Doctor who has helped lives of thousands of children hails her training at city university

A DOCTOR who has helped improve the lives of thousands of children in poverty has put part of her success down to her training at the University of Leicester's Medical School.

- By STAFF REPORTER

(LOVE THE ONE)

The holistic approach learned in the city saw her charity educate and empower the families they supported and “where once children, especially girls, had no future, we now have many who go to college”.

Mary Cusack’s life changed on a trip to India in 2006, when she and her partner and fellow doctor, Cat Morris, were shocked by the devastating scenes of poverty in India.

She said: “The area was plagued with endemic violence against women and children, and a pervading lack of compassion in healthcare.

“We saw gross medical misconduct towards children, whether through corruption, ignorance or apathy.

“There were some horrendous things happening, like doctors injecting children with dirty water, and a basic lack of medical supplies and care led to a very high death rate in the young.

“We knew we couldn't turn our backs on these kids.”

Mary and Cat co-founded the Love The One charity in 2007, initially setting up a makeshift health clinic in an old sheep shed.