For Tess Whitworth and Tatyana Sinaisky, the journey to graduation has been shaped by loss, self-doubt, resilience and a shared desire to make a difference in the lives of patients. Both were inspired in part by losing their fathers to cancer and have channelled those experiences into careers dedicated to caring for others.
They are two of more than 5000 students graduating from Ulster University this summer, with ten days of celebrations taking place at ceremonies in Belfast, Coleraine & Derry~Londonderry.
A career change inspired by loss and a lifelong ambition
Originally from Sydney, Australia, 36-year-old Tess Whitworth had already built a successful career in biomedical science, research and medical communications before making the life-changing decision to pursue medicine. Her father’s diagnosis with leukaemia and subsequent death prompted her to reassess her future and fulfil a lifelong ambition of becoming a doctor.
At the same time, Tess was grappling with the difficult decision to leave a PhD programme, something she admits felt like a personal and academic failure.
Tess said:
"For a long time, not finishing my PhD felt like a failure. I had invested years of my life in research and suddenly found myself questioning what I wanted to do next. Looking back now, it took a lot of courage to start again and apply for medicine, but it was also one of the best decisions I've ever made."
After relocating to London, Tess worked as a medical writer, translating complex scientific research into educational materials for healthcare professionals. While attending a major international cancer conference, she found herself inspired by a consultant haematologist developing pioneering new treatments for blood cancers.
The experience became a turning point.
"I always loved science, but after my dad became ill, I realised I wanted to be the person helping patients directly. I was sitting in conference halls listening to doctors talk about changing people's lives and I realised I didn't want to be behind the scenes anymore. I wanted to be the person making a difference to patients every day."
Determined to pursue that ambition, Tess applied to Ulster University's School of Medicine and was accepted onto the graduate-entry programme.
Four years later, she is preparing to graduate as a doctor and begin Foundation Training, including specialist placements in haematology and medical research. For Tess, graduating as a doctor and developing expertise in an area linked to blood cancers is a fitting way to honour her father's memory.
Finding community and purpose at Ulster University’s School of Medicine
Fellow graduate Tatyana Sinaisky, 26, from County Dublin, also found her path into medicine shaped by personal experience.
Having lost her father to cancer at a young age, Tatyana initially pursued a career in nursing, completing a degree in Children's and General Nursing at University College Dublin.
Tatyana's decision to pursue medicine was influenced by a number of personal experiences. As a teenager, she vividly remembers the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks, when members of her Franco-Algerian family were living in the city.
"I remember sitting glued to the television and feeling completely helpless. It made me realise that if somebody was hurt, I wanted to have the skills to help them. I wanted to be able to do something practical rather than just watch events unfold."
After successfully completing the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT), Tatyana chose to study at Ulster University's School of Medicine. The graduate-entry programme's reputation for attracting students from a broad range of professional and academic backgrounds appealed to her, offering the chance to build on her nursing experience while learning alongside classmates with diverse perspectives and experiences.
While medical school was challenging, she says the support and camaraderie among her classmates helped carry students through the demands of the programme.
Tatyana said:
"There were definitely times during medical school when I questioned myself, but what got us through was the support of the people around us. Everyone looked out for one another. It wasn't competitive or cut-throat. There was a real sense of community."
She credits both her classmates and the city of Derry~Londonderry for helping create a supportive environment throughout her studies.
One of her earliest memories of medical school was a spontaneous class trip to Buncrana beach during a first-week heatwave, which helped forge friendships that would sustain students through the challenges of the next four years.
"The camaraderie was something really special. Whether it was studying together, checking in on each other during difficult placements, or sharing tea and encouragement before exams, everyone played a part in helping each other succeed."
Having completed clinical placements across Northern Ireland, including Derry~Londonderry, Craigavon, Antrim and Belfast, Tatyana says the experience of working across a range of hospital and community settings has helped shape her development as a doctor. As she prepares to begin Foundation Training, she remains particularly interested in emergency medicine, paediatrics and adolescent health.
Graduating as doctors after overcoming adversity
Both graduates say their experiences have reinforced the importance of resilience, compassion and supporting others through difficult times.
Reflecting on graduation, Tess said:
"Life is complicated and things don't always go to plan. Sometimes the path you start on isn't the one you finish on, and that's okay.
"You're never too old to change your life. Four years ago, I took a chance on medicine because it was something I'd always wanted to do. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that age should never stop you pursuing something you're passionate about.
"I was 32 when I started medicine and I'm graduating at 36. Looking back, the experiences that felt like setbacks at the time helped shape the person and doctor I've become."
For Tess, graduating as a doctor also represents a way of honouring her father's memory.
"My father's illness changed the direction of my life. It was an incredibly difficult experience, but it ultimately led me to where I am today. Being able to graduate as a doctor and begin helping others feels like a fitting way to honour that journey."
Tatyana added:
"Medicine has challenged me in ways I never expected, but it has also shown me the importance of teamwork, kindness and community. I'm excited for what comes next."
As they graduate this summer and begin their medical careers, both hope their journeys will inspire others facing setbacks, uncertainty or loss to keep pursuing their ambitions.
