A Blackburn student and community volunteer has received a scholarship from the University of Central Lancashire to study medicine.
Shiraaz Mizan has been awarded the Mackenzie Scholarship from the School of Medicine, which covers all tuition fees for the duration of the five year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree course.
Jointly funded by the University and East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, it is offered annually to an East Lancashire based student from families that are under-represented at universities. It is one of four medical scholarships created by the University to attract talented students from a wide variety of backgrounds.
The former Blackburn Central High School and Clitheroe Royal Grammar Sixth Form pupil has always wanted to become a doctor to help people, particularly the elderly, stay healthy and independent.
"I have wanted to work in medicine for a long time and after seeing what my dad went through, it brought home how the loss of independence can have a detrimental impact on a person."
— Mackenzie Scholarship Shiraaz Mizan
Shiraz’s desire to help elderly people was further strengthened after his father suffered a haemorrhagic stroke five-years-ago and the 21-year-old felt the effects first hand.
He said: “I have wanted to work in medicine for a long time and after seeing what my dad went through, it brought home how the loss of independence can have a detrimental impact on a person.
“Knowing that events like these are not only common but can easily be ignored if you don’t know what to look for, I wanted to start a journey of becoming a healer, teacher and mentor. Now I am even more determined to qualify as a doctor and be able to help people in my local community.”
"I am even more determined to qualify as a doctor and be able to help people in my local community."
— Mackenzie Scholarship Shiraaz Mizan
Alongside his studies, Shiraaz is an associate with the Centre of Excellence in Safety for Older People (CESOP), and with the Centre for Remediation Support and Training (CRST).
As a CESOP associate, he has helped to improve the safety of care of older people in hospitals, communities and care homes and to embed a culture of dignity, compassion and respect. He was also on the organising committee for the second international conference on older people safety.
Through CRST, Shiraaz has contributed to supporting doctors in difficulty or those with enhanced learning needs return safely to practice. CRST also helps new international doctors to integrate into NHS and local communities.
Shiraaz, who completed a degree in medical sciences at the University of Central Lancashire before embarking on the MBBS degree course, added: “I am truly grateful to be the recipient of the Mackenzie Scholarship and am proud to be an ambassador for the School of Medicine.”