Dr Cynthia Das
Dr Cynthia Das, GP and Deputy Medical Director and Clinical Director for the University Health Service reflects on her passion for helping people and the importance of her family.
Dr Cynthia Das, GP and Deputy Medical Director and Clinical Director for the University Health Service, Student Support Services.
After graduating from the University of Sheffield and completing her General Practitioner (GP) training, Cynthia joined the University Health Service (UHS). Cynthia has a passion for student healthcare and hopes to make a genuine difference in the lives of young people by sharing information on health and wellbeing that will support them throughout their lives.
As Lead GP for Women's Health, Cynthia has championed services in contraception and sexual health. Recognising that topics such as periods and contraception weren’t always discussed openly by students, Cynthia has led discussions that focus on education and encouraging and empowering women to share information within their own communities.
Cynthia and colleagues are currently working with other local institutions to plan a series of empowering talks for students that focus on healthy relationships and taking care of yourself.
Cynthia reflects on her passion for helping people and the importance of her family:
“I love talking to young people and in this job, I feel I can make a genuine difference to their lives. My mum used to love talking to young people and I think she passed that down to me.
“When coming to university, it’s often a young person’s first time away from home and in a way they're just getting started in their life as an adult. When talking with them, it's an opportunity to do some health promotion and teach them lessons they can take with them throughout their lives.
“Our students come to Sheffield from all over the world. Some may not have had the opportunity to talk openly about certain health topics such as periods, healthy relationships and how to take care of yourself. So whilst these students are visiting us at the UHS and are being cared for by us it’s an opportunity to talk with them and develop their understanding of health and wellbeing. My hope is that following these conversations our students feel empowered with health knowledge and that they can go on to apply it to their lives and positively impact their wellbeing.
“Building on this, we’re also working closely with other local institutions to plan a series of empowering talks for students on these topics. Much like with the conversations I have with students, my hope for these talks is that students can walk away having learnt something new that they can carry with them throughout their studies and beyond.
“The students, my home and work family, inspire me every day to be even better. My mum always wanted to be a doctor but due to circumstances was not able to fulfil her dream, however, she passed this passion for helping others to me. She always taught me to be compassionate and generous and to be more than what people assume you to be. Our family motto was always to treat others as you like others to treat you. I try to bring this into everything that I do and have passed it down to my children as well. I am so sad that my mum is not around to celebrate this recognition with me, but I dedicate this to her. She was the most determined and kindest person I knew.”
Thank you to all the women for taking the time to share their stories and reflections and for providing the information featured on these web pages.