Three travelling fellowships have been awarded to medical students at Swansea University Medical School.
In late 2016, Prostate Cymru introduced travelling fellowships to help medical students specialising in urology to fund their elective studies. An elective is a placement in which the student chooses the content and setting of their studies.
The Ray Murray and Ray Williams travelling fellowships were created to support students from Cardiff University and Swansea University respectively. The fellowships are named in memory of Ray Murray, the founder of Prostate Cymru and Ray Williams OBE, the founding Chairman of the Pembrokeshire Friends of Prostate Cymru.
Judith Griffiths, representing Ray Williams’ family, recently visited Swansea University Medical School to present the first three fellowships. Prostate Cymru’s Chief Executive Tina Tew and trustee John Daniels accompanied Judith on her visit. The fellowship’s of £1000 per student were awarded to Swansea University final year (4th Year) Graduate Entry Medical students, Ryan Govier and Adrian Yan.
Ryan Govier from Aldershot, and Adrian Yan, from Pinner, will be working at the rural Sigatoka Hospital in Fiji, to build upon established interest in urology and raise awareness of prostate cancer which is the most common cancer among Fijian men.
Judith Griffiths, daughter of Ray Williams and member of Pembrokeshire Friends of Prostrate Cymru, said; “ On behalf of my family & Prostate Cymru, it was with great pride I presented the students with the very first , Ray Williams Travelling Fellowships.
“ My late Father throughout his rich & fruitful life was continually helping others to succeed. He always had a particular interest in young people . So this fellowship is particularly fitting & he would be so, so proud that Prostate Cymru has honoured him in this way.
“ He himself was awarded the Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship in 1970 to study the organisation & coaching system of rugby in Fiji & New Zealand. This was the start of an amazing career in Welsh & International Rugby. It is said, ‘ He took his ideas to the world then the world came to Wales to listen to what he had to say about rugby coaching.‘
“ This Fellowship supports the three students to go out into the world , share ideas, learn & spread the much needed word ‘awareness’ in the field of Urology. The fact that two of the students are going to Fiji is remarkable. I’m sure they will find great links between Wales & Fiji particularly in the world of rugby football.
“ We wish all students well & look forward to the feedback of their findings, documentaries & photo books. The opportunity my Father had with his Fellowship led onto great success – I hope the students can use their opportunity to further their knowledge & begin successful careers in Urology.”
Professor Keith Lloyd, Dean, Swansea University Medical School said:
” A really big thank you to Prostate Cymru for supporting Swansea medical students in their studies. We have strengths in prostate cancer research and look forward to collaborating further with Prostate Cymru to further raise awareness of prostate disease in Wales”
Receiving their fellowships the students said:
- “I want to say how thankful I am to everyone at Prostate Cymru for this bursary. It will allow me to achieve everything I want to on my elective placement in Fiji whilst being able to promote prostate health in the name of Ray Williams.“ – Ryan Govier.
- “ Learning about what Mr Ray Williams achieved in his life and the impact he had on those around him was inspiring; I am excited by the fact that his legacy lives on through this project and I feel honoured that I may be a part of it.”- Adrian Yan.
Pictured: Ryan and Adrian with members of the Pembrokeshire Friends of Prostate Cymru and staff from Swansea University Medical School.