student, shares the remarkable journey that led her to the profession she loves. Despite completing a wealth of higher education, including a PhD, Loan spent years quietly pushing herself harder and harder, convinced she simply had to work more to keep up. It wasn’t until she received a late diagnosis of dyslexia that she finally understood why her path had felt so difficult and why it had never been a reflection of her ability.

Loan opens up about the relief, validation, and renewed confidence that came with her diagnosis, and how it transformed her self-belief. She reflects on the passion that guided her to radiography, and how her experiences have shaped her into a deeply empathetic, resilient, and motivated practitioner.

This episode celebrates self-discovery, personal growth, and the powerful realisation that she was more than enough all along.

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What does it really mean to be an everyday hero? In this episode, Kerenza Gidman reflects on her journey as an unpaid carer for her younger brother. A story that’s equal parts emotional, raw, and inspiring. Alongside her, Dr. Warren Donnellan highlights the psychological and social impact of unpaid caring and why it's so important we create awareness of this fundamental yet often unspoken role. Together, they bridge research and reality, highlighting the resilience, compassion, and unseen struggles of carers everywhere.

Recommended reads mentioned in this episodes: Gabor Mate- When the Body Says No

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Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of domestic abuse, trauma, and perinatal mental health, which some listeners may find distressing. Please take care while listening and seek support if needed.

This episode was inspired by the work of Dr. Leanne Jackson, Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Liverpool, whose research in perinatal mental health continues to highlight the importance of early intervention and holistic care for families during this crucial life stage.

We’re joined by Judith Rees, Chief Operating Officer and Designated Safeguarding Lead at For Baby’s Sake Trust, a pioneering charity working to break the cycle of domestic abuse through a trauma-informed, whole-family approach. Judith brings a wealth of experience as a former NHS Midwife, Health Visitor, Practice Teacher, Safeguarding Children’s Nurse, and Team Leader for Health Visitors and School Nurses. In this conversation, she shares her deep passion for working with families and the impact of truly integrated support.

Together, we explore how interprofessional collaboration across health, social care, and safeguarding is not only possible but essential to truly empower families and protect the most vulnerable. Judith offers valuable insights into how relationship-based, trauma-informed practice is reshaping services and delivering lasting change.

Visit https://forbabyssake.org.uk for more information and support following this episode.

"The biggest misconception that I encounter is that new mothers believe that they are abnormal for finding motherhood challenging. Many new mothers I speak to feel unable to share their struggles and mental health difficulties for fear of being judged as not coping."

Dr Leanne Jackson

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In this inspiring episode, we talk to Dr. Emma Fishbourne, Senior Farm Animal Lecturer at the University of Liverpool, to explore her unique career path and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Em shares how her journey into veterinary science wasn’t a straight line- and why that’s not only okay, but often where the magic happens. We discuss the importance of embracing your career pathway, staying open to opportunities, and how her work connects to the global One Health movement. Whether you’re in vet med, healthcare, or simply navigating your own path, this episode is full of wisdom, real talk, and inspiration.

If you want to read more about One Health visit: https://www.who.int/health-topics/one-health#tab=tab_1

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Disclaimer: The following episode contains discussions of sexual misconduct, bullying, harassment, and gender-based discrimination in the workplace, particularly within healthcare settings. Some content may be distressing to listeners. Please take care while listening and consider whether now is the right time for you. If you or someone you know is affected by these topics, support resources are available on the Surviving in Scrubs webpage www.survivinginscrubs.co.uk

In this powerful episode, we're joined by Dr. Chelcie Jewitt—co-founder of the Surviving in Scrubs movement—for an unfiltered conversation about sexual misconduct, gender-based discrimination, bullying, and the systemic issues facing healthcare professionals in the UK and beyond. Dr. Jewitt opens up about her personal experiences and why she and Dr. Becky Cox launched Surviving in Scrubs to shine a light on what so many in healthcare endure in silence. This is a raw, necessary conversation about advocacy, resilience, and changing the culture of medicine from the inside out.

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In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome Professor Sally Sheard, Executive Dean of the Institute of Population Health at The University of Liverpool and Andrew Geddes and John Rankin Professor of Modern History. With her deep expertise in medical history, Professor Sheard draws fascinating connections between the past and present, offering insights into how historical figures and events continue to influence modern healthcare challenges.

We delve into the story of Liverpool's "Fab 4" — not the Beatles! But four groundbreaking figures in the city's medical history: Kitty Wilkinson, Dr. Duncan, James Newlands, and Thomas Fresh. Through Professor Sheard’s expert lens, we explore their often-overlooked contributions to public health and medicine, from pioneering sanitation systems to innovations in hospital care. These four individuals played a pivotal role in shaping both Liverpool's health landscape and the broader trajectory of public health practices in the UK.

Beyond discussing these iconic historical figures, we also dive into Professor Sheard’s significant work in the fields of public health policy, academia, and media. She shares her experiences from her BBC Four twenty-part series National Health Stories, as well as her authorship of The Passionate Economist: How Brian Abel-Smith Shaped Global Health and Social Welfare. Her extensive contributions to research and public health discourse make her a true authority in the field.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the history of medicine, the evolution of public health, and the individuals who have helped shape Liverpool’s rich heritage.

Listen to Professor Sheard's BBC 4 series National Health Stories here.

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