Tributes to 'brilliant' Walsall doctor who died of cancer
Tributes have been paid to a doctor who was born and worked in the same hospital and recently died of cancer.
Dr Steph Clarke was born in Walsall Manor Hospital and worked there as a foundation year doctor until her death last month.
The funeral for Dr Clarke – who died from Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer – was held at Streetly Crematorium on Tuesday.
Medical director Dr Matthew Lewis posted a tribute online to the "brilliant doctor".
He said: "Dr Steph Clarke was born in Walsall Manor Hospital and worked here as a foundation year doctor until her death last month.
"Her funeral was an extraordinary event, the chapel was full and there must have been twice as many people outside, including many doctors and nurses.
"It's hard to draw positives from the death of such a vibrant 28-year-old but the speeches from her school friends, university friends and work colleagues showed what an invigorating influence Steph had on the people who were lucky enough to spend time with her.
"We heard that she was a bright student, who became a brilliant doctor. More than that though, she displayed an exceptional desire to do as much as possible for her patients and colleagues.
"Dr Esther Waterhouse's speech showed how much she achieved in her career in Cheltenham and Walsall. My own limited contact with Steph was that she was kind, funny and charming - even when she had no idea who she was speaking to (I hadn't introduced myself properly)."
Dr Lewis added: "One story sticks out from talking to Steph's surgical colleagues after the service. She was only meant to be working in the mornings (as she had recently undergone significant treatment) but she stayed until after 7pm to make sure that a man who was being discharged had provisions from a food bank and tokens for a new fridge.
"Needless to say, she carefully brushed aside any concerns for herself as she was determined to do everything that she could for this patient.
"Another story highlighted how she spent all day with a patient who could only communicate through blinking.
"Over the last year - during the time when Steph worked with us - we have engaged with staff from all backgrounds to agree our trust's values.
"Many of you will have taken part in this and helped to come up with 'Respect, Compassion, Professionalism and Teamwork'.
"Steph had strong connections with the trust so it's perhaps not surprising that she embodied these values so completely."
