Hi everyone, my name is Katarina, and I’m a third-year medical student on the Chelmsford campus. I'd love to be your new VP for Healthcare Practice and be a voice for the healthcare students who are out on placement.

I believe students should have a say in where they go for placement, and I feel I would be an excellent representative in this conversation. I have experience working with faculties as the Medicine Course Rep in 2021/22. Part of this role involved collecting feedback from students and presenting it to course leads and lecturers; something that is a significant aspect of the VP for Healthcare Practice role.

As a widening access student, I am aware of the financial burden that comes with placements. I would love to work with the Students Union to explore further support in the form of travel bursaries and a uniform or 'smart shoe' fund. Drawing from my experience with budgets and finances as the Treasurer of the ARU Surgical Society, where I applied for grants and sponsorships, I believe I can provide valuable assistance to fellow students.

Students on placement often feel detached from the University, so I would work to make them better aware of the support available to them. Placements can be difficult and emotional, and students may need to see counsellors or well-being teams after upsetting situations. I would aim to streamline this process and make it more readily accessible. Students should never be told to 'just get over it.' I would also work to make the occupational health process easier for students to navigate. There can be lots of preconceived ideas about what occupational health means and what it can actually do. So, I would want students to be better equipped to go out on placements.

I have lots of experience working with the Students Union, as a student staff member at 92 or President of the Surgical Society (which became the biggest society ever at Anglia Ruskin under my leadership) or President of the Water Sports Society. I have hosted and been a representative at conferences. I have also been responsible for organising the 'Winter on the Water' boat party that is loved by students. I would love to put my hand to a 'Healthcare Ball' if students would like it.

I believe I am an excellent candidate and would be a voice for all healthcare students!

Feel free to drop me a message if you have any questions; kql100@student.aru.ac.uk