Allied Health Professionals: Meet some of our incredible students

Allied Health Professions' (AHPs) Day

We are delighted to celebrate, Allied Health Professions' (AHPs) Day as we appreciate and recognise the extraordinary work of the entire AHP workforce.

Today in particular we celebrate our AHP students as we recognise, value and celebrate the excellent work and impact they are making and will make in the future.

Meet some of our incredible AHP students:

Niall Doherty, Speech and language Therapy

As an Ulster University Speech and Language student I am proud to be an Allied Health Professional. I chose an Allied Health Professional course at Ulster University, because I wanted to pursue a career in which I could help make a difference in the lives of others.

I chose Speech and Language Therapy as I had personal experience of using the service myself, as a child. From that time, it has always stuck in my mind as a career I would like to have, knowing the difference it can make to someone’s life.

What I like about Speech and Language Therapy is the wide variety of people you can work with, young and old, in a number of settings so that you can find the area that best suits your interests and skills.

Rebecca Logue, Dietetics

As an Ulster University Dietetics student, I am proud to be an allied health professional. I chose a career in Dietetics because I wanted to make a positive impact by helping individuals to improve their diets and lifestyles by using proven scientific knowledge and research so they can safely reach their desired goals for improved health and well-being.

Abbi-Jane Curran, Dietetics

As an Ulster University Dietetics student, I am proud to be an allied health professional. I chose a career in Dietetics because I want to educate and support people to make positive and practical choices in their life to achieve a good relationship with food and health.

'What inspired me to pursue a career in Dietetics was observing how we as consumers are constantly shown conflicting messages about what is good for our health, especially when it comes to food. I feel that it's really important to help support people in understanding how food relates to their health and empower them to make informed decisions.

We have been taught to believe that health looks a certain way, but this simply isn't the case for everyone. I believe everyone deserves to be supported in finding their version of health and peace with food. I'm very excited about starting my placement, the beginning of my career in Dietetics.

I know it's going to be challenging but I'm looking forward to embracing the changes and gaining more experience in this field.

Alastair White, Physiotherapy

As an Ulster University Physiotherapy student, I am proud to be an Allied Health Professional. I used to work in the construction industry and had been to several physiotherapists over the years and thought 'I'd like to do that'. I have been on placement on a stroke ward, working as part of a team helping patients to get up and walk and regain function.

It was very rewarding to see people improve while I was on the ward. Seeing a person go from unable to stand to walking out of a ward is a great feeling. Most of the work is done by the person, however pointing them in the right direction and progressing recovery is a very satisfying feeling.

Jessica Rush, Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging

As an Ulster University Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging student, I am proud to be an Allied Health Professional. I chose an allied health professional course at Ulster university because it combines my interests in patient care, physics and biology.

Diagnostic radiographers are crucial in the patients journey as most patients that come through the hospital doors undergo diagnostic tests. Radiography is one of the most innovative aspects of healthcare and there is a growing demand for diagnostic radiographers to provide accurate diagnostic imaging as more and more doctors rely on us for the next step in establishing the patient's treatment plan.