Name: Martin Van
Year: BSc Med Sci
Role: President
When I became a member of Ogston in my first year I couldn’t imagine I would end up as President in my forth year… But I’m happy I did and because of involvement in Ogston I have met incredible people, learnt many new skills and been inspired countless times.
I was born in Sweden and there’s a Swedish saying: “God och glad kex-choklad”
Basically, I am excited to continue our so far successful year of events!
I would also like to say a big thank you to all the people of the Ogston committee which has made this a fantastic year and it is thanks to their skill and dedication that we can deliver high quality educational events. So I encourage you all to get involved and discover an environment where you will grow in all aspects… after all that’s where it all started for me.
Other Memberships: Aberdeen University Dance Society
Interesting Fact: I beat my friends in a sushi eating competition in Hungary 2009 – 64 plates(!) in 4 hours.
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Name: Ryan Adams
Year: 3rd Year Medicine
Role: Vice-President
I came to medical school thinking I wanted to be a surgeon, but with an open mind to pursue whichever topic that I enjoyed most. I only really became properly involved in Ogston after my second year and it’s really given me a proper insight into what a surgical career might mean. This has been invaluable and now I think it’s only right that I give a little back, so others can gain the same perspective.
This is how I came to stick my hand up at the AGM last year to put myself forward for vice-president. I'm normally quite a confident guy and also I wouldn't say I've got a way with words, the speech went off pretty well and so here I am.
I don't think any of us could have asked for a better committee, with everyone on the same page and aiming to push the Ogston Society onwards and upwards.
Other Memberships: Aberdeen Universities Officer Training Corps, Aberdeen Student Charities Campaign Committee
Interesting Fact: I ran a marathon last year.
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Name: Caitlin MacLeod
Role: Secretary
Year: 3rd Year Medicine
Hi there! So like many of my fellow committee memebers, I joined Ogston as a fresh-faced first year. I'm from Glasgow, and I had the idea that I would like to pursue surgery (the two may or may not be related ...), but I should probably keep an open-mind ... now I'm in third year, and I still like surgery. Ogston has provided me with lots of opportunities to gain an insight as to the exciting and challenging future that surgery could offer. It's also given me the chance to meet some really great and inspirational people; so it made sense to me to get involved and help create these opportunities for other people. Working with the rest of the committee has been a pretty fantastic experience, and I look forward to the rest of the year ahead!
Other Memberships: Aberdeen University Archery Club, Aberdeen ACES
Interesting Fact: Hmm, well I once absailed down the side of a church ... I was also involved in a bank heist* - ssshhh!!
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*Well a fake one ...
Name: Allan Green
Year: 5th Year Medicine
Role: Secretary
I’ve been part of the Ogston society from first year although this is my first year on the committee. There have been lots of great events and talks and it’s also a great place to meet students from other years. This year I’ve been helping setup the new website and get the mailing lists running.
Other Memberships: CMF
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Name: Nina Goergen 
Year: 4th Year Medicine
Role: Treasurer
I’m having a great time being part of the committee and am enjoying 4th year quite a bit.
Some noteworthy facts (or so I have been told): I’m tall, erm... yes. German..that explains it! I need to use “the inside voice” when I’m talking to people. I guess that means I can be loud 0_0
After moving for the third time since coming to Aberdeen two years ago, I seem to have settled with: Stacy, the president of WMS (that’s commitment to a society! ), Samantha, a Canadian 2ndyear medic, Cosmo (cat) and Jack (parrot). Good choice J
Before coming to Scotland I stopped off for a little while in England and acquired a BA in Creative Writing and History. An access to medicine course bridged the divide between art and medicine and I consider myself now at home in Aberdeen and medicine. It remains to be seen which specialty I’m being called to do since I am interested in orthopaedics, plastics, general as well as vascular surgery.
Other memberships: Wilderness Medical Society, PsychEd, Christian Medical Fellowship
Interesting fact: I got baptized in the North Sea in September 2010. And no, it was not freezing cold; I would have gone swimming if they had let me.
E-mail:
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Name: Adam Young
Year: 3rd Year Medicine
Role: Talks Organiser
Hi! Well I’m a Geordie born and bred; I’m the one on the left of the rhino mandible in that photo by the way! I moved to Aberdeen in 2009 to start medical school. I joined Ogston in my first year and last year I was my year’s rep. I hope to continue my activity with Ogston as time ticks by.
I have an undergraduate BSc(Hons) in Anatomical Sciences from the University of Dundee and I worked as an Anatomy Technician from 2008-2009 at an English medical school.
Other Memberships: Aberdeen University Marrow (Also an RCSed Affiliate)
Interesting Fact: I was an exchange student to Japan in the year 2000, for 2 and ½ weeks.
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Name: Robert Kisiel
Year: 4th Year Medicine
Role: Basic Core Surgical Workshop Organiser
I first joined Ogston in 2008, first as a regular member and recently deciding to give something back through Committee work.
My family home is back in Poland and I try to visit as frequently as possible. If I was to choose 3 things I’d like to have here in Scotland, it would be my family, my few high school friends and the means to prepare traditional Polish dishes.
