Meet Maria

Maria Guemes Hidalgo, from Spain, has just recently finished a Clinical Research Fellowship in the Endocrinology department at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). We find out more about her experience: 

What was your role at GOSH? 

As a Clinical Research Fellow, my time is divided evenly between periods where I conduct research for a PhD in the lab and clinical duties at GOSH in the Endocrinology department. The latter included: acting as a liaison point for the day-to-day management of inpatients and outpatients with endocrine conditions; providing support to local hospitals; presenting results of stimulation tests at the weekly grand round; teaching nursing staff and junior doctors; presenting cases at meetings; and carrying out audit projects. I was also encouraged to get involved with research taking place within the department. 

What did you enjoy most about working at GOSH? 

I benefitted from many positive experiences on both personal and professional level, but the single most important one was working with the professionals at GOSH. They are experts in their field providing world-class medical care, extremely motivated, dedicated and continuously fighting to provide the best care for their patients. Moreover, working closely with, and learning from colleagues from all over the world, from different cultures and backgrounds is uniquely enriching. The rare pathologies and novel diagnostic/therapeutic strategies that one encounters at GOSH, make it an exceptional, highly stimulating environment for a training physician. 

Do you have any advice for anyone who is thinking about doing a fellowship at GOSH? 

A fellowship at GOSH will change your perspective on medical practice and will encourage you to want to be the best doctor possible, keeping up with the latest medical practice. It may open many doors to attractive job opportunities and will likely stimulate your research hunger!