‘A warm hug of a school’ was how alumna and senior medical educationalist Professor Sonia Kumar described Notre Dame when she returned recently for the first time in 35 years. And the new Founding Executive Dean of Medicine at St. Mary’s University was delighted to find that the school still felt as friendly and welcoming as she remembered.
Now a medical professional with an impressive 24 letters after her name, the teenage Sonia was taught science by none other than our own Sister Maria Quinn, who was a teacher at Notre Dame for many years and remains a much-loved member of our community.
We were delighted to reunite Sonia with both Sister Maria and Sister Faith Ede, who was headmistress during her time studying at Notre Dame in the 1980s. The trio shared affectionate memories and plenty of anecdotes as they toured the school, revisited the Chapel – “it still smells the same!” exclaimed Sonia – and paused for photographs in the Prayer Garden.
Sonia says she blossomed at Notre Dame: “I hadn’t thrived at my previous school but the moment I sat in the headmistress’s office, I knew I belonged; I felt safe and happy. Everyone has gold within them. Notre Dame helped me recognise what my gold was and how best to use it to help others.”
And use it she has. As a Professor of Medical Education, Sonia now has over two decades of experience as a GP and educationalist, holding senior positions at the University of Leeds and Imperial College, where she was awarded the prestigious Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Excellence.
The new School of Medicine at St. Mary’s University will start by welcoming an international cohort of students in September 2026 and, under Sonia’s leadership, will train students to be complete doctors, integrating medical expertise, compassionate care and ethical practice.
Professor Kumar is delighted to reconnect with Notre Dame and has promised to return soon to talk to the students about careers in Medicine and Medical Education. We are proud to have such a highly respected medical professional among our alumnae and wish her every success in her new role at St. Mary’s University.
