Graduation – prizewinners, the class of 2017

This week, more than 4,400 University of Brighton students graduated at our ceremonies at the Brighton Centre, which started on Tuesday (25 July). Students aged 19 – 79 and from over 90 countries dressed in gowns and mortarboards to collect their awards.

The School of Health Sciences (SHS), class of 2017, took to the stage on Wednesday 26^th July for the afternoon ceremony.

Families and friends from around the world attended and thousands more watched via the university’s livestream.

Congratulations to all our graduates and to our prizewinners who were awarded the SHS Prizes for Excellence.  

Pre-Registration prize: Jake Mulley, Physiotherapy BSc(Hons)

Trish Fordham, course leader said

‘Jake passed all modules assessments at first attempt, he has exemplary reports from his clinical practice modules: his grade range is 68-82% on his practice placements, his average marks across level 4, 5 and 6 are 63%, 70% and 70% respectively showing progression across levels, and his was awarded a first class honour degree at the summer exam board with an overall mark of 69.90%.

Jake was very active as a Course representative and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy representative over his 3 years at University. He regularly attended university and national meetings and gave feedback to both staff and students. He regularly volunteered as an ambassador at Open days and Selection events: he was always very reliable in support of the course and his peers. He represented the programme at the Student Voice conference. He also regularly volunteered for charity events including the Brighton half marathon.

Jake was a very motivated and engaged student throughout his 3 years on the course and deserves to be nominated for this award.’

Post-Registration prize: Clare Morfoot, Clinical Studies & Education MSc

Clare was nominated by Helen Stanley, Education Course Leader, Patrick Saintas, Dissertation Supervisor, and Carole Cheales, Course Leader.

‘Clare passed all assignments at first attempt and received consistently high grades throughout. Clare consistently achieved the distinction grade in all the modules, which she undertook. We wholeheartedly support this nomination for her outstanding achievements and being a well-motivated student.

Clare is a talented academic clinician and educator who is absolutely authentic in her passion to drive forward standards and the body of knowledge in neonatal special care. Clare has received exemplary reports from her education, work-based project and dissertation assignments that link to her practice as Matron and Practice Development Educator for Trevor Mann Neonatal Unit, Royal Sussex County Hospital, BSUH.

Throughout her studies she has pursued her subject matter with impeccable rigor and precision whilst undertaking substantial work responsibilities.  Clare has used this solid foundation to explore creative solutions and gain insights in her field of practice.  All Clare’s efforts are undertaken with uncompromising generosity to colleagues and fellow students making her a natural leader, teacher and role model, and she has acted as a student representative at Board of Study and PG Programme Boards.  She has also used her expertise and course work to engage and build networks at local and national levels. She has led a Neonatal module on the Acute Clinical Practice BSc in the School of Health Sciences and actively contributes to the Sussex and Surrey Neonatal Network and national Pediatric Advanced Life Support programmes.  She recently supported the staff, child and neonatal pathway students of the Neonatal Unit where one of the Nursing Child students died suddenly after completing her final allocation and had secured her first staff nurse post there.

An example of her module work included the development of a nurse-led screening programme for retinopathy of prematurity, which incorporated the construction of a competency framework.  The project required an enormous amount of perseverance and extensive collaborative-working skills to complete, and demonstrated Clare’s resilience in the pursuit of excellence and growth in her ability to critically apply evidence to successfully bring about change in practice and improve service delivery.

Her dissertation showed excellent knowledge of subject, demonstrating an exceptional level of understanding, originality and vision in the application of knowledge to form judgements on theories, concepts and principles in the impact of simulation-based education for neonatal skills training on self-efficacy in post-registration nurses.

Clare is a perfect example of how a student can use their master’s to make a difference in clinical practice and embodies the essence of the award of MSc Clinical Studies and Education.’