30 June 2004

Sisters doing it for themselves

One Dundee family will never have to look far for health care advice again after next week when two sisters will graduate together from the University of Dundee, one as a Doctor and one as a Dentist.

Elizabeth (27) and Angela (23) Pilley will graduate in the same ceremony on Friday 2 July, taking the Hippocratic oath together before they embark on their medical careers.

Elizabeth has been studying for nine years. She took a degree in Immunology at Glasgow University but enjoyed the medical side of it so much that she started thinking about medicine. She applied to a few universities but Dundee was her first choice. Elizabeth will be based in Glasgow next year working in Gartnavel and Glasgow Royal Hospitals as a Pre-Registration House Officer. She was short listed for the distinction exam in her final year of study.

Angela is graduating as a Dentist with commendation. She has been studying at the University of Dundee for six years, one pre-dentistry year and five years dental training. She plans to do her General Professional Training in Anstruther and Glasgow next year and then move to the west of Scotland to practice.

Elizabeth said: "I'm really looking forward to starting my career and it's great to be graduating with my sister.

Angela said: "Friday will be a special day for our family. It will be really nice for our Mum and Dad to see us graduating together."

Angela and Elizabeth were both brought up in Dundee and attended St John’s High School. Their mum, Mrs Anna Pilley works at the University of Dundee as a secretary to cancer surgeon Professor Bob Steele in the Department of Surgery and Molecular Oncology.

Angela and Elizabeth’s family will be there to see the sisters graduate on Friday 2nd July at 10am in the Caird Hall.

By Jenny Marra, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk