Dr Mo Sacoor MRCP

Scholarship Programme

Providing a life changing opportunity

April 2015

The Dr Mo Sacoor MRCP Scholarship Programme has been established by Dr Mo Sacoor with one aim -

to enable talented individuals at The University of Sheffield make the very most of their education

through the provision of bursaries and scholarships. The Dr Mo Sacoor Scholarship Programme funds

six schemes:

- Medical Scholarships - Music Scholarships

- Music Performance Scholarships - Medical Elective Scholarships

- Presentation of Medical Research - Hardship Scholarships

Since 2013, the programme has supported a remarkable 47 students and will continue to support and

inspire many more young people in the years to follow. We are delighted to provide this update on the

powerful impact these awards have had on a number of Sheffield students over the past two years.

Programme

Overview

Medical

Scholarships

The Dr Mo Sacoor MRCP Medical Scholarships

are awarded to first year medical students on

the basis of financial need. 11 medical students

have received an award over the past two

years. This is what it means, in their own

words:

Alexander

“Thank you for choosing me to receive this

scholarship, it has made a huge difference to

my studies already and I am sure it will

continue to do so. I feel honoured to have

received this and I will work hard to make sure

that the money is not wasted and that I will

achieve everything that I can.”

Sade

“Thank you! The award that I received covered

a shortfall in my fees that I may not have been

able to pay otherwise. The daily worry that the

place at medical school I had fought so hard to

gain might be taken away at any moment

because I could not find enough money caused

a significant level of stress. This award

therefore has not just allowed me to pay my

fees, but has enabled me to focus more of my

energy on my studies and as a result I enjoy my

course more and have achieved grades that I

am proud of in my end of year exams. The

depth and breadth of the impact that this

award has had on my life and studies should

not be underestimated. Thank you again.”

Katy

“The students of Sheffield are keen to learn

and hard-working - studying the past,

contributing to the present and developing the

future. I believe it is unfortunate that some

students struggle to do this because of the

financial implications. Alumni donations are

important to enable students to get the most

out of their time in Sheffield, achieve their

potential and improve the world around us.”

Music Performance

Scholarships

Ella

“Thank you for my scholarship, I’m very grateful to have been

deemed talented enough to receive it! My area of specialism

is in solo vocal performance as a soprano. I sing in the

University Chamber Choir and Schola Cantorum, the all

female choir at Sheffield Cathedral. In 2010 I won the BBC

Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year award, which has given

me not only regular paid work as a soloist with local choirs

such as the Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus and the Sheffield

Bach Choir, but also work further afield, such as performing

under John Rutter in his Christmas concert at the Royal

Albert Hall as a soloist, and at No 10 Downing Street. I chose to

study music at Sheffield primarily because it offered a

performance orientated course. This was very important to

me when choosing a university, as it is my aspiration to

become a professional singer. The main way in which this

award will help me is in vocal tuition. I currently have lessons

every 4 weeks with Elizabeth Ritchie, who teaches at the Royal

Academy of Music. Thank you so much for providing this

scholarship it is truly life-changing.”

Lewis

“Thank you greatly from the bottom of my heart for donating

a scholarship reward to myself and other young aspiring

musicians. As a musician, monetary support is extremely hard

to come by, but is an extremely helpful aid in progressing into

a professional career. I am a drummer and percussionist from

Hull who specialises in jazz and fusion music. I began playing

aged 9 after sneaking into my older brothers room and

listening to his extensive record collection; which he

vehemently forbid me to do. I was enticed by the loud thud of

the kick drum and began begging my mum to buy me a drum

kit. From here onwards it has been a joy filled obsession of

learning and developing. My ultimate goal would be to follow

in my idols footsteps and become a professional session

musician working in London for various artists, whilst also

advancing the musical landscape of my instrument and most

importantly teaching and imparting my knowledge onto

others and subsequent generations.”

The Dr Mo Sacoor Music Performance Scholarships are awarded to first year music students who demonstrate excellence in performance. Auditions took place in July and October 2014 and Ella and Lewis are just two of the six fantastic performers who have been awarded scholarships.

A date for your diary

We are absolutely delighted to announce the first concert by the prize winners this year. This event will be a wonderful opportunity to hear from the talented recipients of the performance scholarships first-hand.

Dr Mo Sacoor Prize Winners Concert

Monday 18th May, 17.45

Firth Hall, Sheffield

http://concerts.sheffield.ac.uk/

whats-on/ms-prize

Medical Electives

The medical electivescan be a transformational experience for medical students. Often taken aboard – it is a valuable opportunity to learn more about oneself; to explore different skills, specialisms and cultures; and to be inspired. The educational value and opportunities for personal development are significant. The Dr Mo Sacoor MRCP Medical Elective Scholarships provide bursaries to students who have demonstrated exceptional enthusiasm, planning and commitment towards their elective, but whose financial situation would make it an impossible aim. The programme has supported over 29 students who have travelled all over the world including Guatemala, Ethiopia, India, Japan and Australia. We have highlighted two fantastic experiences from the many provided.

