The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
‘Your journey to mastery begins’
Medical students got a dose of the best medicine when they made their way to the final Aberdeen University graduation ceremony of the summer yesterday.
The sky remained clear as the group were joined by
“I would say to the people graduating: work hard and find out what you love”
family and friends to celebrate the climax of years of hard work in Elphinstone Hall.
They were addressed by Professor Rona Patey who was full of praise for their endeavours in successfully completing their course.
She said: “You have made your way through five or six years of what may have sometimes seemed like never-ending and exhausting study.
Soon, you will start work and with that a journey to mastery where you confidently integrate and apply appropriately – and at the right time – the great knowledge and wide array of skills you have gained and will continue to gain.”
She was also full of praise for the patients who allowed students to work with them.
She added: “You have been learning with patients since year one.
“[You have been working with] wonderful volunteer patient partners at Foresterhill and in Inverness, but also with real patients in the community and in hospital, who at times have been frustrated, living with difficult news, in pain and very unwell, but still willing to allow you, as a medical student, to learn as much as possible.
“The word awesome is much overused these days, but patients’ kindness and willingness to be our partners in educating the next generation of doctors is a great gift and a truly awesome aspect of healthcare education that we should take every opportunity to highlight.”
Among those who picked up an honorary degree on the day was the former Lord Provost of Aberdeen George Adam, who collected the accolade for his services to the city.
He said afterwards: “I have known during my time as a councillor and as lord provost about the close relationship between the university and the city and this reinforces that.
“I am really proud to pick up this degree.
“I would say to the people graduating: work hard and find out what you really love, because then you will put everything into it.”