Graeme Clark Scholarship in 2008

Sam Taylor    

Hear it for New Zealand!

New Zealand medical student wins Graeme Clark Scholarship 2008

Not only is Dunedin resident Sam Taylor the first student with a  cochlear implant to be accepted into the Dunedin School of Medicine, he is now the first ever New Zealander to be awarded the prestigious Graeme Clark Scholarship.  This year’s scholarship coincides with the 30th anniversary of this life-changing invention.

Born profoundly hearing impaired, Sam Taylor, of Ngati  Kahungunu descent, was awarded the tightly contested scholarship based on his outstanding academic achievements and his demonstrated leadership qualities.

“It is a great honour to be the first New Zealander to ever receive this scholarship, recognising as it does the accomplishments of those who have made the most of the gift of hearing a cochlear implant provides,” says Sam.

Named after eminent scientist and inventor of the cochlear implant, Professor Graeme Clark, the scholarship program was established in 2002 to help cochlear implant and now also bone conduction implant recipients excel academically.

“The cochlear implant has made an incredible difference to my life, both personally and academically,” says Sam. 

“It has opened doors that I had not even considered before – one of those being the very real possibility that I could one day become a surgeon."

“My medical course requires us to be out in the community dealing with patients. It is something I could never have attempted without the benefit of a cochlear implant and it’s proving to be one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. "

“I am determined to give back to the community to repay the debt of gratitude I genuinely feel.  Being of Maori descent, I would also one day like to help with the health issues that are particular to ethnic communities.”

Professor Graeme Clark says:

“Sam’s commitment to his studies, extra curricular activities, community involvement and leadership skills impressed the committee very much this year. We believe he has a very bright future and wish him well with his studies in medicine. I’m sure that he will make a wonderful role model for other implant students.”