Queen’s University student Connor Allison has been announced as one of eight students across the island of Ireland to be awarded an Ireland Healthcare Scholarship.

The Ireland Healthcare Scholarship Programme has been set up by United Health Foundation – the philanthropic foundation of Optum Ireland’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group – to support students from less-advantaged backgrounds who wish to pursue a degree in primary or specialised care, or emerging health care technologies.

Connor, who is from Milford in Co Donegal, is the first Queen's student to receive this scholarship. He has chosen to study Biochemistry with Professional Studies and as well as receiving annual financial assistance, he will be paired with a mentor and will participate in community volunteering activities.

Padraig Monaghan, Managing Director of Optum Ireland and UK, welcomed the eight new scholars onto the programme. He said: “This programme is helping to create additional and much needed healthcare professionals in Ireland. We have seen over recent years how these young people from diverse backgrounds have thrived with the support of the scholarship and I am delighted to announce this year’s recipients.” 

The Ireland Healthcare Scholarship programme is currently supporting 24 scholars across five universities on the island of Ireland - at Queen’s University Belfast, the University of Ulster, ATU Donegal, the University of Galway and the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences (Dublin).  

Media

For further info, contact IGFS communications officer Una Bradley on u.bradley@qub.ac.uk