Dr Amir Khan and graduating medic Mia Hankinson
During summer 2026 graduation week (Thursday 16 July), Dr Amir Khan received his honorary degree from the University of Liverpool alongside hundreds of new medical and dental graduates.
An alumnus, full-time GP, media personality and best-selling author who rose to prominence through his work in inner-city Bradford and appearances on shows like GPs: Behind Closed Doors, Amir is now a familiar face on UK television and radio, presenting health programmes, writing books, and supporting a range of environmental and community initiatives.
Dr Amir told medicine and dentistry graduates: “A huge congratulations on graduating! Go out there and do your best, think about the patients and think about your communities and what you can do for them, and you can’t go wrong. Stand up for the people whose voices who aren’t being heard, stand beside patients experiencing discrimination or exclusion. Equality in healthcare benefits everyone. Your greatest legacy will be how people felt after meeting you.”
On the day, Dr Amir met Mia Hankinson, a graduating medic who came to University from a care experienced background, and has been supported by the University’s widening participation team. Mia has expressed how the University has helped her overcome barriers that often prevent people from disadvantaged backgrounds accessing higher education. She has gone on to become a Liverpool Advocate, helping other young people consider university and is now helping develop support for care-experienced medical students.
Mia said: “It was such an honour to receive my MBChB and officially become Dr Hankinson along with the rest of my cohort. It has been a very eventful 5 years and so felt quite emotional for me and my colleagues to celebrate our hard work. I felt privileged to have the opportunity to chat to Dr Amir Khan, he shared some very important advice and carries the message he shares; he is not only a kind doctor but a very kind human.
“I am starting as a Foundation Doctor in Scotland at the end of July along with my fiancé Dr Zak Ali! We are very excited for this next step! Although nervous, I am excited, and as highlighted in the Declaration of Geneva, and by Dr Amir Khan, I will always remember to be a kind doctor.”