04/08/2026
Proud of our student Gabriela, who took the initiative and arranged a placement abroad.
The Medical Education Team would like to congratulate Gabriela, a visiting medical student from Palacký University Olomouc, following her placement with NHS Grampian. During her time with us, Gabriela spent valuable time learning alongside colleagues in a number of departments, particularly within Neurology, where she made a positive impression on staff and patients alike. Throughout her placement, she consistently demonstrated professionalism, enthusiasm and a strong commitment to learning, while actively seeking out additional opportunities to broaden her clinical experience. Reflecting on her time in NHS Grampian, Gabriela shared the following thoughts about her experience:
“My time with NHS Grampian has been nothing short of extraordinary. From my very first day, I was welcomed with such kindness and generosity that I immediately felt part of the team. Every healthcare professional I had the privilege of working alongside was incredibly supportive, passionate and always willing to teach, creating an environment where I felt encouraged to ask questions, challenge myself and make the most of every opportunity.
I was fortunate to gain experience in both neurology and neurosurgery, as well as stroke medicine, neurophysiology and outpatient clinics. Being able to follow patients across such a wide range of neurological care gave me a much deeper understanding of the specialty and further strengthened my passion for pursuing a career in neurology. Learning from clinicians who combine exceptional expertise with genuine compassion for their patients has been truly inspiring, and it has shown me the kind of doctor I hope to become.
Of course, adapting to the Scottish weather was occasionally a challenge, but even on the rainiest days, there was always something new to learn and someone willing to help. It was the warmth of the people that made every day memorable. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to complete my elective here.”
Gabriela was supervised by consultant neurologist Dr John Reid who shared the following:
“Gabriela was an exemplary student and blended very well with all the Neurology team. She took advantage of additional learning opportunities to spend time with the Acute Stroke and Neurosurgical team. Having benefitted from an overseas elective myself as a student, the opportunity to welcome students in the summer when University of Aberdeen students are on holiday, offers a rich experience for all.”
Our Undergraduate Director of Medical Education Dr Katrina Shearer, added:
“I would like congratulate Gabriela on a successful placement and thank all the teams who supported her during her time with NHS Grampian. This experience highlights the important role our staff play in shaping future medical professionals. We wish Gabriela every success and look forward to hearing about her future endeavours.”
