Melanin Medics

By Dr Grace Ogwel (Obstetrics and Gynaecology ST1) The Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) is a major stepping stone in the specialty training journey. As resident doctors, we all know that entry into specialty training is more competitive than ever and for many of us, just seeing those four letters can trigger a collective sigh (or panic). This guide focuses on: what the MSRA actually involves how scoring works the revision strategies that helped me the mistakes to avoid the most...

As a Black woman in medicine, I’ve had my own moments of being underestimated, but the experiences of Black men sit in a unique space. Their visibility, their absence, the stereotypes working against them, the pride they carry, and the pressure they feel all shape a reality we don’t talk about enough. So, in light of men’s mental health month, I spoke to a few Black male medical students and asked them to share their journeys with me. Their honesty was refreshing. Their vulnerability was...

Having spent over 20 years of my life in Scotland (yes, I can confirm Black Scottish people do exist), I would like to take a moment to reflect on what I’ve learned from that experience—especially now, having recently relocated to England for specialty training. Black History Month feels like a fitting time to share my reflections as a Black female medic who trained in Scotland. This year’s theme is “Standing Firm in Power and Pride.” But what does that really mean? The theme centers around...