A Journey of Determination and Achievement
Talha Sufi, a 29-year-old from Bolton, has achieved his dream of becoming a doctor through sheer determination and perseverance. His journey to medical school was not a straightforward one but rather a carefully planned path that involved completing multiple academic qualifications over the course of 10 years.
Talha began his educational journey at the University of Central Lancashire by enrolling in the three-year BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science programme. This foundational degree provided him with a solid understanding of the biological sciences, which he later built upon by pursuing a two-year physician associate postgraduate course. His commitment to his goals did not stop there; he continued to push forward and eventually secured a place on the highly competitive five-year Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) course.
Throughout his studies, Talha remained focused on his ultimate goal: to become a doctor and serve his community. He explained, “From the very start, my goal was clear – I wanted to become a doctor. Instead of taking the traditional route, I built my path in stages and that has meant spending 10 years at university and completing an undergraduate degree, a postgraduate diploma and now finally medical school.”
Balancing work, family, and study proved to be a significant challenge for Talha, especially as a mature student. He shared, “Juggling the demands of work, family and study was hard while being a mature student. I had to find the balance so I could study, work part-time as a physician associate at a GP surgery in Deepdale, undertake placements at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital and find time for my family. However, with my family support, my whole journey was made possible.”
Now, Talha is in the final stages of his training, completing a mandatory two-year junior doctor programme at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. He has moved to Dewsbury and is gaining valuable experience in various areas of medicine.
The university played a crucial role in shaping his career, offering him exposure to different sectors of healthcare. Talha noted, “The university provided useful links and exposure to a variety of health sectors such as GP placements, surgical and medical rotations and first-hand teaching from hospital consultants. I’m looking forward to taking all this knowledge into my career.”
Looking ahead, Talha aims to specialise in general practice and eventually open his own surgery. His vision is to serve his local community and improve the health of those in need. He said, “In the coming years, I want to build my own surgery to serve my local community and really improve the health of those who are in need of health services. I want to have a wider impact on health improvement and the provision of social services for those who are struggling.”
Talha is particularly passionate about addressing the challenges faced by the elderly and ethnic minority communities, who often struggle to access healthcare. He hopes to bridge this gap by providing compassionate and quality care. His journey serves as an inspiration to others, proving that with dedication and hard work, dreams can be achieved.
