A Birmingham City University Radiotherapy graduate has won a prestigious award which will be presented by the Society of Radiographers at a ceremony in November.
Lily Aston, who now works in the Cancer Centre at Royal Stoke University Hospital, was nominated by Lisa Pharaoh-Stokes, Birmingham City University’s Course Lead for Radiotherapy, after achieving a first class degree from the institution.
Birmingham City University offers a three year Radiotherapy course, the only one if its kind in the Midlands, covering oncology, radiotherapy technology and psychosocial issues surrounding cancer care, preparing graduates to become fully qualified Therapeutic Radiographers.
As part of her degree, Lily decided to travel to Antigua and study at the Cancer Centre Eastern Caribbean, where she worked with a diverse population across a group of islands. In May, Lily became the face of therapeutic radiography in Health Education England’s latest campaign to raise the profile of the profession as a career option.
Lily said: “It is such an honour to be recognised by the Society of Radiographers, and I am absolutely over the moon to win this award. When I started training when I was 21, I never had any idea that I would end up getting something like this. I’d like to thank every single person who’s supported me along the way for your support and confidence in me – I’d never have got here without you.”
Julie Hall, who was Lily’s academic tutor at the university, said: “The team are extremely proud of Lily achieving her much deserved first class honours degree, but she is outstanding in more than just her grades.
“We genuinely feel that she has all of the caring and technical attributes that we would want to see in a therapeutic radiographer. We would be perfectly happy to be a patient in her care or have her care for the people we love.”
Lily will receive £250 and a certificate to commemorate the award.
