We are delighted to congratulate this year’s recipients of the Donald Dean Award, Lucy Chappel Ma18, Connor Elliot-Murray L19 and Rachel Ko S20. This prestigious award supports Old Canfordians as they embark on their medical electives, enabling them to gain invaluable experience in medical environments across the world.

The Donald Dean Award is part of the legacy of the late Dr Donald Dean, whose remarkable career spanned continents. Born in Manchester in 1927, Dr Dean overcame early adversity, graduating from university in 1953. His work as a medical doctor for British Petroleum took him to Aden, Nigeria, Trinidad, Abu Dhabi, and Kuwait, where he played a pivotal role in establishing hospitals and medical services. After retiring as Senior Medical Officer for BP, he became the Chief Medical Officer at the Chamber of Shipping and was later awarded a Fellowship of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine for his contributions to occupational medicine in tropical countries. His passion for global healthcare continues to inspire generations of Canfordians through this award.

If you are an OC interested in applying for the 2025 Donald Dean Award, applications are now open. The award offers up to £1,500 in funding to support medical electives, helping successful applicants gain hands-on experience in diverse healthcare settings. The deadline for applications is 9th November 2025.

For full details on the application process and eligibility, please visit the Donald Dean Award webpage. We look forward to hearing from aspiring medical professionals looking to follow in Dr Dean’s inspirational footsteps.