Elective and intern experiences
Our passionate students and recent graduates have immersed themselves in sustainability-focused electives, working alongside our team to drive meaningful change in healthcare. Through their placements, they’ve made invaluable contributions that have amplified the impact of our sustainability programmes and advanced multiple projects. Upon returning to their clinical pathways, these future doctors become advocates for sustainability, integrating their knowledge into practice and championing a greener, more equitable healthcare system for years to come.
Explore reports from recent placements to see how they’ve shaped the future of sustainable healthcare.
Final year medical students
Evie Banham
Final Year Medical Student, June 2024
“During my six-week elective, I worked on two projects. I first contributed to a ‘Greener Surgery in Maternity Theatres’ initiative, which enhanced my academic review skills and matched my interest in women’s health. I also developed a course on ‘Nature and Healthcare,’ combining my passion for sustainability and healthcare. It was a valuable experience to work within a team and create something from scratch that adds to the field. Through these projects, I have expanded my understanding of sustainability within healthcare. I eagerly await the launch of the resource so I can share it with my future colleagues.”
Ayesha Khan
Final Year Medical Student, April 2023
“My elective with CSH allowed me to apply sustainable healthcare principles practically. I began by completing the ‘Introduction to Sustainable Healthcare’ course, which laid a strong foundation for my projects. I was involved in summarising case studies, developing workshops, and delivering a session on the SusQI framework for new volunteers. This experience enhanced my teamwork, communication, and remote working skills, and deepened my appreciation for the role of simple interventions in driving meaningful change.”
Bethany Shadbolt
Final Year Medical Student, April 2023
“During my elective, I focused on the sustainable pharmacy network, where I summarised and reviewed greener primary care cases. I found it inspiring to see the innovative ways healthcare professionals are reducing their carbon footprints. I also supported the development of a publication list and updated educational resources. These experiences broadened my perspective on sustainability and have motivated me to introduce similar projects throughout my career.”
Simran Sehdev
Final Year Medical Student, MSc Clinical Neuroscience KCL, June 2022
“My elective centred around understanding how climate change impacts neurology. Writing a blog on the intersection of neurology and climate change equipped me to recognise the unique challenges posed by a changing environment. I researched how conditions like epilepsy and multiple sclerosis might evolve with global warming, which prepared me to think critically about future neurological care. I’m excited to integrate these insights into my forthcoming Academic Foundation post in Public Health Research.”
Sophie Walpole
Final Year Medical Student at Barts and the London, May 2022
“Working on CSH’s Green Ward case studies showed me how to evaluate healthcare practices using the triple bottom line of financial, social, and environmental value. I now feel more confident in assessing how clinical practice can incorporate sustainable value, and I’m looking forward to applying these skills as a doctor. This elective reinforced that healthcare’s impact extends beyond clinical outcomes and encouraged me to consider broader sustainability factors in future projects.”
Ardra Radhalakshmi
Final Year Medical Student, King’s College London, March 2022
“Participating in the ‘Introduction to Sustainable Healthcare’ course gave me a solid grounding in sustainable healthcare principles. I then worked on projects such as the Sustainable Anaesthetics course and developed educational resources for GPs and midwives. These experiences broadened my understanding of how to implement sustainable practices in clinical settings. I’m excited to take these lessons into my future career, particularly in medical education.”
Naomi Richardson
SU Final Year Medical Student, University of Leicester, May 2022
“My elective project involved reviewing case studies and working on a questionnaire for the CSH networks. Initially, I was uncertain about how this aligned with my goals, but as I progressed, I saw the value in the work and directed my own learning. I now have a deeper understanding of sustainable healthcare and the confidence to advocate for it. This placement was an invaluable experience that equipped me to drive climate action in healthcare.”
Jessica Burt
Final Year Medical Student, University of Leeds, August 2021
“The elective highlighted how sustainability can be embedded in healthcare. It was encouraging to see a growing community of like-minded professionals and organisations pushing for environmental change in clinical practice. Engaging with this network has inspired me to become an advocate for sustainable healthcare and reinforced the importance of ‘doing no harm’—both to patients and the planet.”
Jenni Newton
Final Year Medical Student, University of Leeds, August 2021
“The elective highlighted how sustainability can be embedded in healthcare. It was encouraging to see a growing community of like-minded professionals and organisations pushing for environmental change in clinical practice. Engaging with this network has inspired me to become an advocate for sustainable healthcare and reinforced the importance of ‘doing no harm’—both to patients and the planet.”
Shiwei Ooi
Year 5 Medical Student, University of Leeds MBChB, August 2021
“Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team and using my creative skills to advocate for climate action were standout experiences of my elective. I developed blogs and infographics and connected with healthcare professionals to discuss sustainability strategies. This opportunity has been a stepping stone towards a career where I can merge my interests in graphic design, data analytics, and healthcare.”
Nursing Students
Binta Fofana
Second Year, Mental Health Nursing Student, August 2022
“During my placement, I explored the impact of environmental changes on mental health and wellbeing. This experience equipped me with valuable knowledge to better understand patients from low socioeconomic backgrounds, who are often disproportionately affected by environmental hazards. It has strengthened my commitment to integrating sustainability into mental health nursing.”