Turning Knowledge into Impact: Elena Graduates with Plans to Support People with Dementia
When Elena Vasinc moved from Romania to England, she was determined to build a deeper understanding of the country’s health and social care system while pursuing a career helping others. As she graduates from UWTSD Birmingham with an MSc in Public Health and Social Care in Practice, she reflects on a learning journey marked by determination, academic excellence, leadership, and a growing passion for supporting people living with dementia.
“I have always enjoyed working with people and wanted to better understand England’s social system,” said Elena. “When a friend recommended UWTSD after having such a positive experience herself, I decided to enrol on the BSc Health and Social Care programme. It was one of the best decisions I have made.”
Elena’s commitment to her studies was recognised with two prestigious awards in 2024. She achieved the Highest Mean Mark in her cohort on the BSc (Hons) Health & Social Care Programme (Level 6) and also received the award for the Highest Dissertation Mark in her cohort. During her MSc, she further demonstrated her commitment to the student community by serving as a Student Representative, helping to represent the views and experiences of her fellow students.
After completing her undergraduate studies, Elena chose to continue her education with an MSc in Public Health and Social Care in Practice, building on the knowledge and skills she had already gained.
“The BSc and MSc gave me a much deeper understanding of England’s health and social care systems,” she said. “I particularly enjoyed studying research methods, quality assurance, and service improvement. Every module added something valuable to my professional development.”
One of the highlights of Elena’s academic journey was presenting at her first IICL Student Research Conference in Birmingham in July 2025.
“It was a proud moment for me,” she said. “The conference gave me the opportunity to share ideas, learn from others and develop my confidence as a researcher.”
Balancing study with everyday responsibilities was not always easy. Living in Crewe meant travelling regularly to Birmingham, while studying in a second language brought additional challenges.
“English is not my first language, so at times I had to work harder to understand academic material and express my ideas,” Elena explained. “I spent extra time practising English with my sons and using online resources. Looking back, those challenges helped me grow both personally and academically.”
Today, Elena works with people living with dementia and says her studies have had an immediate impact on her professional life.
“I use the knowledge I gained at UWTSD every day,” she said. “Working with people with dementia has helped me put theory into practice, and I feel much more confident supporting patients and their families during difficult times.”
Elena’s master’s dissertation focused on Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, an area that has inspired her future career plans. Following graduation, she hopes to launch a small business providing support and cognitive stimulation programmes for people living with dementia.
“My goal is to help people maintain their cognitive abilities and improve their quality of life,” she said. “I would also like to work alongside healthcare providers to raise awareness of the benefits of cognitive stimulation and dementia support services.”
Elena says she would happily recommend both courses to others.
“Both programmes are very comprehensive and provide a huge amount of knowledge,” she said. “They have helped me develop professionally and personally, and they have given me the confidence to pursue my ambitions for the future.”
Further Information
Rebecca Davies
Executive Press and Media Relations Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: rebecca.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07384 467071