Galenicals’ President’s Speech

inclusive than ever before. Events and campaigns obviously suffered this year, and sustainability will continue to be a priority going forward, but we’ve done some work behind the scenes to engrain it in all that we do. It has definitely been and continues to be a busy year for Galenicals!

Should you be in need of a lockdown activity, I’d thoroughly recommend reading some of the old Black Bag editions. There is a collection kept online at issuu.com/galenicals and the Medical Library holds further editions. For a particularly interesting parallel between our current lives and the lives of past students, I’d recommend the 1945 peacetime edition – an insight into the thoughts of students following the only comparable challenge facing society in the lifetime of the Black Bag and Galenicals. Reassuringly, medical students will always be medical students and the stereotypes will always apply.

Finally, I would like to dedicate this address to Matt Ward, one of our own, who we sadly lost this year. May he rest in peace.

J. McAlinden Galenicals President 2020-21

– GALENICALS COMMITTEE 2020-21 –

Jack McAlinden – President Catrin Masson – Foundation Vice President Narendra Mampitiya – Senior Vice President Lucy Willis – Secretary Callum Craig – Treasurer Kieran Howarth – Alumni Director Bash Hamza – Colleges Director Emma Bache – Community Outreach Director Shay Wahid – Events Director Sheena Parmar – Events Director Brianna Robinson – International Director Amber Knapp-Wilson – Mature Students Director Alice Watts – Performing Arts Director Shalaka Dixit – Sponsorship Director Francesca Blest – Sports Director George Hurst – Sports Director Kimran Birring – Webmaster Natasha McGowan – Welfare & Equalities Director

Tribute to Matt Ward

On the 17th of October, Matthew Ward, a year 3 medical student passed away whilst on placement. Many of us are still reeling from this loss. In November I read some poems on Instagram that touched on the subject of grief. We included one of them here to remind you to take time for yourself and check in with those around you. Read the poem aloud to yourself and listen to the gentle rhymical timbre of the words. Allow these words to create a stillness in this hectic world and provide a comfort.

This issue is dedicated to Matthew ward. We will never forget him, and I hope one day that I am even half the doctor that he would have become.

M. van der Heiden

The Noble Nature Ben Jonson

It is not growing like a tree In bulk, doth make man better be; Or standing long an oak, three hundred year, To fall a log at last, dry, bald, and sere: A lily of a day Is fairer far in May, Although it fall and die that night— It was the plant and flower of Light. In small proportions we just beauties see; And in short measures life may perfect be.

This poem comments on how life is important even when its cut short