Medicine is my second degree - I first graduated with BSc (Hons) in Psychology (also at University of Aberdeen).
Other Memberships: Aberdeen University Wilderness Medical Society, Friends of MSF (Medecins Sans Frontieres), Aberdeen University Dance Society
Interesting Fact: The thesis project during my previous degree focused on how sleep deprivation affects motor learning. Being the supervisor for the experimental arm of the study, I had to deprive myself of sleep as well - not an experience I would want to repeat!
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Name: Jared Wohlgemut 
Year: 4th Year Medicine
Role: Practical Procedures Workshop Co-ordinator
I joined Ogston this year to learn practically and theoretically what life as a surgeon would be like, and to help others find answers to that query as well. I am a post graduate medical student, having completed an Honours degree in Biomedical Science from the University of Guelph in my native Canada. Experiences in Galmi Hospital (Niger, West Africa) in 2007 and Kijabe Hospital (near Nairobi, Kenya) in 2009 have opened my eyes to the wonders and challenges that a surgical career could offer. Come check it out, you might like it!
Other Memberships: Friends of MSF (Doctors Without Borders), AUCU (Aberdeen University Christian Union)
Interesting Fact: I’ve planted over 200,000 trees in Canada.
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Name: Keiran Clement
Year: 3rd Year
Role: Educational Convener
This is my first year on the Ogston Committee but I’ve been going to the lectures and workshops sine first year. I moved from Dundee to Aberdeen in 2009 to start uni straight after school. The picture of me was taken this summer at the end of the trek to Machu Picchu and my Dad for my birthday managed to get it in to the Dundee United newsletter considering the top I had on at the time!
Other Memberships: Aberdeen University Whisky Society, Aberdeen University Mens Football Club
Interesting Fact: I learned to swim before I learned to walk.
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Name: Melvin Joy
Year: 5th Year Medicine
Role: Health and Safety
I have been a member of Ogston since first year and have been in the committee for the last two years. I can genuinely say that being part of the society has been extremely inspiring and fun. It has provided me with opportunities to explore my interest in surgery and I am thankful for what it has offered me. I became a committee member to give something back and hopefully help other students choose surgery as a future career.
I look forward to organising surgical skills workshops this year and help the society grow and achieve its goals.
Other memberships: AU Table Tennis Club
Interesting fact: Err...I'm trilingual if that counts.
Name: Natalie Maple
Year: 1st Year Medicine
Role: 1st Year Representative
Hi, so having been in Aberdeen for less than a term, I’ve survived beerienteering, learnt that if you go to the cinema for a quite night out that the majority of the screen is full of medics and discovered the bane of every 1st year- the cost of laundry!!
I decided to go along to the first Ogston talk and workshop, and that was it for me... so I asked to join the committee and now I’m looking forward to the next year as part of Ogston!
What I would say to any potential newbie is that joining the society helps to make the course more rounded and it opens your eyes to the opportunities available. I would say come join and experience something different and see if it’s for you!!!
Other memberships: Wilderness Medical Society, ACES, Aberdeen Marrow Society
Interesting Fact: I’ve signed the Official Secrets Act …
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Name: Hassen Ahmeidat
Year: 2nd Year Medicine
Role: 2nd Year Class Representative
I first became a member of Ogston in my first year and it has been one the best experiences in medical school so far! After joining the committee this year, I’ve had the opportunity to meet some interesting like-minded people. I’ve enjoyed every moment so far and hope to continue my involvement. And it would be an understatement if I said, OGSTON IS AWESOME!!!
Other Memberships: Aberdeen Ju-jitsu Club
Interesting Fact: I like martial arts.
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Name: Lee Nisbet
Year : 3rd Year Medicine
Role : 3rd Year Class Representative
Hi! Well I came to Aberdeen to start Medical School in 2009. Previous to that, I graduated from the University of Dundee with a BSc(Hons) in Anatomy and Physiology.
I have been a member of Ogston since year 1 and this is the first year that I have been part of the committee.
Other memberships: Aberdeen ACES
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Name: Kate Annan
Year: 4th Year Medicine
Role: Inverness Representative
I signed up for the Ogston Society before I actually reached Aberdeen! Ogston has provided me with many opportunities to learn and practice important skills, and meet many Aberdeen Surgeons. Last year I was treasurer; this year I'm a remote and rural student so I've taken on the role of Inverness representative.
I look forward to seeing those of you with placements here over the year. For those of you who don't, I'll see you on the videolink.
Other Memberships: Aberdeen University Canoe Club
Interesting Fact: I like like hurtling downstream and off waterfalls in a banana-coloured piece of plastic.
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Name: Clare Morgan
Year: 4th Year Medicine
Role: 4th Year Class Representative
Hello, I am a fourth year and I have been a member of Ogston since first year and am back this year as 4th year rep having last year been responsible for organising the surgical workshops . As for "facts about me" I enjoy horse riding, travelling and swimming. I would just add that if anyone is thinking about going for a committee position in Ogston to definitely go for it!
Yours,
Clare Morgan
