Former Newman Student Wins Medical Scholarship

Former Newman student, Halima Adam, has been awarded a medical scholarship to study to become a doctor.

The Mackenzie Scholarship is jointly funded by UCLan and East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, and is open to all applicants of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from East Lancashire. The aim is to give the opportunity to study medicine to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Halima, who left Cardinal Newman in 2015, after studying Business, ICT and Psychology A-Levels, went on to complete a degree in Healthcare Science at Bradford University, before joining UCLan this September. As the winner of the 2021/2022 scholarship, Halima has received a scholarship which covers tuition fees for the full duration of her studies.

Halima, now aged 24, was inspired to study medicine after spending years as the primary carer for her younger sister Zafirah, who has cerebral palsy and has been working as a Health Care Assistant since 2018 to support her through her studies. Halima said: “I was really delighted when I found out I’d been awarded the scholarship. Not only is it such a special honour, but it really took the financial pressure off me.

“I’m the main carer for my 22-year-old sister, so to know I wouldn’t have to struggle to fit more part-time working around my studies and have the time to care for her was a huge bonus.”