Jonathan - Maternal Health in Ethiopia

Clinical work at the Ayder in Ethiopia allowed me to see the delivery of healthcare in a very different setting. In theatre I witnessed a huge variety of cases that would be unheard of in Sheffield, from caesarean section delivery of a 650g baby to the removal of an enormous 2kg cervical myoma, I was constantly surprised by presentations I had not come across before and the huge ingenuity of the surgeons dealing with them in less than ideal conditions. Water shortage, power outages and a lack of equipment constantly delayed or halted progress in the hot, un-air-conditioned operating rooms. Throughout my elective I was impressed by the hospitality of the Ethiopian people, their willingness to learn and their desire to bring about positive change in their country. The state of healthcare is by no means fantastic, far far more mothers still diethan should do, but the outlook is positive: things are improving.

Charlotte - Diabetes and endocrinology in Tokyo

As a large teaching hospital in Japan’s capital Tokyo, the Jikei provided me with a wide scope for learning. Japan’s healthcare is very different to the NHS. Patients, have a choice in which practitioner they choose to see, whether in primary care or a specialist directly without referral. Japan is ranked 5th worldwide for having the most diabetics per country. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in particular is increasing largely due to rapid changes in diet, lifestyle and the increasing ageing population. Overall the greatest impact of my placement has been seeing the great difference in culture and patient attitudes concerning their own health. It has further increased my interest in endocrinology to the point I would strongly consider this for a training rotation as a doctor.

Hardship scholarships

Dr Sacoor established this scheme to provide one-off grants to students, from any discipline, who encounter

hardship due to unforeseen circumstances or who are facing additional costs due to exceptional situations.

The aim of this award is to help students when they need it the most.

Presentation of medical research scholarship

This award supports medical students who have been involved in research to attend and present their research

at national and international meetings. This important experience is often the first step towards a distinguished

research career. The initial award of 2014/2015 was given to Samuel to enable him to present his research at the

prestigious EAU Section of Urological Imaging (ESUI) meeting in Portugal last year.

Research Presentation

& Hardship

Samuel

I am a fourth-year medical student and have been undertaking a service evaluation of the use of MRI in the

detection of prostate cancer, under the supervision of Mr Derek Rosario, Senior Lecturer/Honorary Consultant

Urologist. I began this project as a six-week student-selected component in my third year and have subsequently

continued it in my own time.

Our service evaluation looked at the performance of multiparametric and staging MRIs in 118 men with

persistently elevated prostate-specific antigen, using transperineal prostate mapping biopsies as the gold

standard. We found that multiparametric MRI is superior to staging MRI and that a negative multiparametric MRI

eliminates the need for immediate further biopsy. In addition, our results showed that the majority of significant

cancers could be detected using an MR-targeted biopsy approach. These results will inform a reconfiguration of

prostate services at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.

In July, I presented our preliminary results at South Yorkshire Surgical Audit Meeting. Our abstract has now been

accepted to the ESUI conference in Lisbon in November 2014, with an associated abstract publication in the

European Urology journal. I was thrilled at the chance to present our research at such a prestigious international

conference and was grateful for such an opportunity to increase my confidence and presentation skills. I am

currently applying for an MSc and am hoping to be able to pursue a clinical academic career. This opportunity

has been invaluable in demonstrating my early commitment to a research career.

In May 2013, Dr Mo Sacoor made a significant donation to support scholarships in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health and assist students on their medical electives. His incredible commitment and generosity did not end there and his support has grown to encompass six different scholarship funds for students studying medicine and music and other students who experience hardship across the University. Every time I have met Mo I have been moved by his desire to support others and his passion and pride in our University which is one of the best in the world. Reading this report and the many words of thanks and motivation from the talented young people the programme has supported, I am even more convinced of the power that philanthropy can have in transforming individuals, institutions, and society as a whole. The University of Sheffield is incredibly grateful to Mo for his support. It provides great inspiration not only to the many students who will benefit from these awards, but also to other alumni and friends who may be considering making their own gift to the University or another cause close to their heart. On behalf of the students, my colleagues across the University and our Vice-Chancellor, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mo, most sincerely, for his continued support - it really does make a difference.

Miles Stevenson Director of Alumni and Donor Relations

Making a Difference

Development, Alumni Relations & Events

University of Sheffield

40 Victoria Street

Sheffield

S10 2TN

Email: e.davey@sheffield.ac.uk

Tel: 0114 222 4518

Fax: 0114 222 1044