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Hi everyone, My name’s Rishabh! I’m originally from India but I have been brought up in Malaysia. My interests range from: cycling, programming, cooking and piano playing. As an aspiring surgeon and someone keen on improving access to surgical education, I am applying to become the society’s next Specialties Representative. Having attended several national surgical conferences, workshops, teaching series and being involved in surgical research, I understand the difficulties in gaining sufficient exposure to all of the different surgical specialties to understand which one is right for them to pursue. National workshops and teaching series tend to be quite expensive for students to afford, presenting additional financial barriers. As someone who is still deciding on which specialty to consider pursuing, I understand how valuable such experiences can be in shaping one’s perception and motivations to pursue specific surgical subspecialties. Thus, by drawing upon all my past experiences at national events, the connections I’ve formed by working with national surgical societies and with local societies (BrainLeeds, Leeds Oncology Society, CardioSoc), I hope to provide more exciting specialist practical workshops, CV clinics, career workshops and other opportunities for CuttingEdge Members to experience the full breadth and depth of what surgery has to offer.

Having attended surgical skills workshops run by the Royal College of Surgeons, UCL, Hugh Cairns Oxford Surgical Society and conferences hosted by the Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT), British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic Surgery (BAPRAS), InciSioN (International Surgical Student Network), I believe I have gained a sufficient level of experience to provide students with a wide range of insights into particular specialties through skills/careers workshops. Following the success of the MDT Interactive Case Based Discussion that I helped to organise in collaboration with CuttingEdge and XPosure as Vice President of OncSoc last year, I am keen to foster stronger links with other medical societies at Leeds and beyond to showcase a wider range of surgical subspecialties and provide greater opportunities for students to engage with this.

My name is Riyan Shah, and I am nominating myself for the Specialty Representative role. As a first-year medical student, I stand at the precipice of my career, eager to explore the vast landscape of medical specialities.

My passion for surgery is undeniable, but I approach this position with an open mind, recognizing the wealth of opportunities each speciality presents. I have already shadowed several surgical specialities, including cardiothoracic surgery, breast surgery, and plastic surgery to broaden my perspective. This role offers me the chance to delve deeper into various other specialities by actively forming new connections with other surgical-related societies, allowing me to discern where my true interests and talents lie.

Throughout this year, I have eagerly attended numerous Cutting Edge events, relishing the opportunity to learn and engage with leaders in the field. Alongside that, I witnessed the hard work and dedication the committee regularly devoted to each event, inspiring me to get involved as well.

Outside of academia, I thrive on keeping myself occupied with a multitude of hobbies. From sports like cricket, football, and golf to taking on leadership roles such as being elected as an academic prefect at school, I have honed invaluable skills in time management, teamwork, and leadership.

My experiences working within diverse teams have equipped me with the ability to collaborate effectively and adapt to various dynamics seamlessly. I am drawn to this role not only by my passion for surgery but also by the opportunity to connect with the incredible members of our society. If elected, I look forward to forming meaningful relationships and contributing to our collective growth and success.

Thank you for considering my candidacy.

Warm regards,
Riyan Shah

Hi Everyone, I’m Hamish and I’m a second-year student. I have been a member of Cutting Edge for two years now and I would love to be your speciality rep for Cutting Edge next year. 

Over the past two years as a member of Cutting Edge, I have benefitted hugely from the wealth of opportunities that they have to offer. As someone passionate about surgery, Cutting Edge has allowed me to experience several different surgical specialities and has sparked my interest in specialities that I wouldn’t have otherwise considered.

Over the past two years I have had exposure through placement and cutting-edge events to a variety of specialties including Plastic surgery, ENT and General Surgery as well as Maxillofacial, T&O and Neurosurgery. 

As Specialty rep for cutting edge, I would aim to ensure that all cutting edge members would have the opportunity to explore surgical specialties that they may have otherwise not considered and provide opportunities to learn more about these specialties.

I would aim to achieve this through developing relationships with surgeons throughout Leeds to offer their experience within their specialities and to ignite new curiosity and passion in our members. I would also maintain and build new relationships with medical societies where there is overlap with the surgical societies to create collaborative events, which in the past have been hugely successful.

I have been a keen member of Cutting Edge over the last two years, taking part in the mentorship scheme, suturing course, conferences and many other events to further fuel my passion and interest in surgery. My time management, organisation and communication skills make me ideally suited to the role and hope to channel this into creating opportunities for our members. 

I would hugely appreciate it if you would consider my candidacy. 

Thanks, 

Hamish