Green Templeton medics take a walk around Oxford’s history

Richard Doll Society President Felix Radtke (DPhil Medical Sciences, 2022) reports on a recent Oxford tour with a difference

On 10 May the Richard Doll Society, Green Templeton’s student-run medical and allied health care society, partnered with Uncomfortable Oxford to host a History of Medicine Oxford Tour, a thought-provoking exploration of Oxford’s medical past. This event engaged RDS members in confronting the complex and often unsettling history of medicine – both from the context of the community seeking healthcare, but also from the perspective of healthcare providers.

Guided by an expert, the tour traced Oxford’s medical history from medieval plagues to the pioneering trials of penicillin. The tour confronted uncomfortable truths, examining health inequities, ethical controversies, and the influence of race, class, and gender on medicine.

The tour encouraged students to question the tensions inherent in medical advancements and their societal impacts. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of how historical narratives shape modern healthcare.

The Uncomfortable Oxford History of Medicine Tour was a great opportunity to foster RDS’s mission. The society is supported by donations to the college’s Annual Fund, which helps students make the most of their time at Oxford.

For more details about RDS and upcoming events, have a look at the society’s 2025 calendar. You are highly encouraged to save the date for the annual RDS conference on 27 September 2025.