Previous Co-chairs

In their time with MedRACE, our previous student co-chairs have each progressed various areas of MedRACE work, including development and delivery of EDI and active bystander training, and the creation of an inclusive curriculum toolkit. They have represented MedRACE at numerous conferences and meetings and remain linked to MedRACE as graduates.

Kiran Bhavra, Student Co-chair 2023-2024

When appointed to her role as student co-chair, Kiran wrote, 'I became interested in equality, diversity and inclusion during my first year when I submitted a successful motion to the BMA Medical Students Conference 2021 stating that active bystander training should be mandatory to all medical students across the UK in pre-clinical years. 

From this, I got involved with MedRACE in helping co-develop and co-deliver active bystander training to medical students for the last few years. I also became the EDI Student Representative for LMS and participate in meetings with staff regarding equality initiatives in the medical school. Inspired by MedRACE, I later went on to help co-create the Midlands Racial Equality in Medicine Network (MREM) in 2022 and later went to be Conference Director for the second annual MREM conference held at Leicester in March. 

Outside of EDI, I am a biochemistry graduate from the University of Nottingham. I am my happiest when cooking and baking and love going for a long walk or run outdoors. If I’m not doing either of those, you’ll often find me binge watching Harry Potter or Come Dine with Me. 

In my role as Co-chair I hope to focus on sustainability for the future of MedRACE, with specific focus on solidifying and growing allyship within the medical school and the University. Alongside Amar, I hope to continue the growth and success of MedRACE by recruiting and inspiring more students and staff to join us as we continue to be at the forefront of change. 

Looking at the success of MedRACE over the past few years, I’m really excited to get involved with even more teaching sessions, workshops and projects. To make it even better, I feel incredibly honoured to be working in this position with the incredible Amar!'

Takunda Nhiwatiwa, Founding Student Co-chair, 2020-2023

When appointed to her role as student co-chair, Takunda wrote, 'I became interested in EDI and decolonising the curriculum following the BMA Racial Harassment Charter release, and used this as a way to channel the anger I felt at the many racial injustices I was facing at the time. Since joining, I have worked to decolonise the way dermatology is taught at Leicester, as well as co-developing and co-delivering bystander training to medical students. I have also appeared on a few podcasts discussing wider topics surrounding the charter and the work we do.

Outside of MedRACE, I am a Newcastle Physiological Sciences graduate, where my interest was reproductive health, on which I wrote my dissertation. This interest has continued and I am currently heavily involved with local and national sexual health charities, including on national boards, with the aim of delivering inclusive SRE to schools and the wider public. I have worked previously as a HCA and a support worker in both the disability and psychiatric sector, as well as volunteering for almost a decade. On open days you will likely find me in the demonstration room testing your lung function, or chatting your ear off on a student panel. My hobbies include dancing, baking, binge watching reality TV, and learning sign language; sometimes all at once!

In my role as co-chair I hope to further facilitate the group within the medical school to empower students and staff alike to lobby for change. I would also like to achieve further review/decolonisation of units, as well as increase collaboration with other courses and societies.'

Wendy Tetteh, Founding Student Co-chair, 2020-2023

When appointed to her role as student co-chair, Wendy wrote, 'I am a graduate entry medical student having studied Anatomy and Physiology at The University of Dundee. Following on from events that happened in 2020 such as the murder of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd there was widespread anger in the world and the work that the Black Lives Matter movement had been doing for years came to the forefront. The BMA Racial Harassment Charter was released, and Leicester Medical School made a commitment to sign up to it. I felt compelled to get involved in some capacity and got involved in the formation of what was then known as the BMA Charter Working Group. Now officially known as MedRACE I have been a part of several different projects such as co-developing and co-delivering EDI lectures and active bystander training to both students and patient educators. Outside of MedRACE I have an interest in surgery and have been involved in research concerning this. I also enjoy sports and play for the University Netball Team. When not doing that, I can be found sampling the baked goodies that Takunda makes (which I can confirm are delicious!).

As a student co-chair I hope to contribute further to aiding the great work the group has accomplished so far! From the changes that occur in policies implemented, to the events hosted in celebrating achievements from underrepresented groups my hope is MedRACE continues to contribute towards building a more inclusive and supportive environment for students and staff alike.'