Alumni profile: Samantha Hettige

Samantha Hettige (Clinical Medicine, 2001) is a consultant neurosurgeon with a specialist interest in paediatric neurosurgery. She currently works in the Atkinson Morley Department in St George’s Hospital, London.

In addition to her clinical duties, she serves on the Senior Executive Council for the Society of British Neurological Surgeons (SBNS), is the Scientific Chair of the British Paediatric Neurosurgical Group, and is a member of the examiners’ panel for the FRCS (SN) exam.

Samantha writes

After studying pre-clinical medicine for 3 years a Trinity College, Cambridge, I moved to Green College (as it then was) for the clinical portion of my medical degree. I was somewhat reluctant to move to the “dark side”, as us Tabs used to call Oxford, but my reservations were dispelled during the open day when I visited the impressive clinical school and hospital.

At Green College, I took full opportunity of the international placements on offer. I went to Prague for Obs and Gynae where I delivered babies, and to South Africa for a paediatric placement. In Cape Town, we were placed in the middle of a township, where we saw our fair share of horrors and some of us were threatened with guns.

For my elective, I travelled to Kuala Lumpur to work in an emergency department, and then to Sydney for neurosciences. A pivotal moment occurred during a special study module at the old Radcliffe Infirmary when I watched a surgeon remove a brain tumour with a teaspoon. This was the moment I fell in love with neurosurgery.

Throughout my time at Green, I embraced my social nature and took on several roles. From 2001 to 2002, I was publicity officer on the Green College Ball committee. We put on a very successful “magical” themed ball, complete with bouncy castle and bucking bronco. The following year, I was elected social secretary for the Green College student union, where there were many ad hoc discos in the Green College bar.

I took my tasks as social secretary very seriously. In one memorable instance, I invited Professor Sir Richard Doll for a pint in the bar after halfway dinner. He accepted, and we danced together to some questionable hard-core funk.

One of my favourite duties in this role was putting on the communal Sunday brunch in the Green College common room, a tradition I hope continues [and that does].

For the medical school, I took on further positions. In 2003, I was elected bar manager for Osler House Club, the medical school student union, and co-edited the medical student leaver’s yearbook.

As well as falling in love with neurosurgery, I also found love at Green. In a true cliché, I met my husband, Daniel Sokol, at the college, when he was studying for a Master’s in the history of medicine.

Today, I practise neurosurgery full time at St George’s Hospital in London, treating patients of all ages, from neonates to adults, dealing with both brain and spinal pathology. The work can be demanding but it is hugely rewarding and enjoyable. I have not, to date, removed a tumour with a teaspoon.

I am grateful to Green Templeton College for shaping my career and life in general, and for the cherished memories, lifelong colleagues and friends created there.