An inspirational talk for aspiring King’s medics

We were delighted to welcome back Megan Pode (OKS 2015) this week to speak to our aspiring Sixth Form medics. Megan is currently in her fourth year of Medicine at University of Manchester and has achieved so much already! 

Megan knew she wanted to become a doctor at the age of 7, however when leaving King’s in 2015 she did not gain a university place to study Medicine, so instead chose Pharmacology at Newcastle University. After graduating with a degree in Pharmacology, Megan finally gained a place studying Medicine at Manchester. Alongside her degree, she started working as a relief healthcare assistant in A&E and was often asked by colleagues if she could help with their children’s medical school applications. That is when Megan founded Medics&Me – a fantastic resource that provides in-depth insight into the world of medical school and enables students from disadvantaged backgrounds to have equal opportunities when applying to study medicine. Her aim is that every potential medical student from a widening participation background can feel supported and nurtured through the application process. 

Megan shared her experiences with the Sixth Formers, offered an array of fantastic resources and answered the questions they had about applying to study Medicine. She was then awarded a King’s Leading Light Award for ‘Young Leadership’ by Head of Sixth Form Josh Carter. 

Josh Carter commented “Megan Pode was Deputy Head of School in 2014-15 and went to study Pharmacology at Newcastle having missed out on studying Medicine on A Level results day. Rather than dwelling negatively on this she used this experience to find a different route into Medicine and is now in her fourth year as a post-graduate Medic at Manchester. Extolling the benefits of this different route to the students she also spoke of her work in setting up a charity to support students in the non-selective state sector applying for Medicine. Hugely well received by the students in both Lower and Upper Sixth, Megan was her usual enthusiastic, effervescent self. It was fabulous to see her again.”

She is truly an inspirational role model for aspiring medics and gives so much of her time to help others, all at King’s are extremely proud of her!

You can follow Megan’s mentoring scheme on Instagram – @medics.me 

Megan receiving her Leading Light Award from Josh Carter