International Day of Women and Girls in Science: An interview with Calleigh Pritchett

February 11th each year is a day dedicated to women and girls in science, and this year we had the privilege of interviewing inspirational medical student, Calleigh Pritchett.  

Calleigh Pritchett is a medical student at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland with a growing interest in surgery and a commitment to juvenile arthritis research and advocacy. Originally from Manitoba, Canada, she was diagnosed with Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (also known as Still's disease) at the age of three and is now in remission. Her early experiences as a patient, combined with a lifelong love of science, led her to pursue her studies in medicine. She hopes to one day pursue a surgical career alongside research and advocacy to better support children and families affected by juvenile arthritis. 

How did you get into science and medicine? Is it something you've always wanted to do? 

I’ve always known I wanted to go into science, even as a little girl. Growing up with my mom working as an optometrist, I assumed I’d follow a similar path, but in high school I realized optometry wasn’t quite the right fit for me. I felt more drawn towards medicine, especially the hands-on, high-pressure, problem-solving side and the idea of potentially becoming a surgeon one day. 

My personal experience also shaped my interest. I was diagnosed with Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, or Still’s disease, when I was very young. I don’t remember much of it myself, but hearing my parents’ stories and living with the constant worry that it could return definitely influenced me. Being around hospitals and healthcare teams from such a young age, combined with my love of science and helping people, made medicine feel like a natural fit.

What did your path into medicine look like?

My path into medicine wasn’t completely traditional. I had always considered it, but growing up in Canada, the admission process is incredibly competitive, requiring completion of a full Bachelor’s degree before applying to medicine. I wasn’t sure if that was a route I wanted to pursue right away. 

The idea really came to light when one of my mom’s patients mentioned she was going overseas to study medicine in Ireland. That conversation stuck with me. Later that spring, I went on a three-month exchange to Hamburg, Germany, and with some extra time there, I started researching Irish programs. 

I discovered the direct-entry pathway, which allowed students to enter straight from high school. It felt like an exciting and practical opportunity, so I applied, went through the interview process, and was fortunate to receive an offer. Accepting it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. 

What’s it like being a medical student?

It’s challenging, but incredibly rewarding. I’m in a six-year program and currently in my foundation year (Med 0). While the workload and amount of content are intense, it’s exciting to see concepts come together and feel yourself slowly growing closer to the reality of becoming a doctor one day. 

What makes it especially meaningful are the hands-on and extracurricular experiences outside of the classroom. I’m on our SimWars team, where we compete in emergency simulation scenarios and practice communication, teamwork, and thinking under pressure.

I also joined the Surgical Society committee as a Freshers Representative, which has been such a great experience. I help the main committee with events and run introductory surgical skills sessions for students. Being able to practice these skills this early has really helped me explore my interests, especially in surgery. Overall, it’s busy, but it’s such a fun and fulfilling environment to learn in. 

What, or who, are you inspired by?

The future of medicine really inspires me. There’s still so much we don’t know about the human body, and it’s exciting to think our generation will help drive new discoveries and improve patient care. With my own history of Systemic JIA, I’m especially interested in getting involved in juvenile idiopathic arthritis research one day, particularly Systemic JIA. It’s a condition that still isn’t fully understood, and I’d love to help advance knowledge and support families who’ve had similar experiences. 

On a personal level, my biggest inspiration is my mom. Watching her dedication to her patients throughout her career has shown me what genuine compassion, understanding and commitment to healthcare looks like, and it’s something I try to model in my own journey.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about their future career?

Don’t be afraid to go after what you really want. Follow what genuinely excites you and don’t let fear or competitiveness stop you from trying. The worst someone can say is no, but you’ll never know unless you try. 

Rejection is part of the process; it doesn’t mean you’re not capable, just that you keep going. Stay curious, be persistent, and trust that if you keep putting in the effort, things will fall into place. 

One quote I always remember is by John Lennon: “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” 

Tell us about some of your hobbies?

Dance is one of my biggest passions outside of medicine. Back home, I trained about 10 hours a week and even taught classes. My main styles are ballet and Ukrainian dance.

Moving abroad was tough because I missed that creative outlet, but I’m grateful my school has a dance team, so I can continue dancing. 

Knowing the odds my parents were given when I was first diagnosed, I feel incredibly grateful to be able to do the things I love today. Dance means even more to me; I never take it for granted. It’s my way to relax, express myself, and stay balanced alongside my medical school journey.

Thank you Calleigh for taking part in our interview. We wish you the best for the remainder of your time at medical school and for the exciting future ahead. 

For more information about Still's disease / systemic JIA, visit www.stillsdisease.uk 

You can find our previous International Day of Women and Girls in Science interviews as follows:

2025: International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Spotlight on Suruthi Gnanenthiran

2024: International Day of Women and Girls in Science with Dr Lianne Kearsley-Fleet  

2023:  International Day of Women and Girls in Science with Dr Stephanie Shoop-Worrall