DR KAREN MCKNIGHT

CLASS OF 1987

Consultant Neurologist

My link to Belfast High School goes back to the 1970s when I attended Somerton House, the Preparatory Department of the School. I remember travelling to the “Big School” every week for games and also for science lessons in 1S as this class in Year 8 was also based at Somerton. When I was about 10, I decided that I wanted to become a doctor and this ambition remained throughout my time at school. I want to thank the supportive teachers who guided and encouraged me to achieve my dream.

I particularly enjoyed Upper Sixth although it was a very busy year. Time management was key as I prepared for Cambridge entrance exams and interview alongside all the U6 activities. Being Head Girl gave me many opportunities, such as representing the School at various events, which helped me develop confidence and life skills that I use to this day. I left school in 1987 with fond memories of inspiring teachers (especially Miss Palmer who taught me in P6), close friends and the many opportunities that the School offered.

The pre-clinical medical course at Cambridge was demanding but Belfast High School had prepared me well and I was elected a Senior Whitby Scholar at Downing College. I graduated with first-class honours in Medical Sciences before continuing to clinical studies at Magdalen College, University of Oxford. An elective in India had a huge impact on me, including experiencing the management of tropical diseases, but also witnessing the disparity in healthcare between private and public hospitals and the overall challenges of global healthcare.

My medical training continued with junior doctor posts at the John Radcliffe Hospital and then Addenbrooke’s Hospital where I became interested in neurology. I was an SHO at the Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy followed by six months at Queen Square, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London. I was awarded a Medical Research Council (MRC) Clinical Research Training Fellowship, which allowed me to undertake research in autoimmune seizure disorders before returning to Northern Ireland to complete my specialist training in neurology.

Now I work as a Consultant Neurologist with an interest in epilepsy and care for patients with a wide range of neurological conditions. It is a great privilege to look after patients and I find it a most rewarding job, although there are challenges at times. I am a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and a member of the Association of British Neurologists. I enjoy teaching medical students and junior doctors and am currently completing a Certificate in Medical Education at Queen’s University.

I am delighted to serve on the Board of Governors at Belfast High School and be able to give something back to the school that played such a key role in my life and career. I find great joy in witnessing the School’s continued success academically, in music and sport and also in the many extracurricular activities that are available.

My advice to current pupils is to take advantage of any opportunity that you are given, realise that there will be set-backs from time to time but keep going and know that Belfast High School will prepare you well for whatever you decide to do in the future.