Post by Yameena Rushdy

Hi Network! The past few weeks have been both busy and incredibly rewarding, with formative assessments in February alongside a number of interviews. Alongside the stress, the past few weeks have also brought some exciting opportunities. I’ve been privileged to serve this year as Vice-Chair of UCL Paediatrics Society and Pre-Clinical Education Director at the National Undergraduate Paediatrics Society. Through these roles, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to the organisation of the London Medical Schools Paediatrics Conference 2026, which took place on Saturday 7th March. The conference theme was "Child Health Across the Globe" and stemmed some incredibly profound conversations on child health equity. A particular highlight of the conference was facilitating the panel discussion “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child” alongside my Teddy Talks Podcast co-host, Laetisha Azzahra Witoyo. The conference took place almost a year after we recorded the very first episode of the podcast together. It was a real privilege to bring these conversations on global child health, community, and collaboration to a live audience. Alongside the conference, I’m also very grateful to share another academic milestone. I’ve been offered a place on the Rani Rawji Studentship, an academic fellowship that will allow me to join a research team at UCL for five weeks this summer. Thankful for the mentors, colleagues, and friends whose support makes opportunities like these possible, and looking forward to continuing to explore my interests in paediatrics, education and academic medicine. I had a lot of fun planning for the conference over the last eight months, with the best committee! Thank you and I hope you have a wonderful week! Yameena