Graduating today with a degree in Professional Nursing, Glenn McDowell is an outstanding example of where creativity, compassion and innovation meet, to achieve a profound impact beyond lecture halls and clinical settings.

During his time at Queen’s, Glenn spearheaded an innovative public health initiative by developing an interactive digital game designed to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer. 

Pancreatic cancer is a disease with a notoriously low survival rate due to delayed diagnoses, but the real-world impact of this interactive approach was immense.

The game, created in collaboration with Northern Ireland Pancreatic Cancer (NIPANC) and Focus Games, engages users with an anatomical diagram and quizzes to educate them about the symptoms of pancreatic cancer and the importance of early detection.

A study involving 727 participants demonstrated significant increases in both symptom awareness and help-seeking intentions. The game has since been played over 5,000 times in more than 40 countries, cementing its role as a valuable tool in global health education.

For Glenn, nursing was a calling inspired by a lifelong interest in the care and wellbeing of others. With encouragement from family, Glenn returned to education after over a decade in the hospitality industry and today graduates with a BSc in Professional Nursing. 

Reflecting on his return to education, Glenn said:

“I wanted to be part of something that could make a real difference and after learning the horrifying statistics on pancreatic cancer, it soon became clear that we had the opportunity to do just that.

“Early diagnosis is so important with pancreatic cancer and our public health campaign using the serious game really pushed this message.”

Glenn’s work extended beyond the game itself. With the support and connections from academics at Queen’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, he presented the project at the Chief Nursing Officer Conference in 2023, represented Queen’s on a regional stage, and shared insights on pancreatic cancer awareness in the Royal College of Nursing Student Magazine, which reaches over 400,000 healthcare professionals.

He also participated in community outreach, including afternoon teas with patients and academic presentations, bridging the gap between research and real-world application.

In recognition of his work, Glenn was nominated for the Student Nurse of the Year (Adult) category at the Student Nursing Times Awards 2024 and shortlisted among the top 10 in the UK. While he didn’t take home the award, Glenn described it as being “hugely motivational to be among the leaders of our profession.”

Now an emergency nurse at the Mater Hospital’s Emergency Department, Glenn is adjusting to the fast-paced demands of his new role while maintaining a strong connection with Queen’s.

“Queens have been fantastic, and in particular, Dr Gary Mitchell MBE who has been a constant mentor to me throughout my journey here and provided me multiple opportunities including this one and numerous other projects.” 

As Glenn begins a new professional journey, he’s eager to further his education and continue making a difference in the lives of others.

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