Holly Leigh Spencer, Sarah Lancaster and Alexandra Lisitsyna have been announced as the winners of this year’s Norah Schuster prize. Organised by the RSM History of Medicine Society, the annual prize awards the best essays on the history of medicine or medical science by undergraduates.
The three winners were presented their awards before an audience at the Royal Society of Medicine during an event promoting the history of medicine to undergraduate students on Wednesday 12 March. The event also included the Bynum lecture, which was delivered by Professor Madjid Samii, with his presentation 'Pushing Boundaries and Forging New Directions: The Creation of the Subspecialty of Skull Base Surgery.' Each winner received a prize of a year's RSM membership.
Holly Leigh Spencer, Medical student at the University of Nottingham 
'The Angel of Death and His Colleagues – Lessons from Nazi Medicine' explored the significant role Nazi medical professionals played in shaping the trajectory of modern medicine. Despite being fuelled by pseudoscientific ideologies and a lack of ethical considerations, this piece acknowledges that these professionals laid the foundations for further research across various fields of medicine. Perhaps most importantly, they contributed to the creation of the principles of modern medical ethics.
Here’s what winning the award means to Holly: "I submitted a piece of work on the developments in medicine that were a result of Nazi experimentation. As a Jewish person who had ancestors lost to the Holocaust, having my research in to the area recognised is invaluable. I am exceptionally grateful that members of the History of Medicine Society recognise the importance of this dark era of medicine, and shared powerful and enlightening discussions with me."
Sarah Lancaster, Medical Student at Brighton and Sussex Medical School
'Ancient Civilizations and Their Impacts on Reproductive Health' focused on the impact of ancient civilisations on modern reproductive health, encompassing contraception, fertility, and menstrual disorders. It featured research from Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, and Ancient Greece, with each civilisation building on the previous knowledge passed down through ancient texts to further their own medical practices.
On winning the award Sarah said: "This is the first prize I have received during my degree, and I am honoured that it recognises work in a lesser-explored area of medicine. As someone deeply passionate about ancient history, it is incredibly rewarding to have applied that interest in a way that has led to this achievement."
Alexandra Lisitsyna, Medical student at Imperial College London
'Pivotal Moments in the History of Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment' provides an overview of the prominent figures, discoveries, and texts that have shaped medicine into what it is today. This essay discusses how the techniques and reasons for trepanation have evolved, the changes in views on conservative treatment, and the evolution of anatomical understanding. It takes the reader through the history of how traumatic head injuries were treated, from the Mesolithic era, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, and Ancient Rome, to the Medieval and Renaissance periods, the era of Harvey Cushing, and finally, the 21st century.
"Winning the Norah Schuster prize is an honour," comments Alexandra. "Having my work recognised by such influential people is a great motivator to continue progressing in the 'History of Medicine' field. This occasion has strengthened my essay-writing and presenting skills, and inspired me to research more about our medical past."
RSM prizes and awards offer career-enhancing opportunities to present work in front of leading consultants and senior healthcare professionals at our prestigious building. Find out what prizes and awards are currently open to submissions here.
Find out more about the History of Medicine Society here.
