Following on from International Women's Day, celebrated on 8 March, we share stories of five inspiring Edinburgh alumnae from the spheres of medicine and health. Women in Medicine In the almost 50 years that separate the graduations of this month's featured alumnae, the gender split in medicine has flipped around and new technologies have enabled online studies. 1966 classmates Christa Hook and Judith Mackay share details from their lively international careers and the battles along the way. 1990s alumnae Sarah Tabrizi and Catherine Elliott both describe working at a university, but with different responsibilities. And Clara Mpanga, the first female Malawian graduate of Surgical Sciences, shares her experiences of being an online distance learner. Christa Hook Image From South Africa to Somalia and hospital wards to war zones, Dr Christa Hook's global career can be described as a spiral. Read Christa Hook's profile. So the results of field research, contextual knowledge of different countries and socio-economic systems, and an understanding of the restraints experienced by dedicated workers in conflict and resource–poor circumstances, came together with the sound clinical and public health foundation gained from my time Edinburgh. Dr Christa Hook Judith Mackay Image Based in Hong Kong since the late sixties, committed feminist Professor Judith Mackay is a leading advocate of tobacco control, a role that comes with powerful industry adversaries. Read Judith Mackay's profile. My proudest accolade is to have been identified by the tobacco industry as one of the three most dangerous people in the world. Professor Judith MackayLeading tobacco control advocate Sarah Tabrizi Image Professor Sarah Tabrizi describes her journey to setting up the UCL Huntington’s Disease Centre and her focused efforts to find an effective treatment for this devastating neurodegenerative disease. Read Sarah Tabrizi's profile. I really did love medical school and threw myself wholeheartedly in. Those of you who knew me at the time and remember me at medical school always said that I was very enthusiastic! Sarah Tabrizi Professor of Neurology at the UCL Institute of Neurology Catherine Elliott Image Two-time Edinburgh graduate Dr Catherine Elliott returned to the University to become College Registrar for Medicine and Veterinary Medicine after roles in clinical medicine and medical law in London. Read Catherine Elliott's profile. I made fantastic friends in Medicine and other courses – a group of about ten of us still meet for an annual weekend and the friendships made at University have remained a very important part of my life. Dr Catherine ElliottCollege Registrar for Medicine and Veterinary Medicine Clara Mpanga Image After juggling Edinburgh's online MSc in Surgical Sciences with a masters in Malawi, Dr Clara Mpanga is now an orthopaedic consultant and board member of Women in Surgery in Africa (WiSA). Read Clara Mpanga's profile. The study format was very engaging and the smaller groups encouraged every individual to participate and acquire the necessary knowledge on the topic, irrespective of the resources available in each country. Dr Clara MpangaOrthopaedic consultant at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Malawi Send us your profile We are interested in the role that the University has played in your life, either directly - in terms of skills and knowledge - or indirectly, via friends, experiences or chance encounters. Please get in touch and you and your experiences could feature on our website. Document Alumni profile form (208.5 KB / DOC) This article was published on 2024-10-28