London Division Awards
The London Division are pleased to announce the winners of their second local Division Awards for 2023.
Award Winners 2023
Medical Student of the Year
Valerie Cai
Valerie is a Medical Student at King’s College London, she is a Perinatal Faculty Psych Star, Royal College of Psychiatrists and she is also Co-president at King’s College London Psychiatry Society. Valerie was nominated a number of times by various people including Ali Gibson, Natasha Binnie, Frances Weston, and Emelia Pasternak-Albert.
Valerie has contributed an astonishing amount to the field of psychiatry. Most notably, she has co-founded a start-up called PuffiN, a platform for wellbeing support for new parents, which got to the finals of the Mayor’s Entrepreneurship Competition 2023. Valerie is also the Perinatal Faculty Psych Star.
At Kings College London, Valerie is co-president of Psych Soc, an extremely active psych soc which has achieved a lot with Valerie’s leadership alongside co-president Ali who was also shortlisted today, and Emilia, who writes the psych soc newsletter. Through Psych Soc, Valerie seeks to collaborate with other societies such as Medical Ethics and Law, Medical Humanities, Emergency Medicine, KCL Open Minds Society, and more.
As well as leadership skills, Valerie is also an organiser. She initiated and delivered the UK’s first 6th form outreach programme to inspire students interested in mental health to pursue a career in medicine and psychiatry. She also organised the 2023 National Student Psychiatry Conference.
Academically, Valerie did an interesting project on gender identity in Klinefelter syndrome.
Valerie must work tirelessly to achieve so much at this stage in her career. She has no doubt impacted many lives through her inspiring work.
Foundation Doctor of the Year
Dr James Cai
Dr Cai is a Foundation Doctor at East London NHS Foundation Trust and was nominated by Dr Ian Hall.
James stood out to the panel due to his drive for improvement, learning and pursuit of excellence in clinical care. Such a strong grasp of evidence-based practice, holistic management and working inter-professionally was impressive, particularly for a doctor so early on in his career. He has left a remarkable impact on his colleagues in just a four-month placement in intellectual disability psychiatry.
James took the initiative to upskill students and MDT colleagues on issues that are particularly pertinent to this patient group such as maintaining awareness of diagnostic overshadowing and making reasonable adjustments to improve capacity. He thoughtfully arranged additional interdisciplinary reviews for patients and was a key team member of the service QI project. His contribution was a fantastic example of feeding into the provision of every day excellent patient care and tackling health inequalities.
Core Trainee of the Year
Dr Aikaterini Dima
Dr Dima is a Clinical Research Associate equivalent to CT3 at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and was nominated by Dr Cecilia Casetta.
Aikaterini demonstrated a real passion for clinical and academic psychiatry through her work at the National Psychosis Unit, and she was recognised for her ability to build professional and understanding relationships with some of the most unwell patients in the country. She was also recognised as working sensitively and creatively with the clinical team in the service and contributed to a positive environment. She was seen as being available to support her peers and encouraging medical students to embark on a career in psychiatry.
As well as clinical work, she has been involved in research, contributing to empowering service users to be more involved in research projects, and improving physical healthcare in mental health settings. We wish Aikaterini ongoing success in her training and future career.
Higher Trainee of the Year
Dr Josephine Fielding
Dr Fielding is a Higher Trainee at West London NHS Trust and was nominated by Dr Michael Yousif.
Josephine is the national trainee representative for the RCPsych Medical Psychotherapy Faculty. She secured recurrent funding for the trainee conference, developed supportive trainee networks, and improved Faculty resources for medical students. She organised two national conferences and chaired conference sessions.
She also developed a local pilot for primary care-psychotherapy integration and led a multi-agency collaboration on an audit of deliberate self-harm assessments in liaison, recruiting and supervising auditors from mental health, acute trusts, and local authority.
Colleagues have said of Dr Fielding that she is an exemplary doctor, a major asset to any service fortunate enough to have her; …an incredible practitioner who is able to integrate both the medical theory and the psychological underpinning... “Not only is Josie amazing with the patients she is also exceptional with the staff. She is compassionate, understanding and also willing to help. She can identify how people are feeling in the team and respond to their needs.”
Patient/Carer Contributor of the Year
Margaret Whipp
Margaret is a carer and was nominated by our very own Dr Suhana Ahmed.
Margaret works in the South London and Maudsley Foundation Trust whilst also caring for her eldest son who was diagnosed in 2016 with a long-term serious mental illness.
Margaret’s journey has been remarkable and inspiring. Having given up work to care for her son she then became heavily involved in volunteering work providing carer support services as well as devising and assisting education and training. She has worked with Lambeth hospital to improve weekend admissions by setting up Weekend Safety Huddles and with Lewisham CAMHS as a graduate parent on their NVR parenting class. She has become a Peer Supporter in the Lewisham EIP Carer Peer support group and is also a carer representative on the Healthy London Partnership Mental Health Transformation Board. Since 2022 she has been participating in the new Seni Lewis training programme.
The panel felt that her collaborative and co-production work was evident in so many areas.
With all of this Margaret is modest and unassuming. “I’m just a mum” is her response to any praise. She is clearly far more than that and is a worthy winner of the Award.
Psychiatrist of the Year
Dr Amrit Sachar
Dr Sachar is a Liaison Psychiatry Consultant at West London NHS Trust and was nominated by Dr Derek Tracy.
Amrit’s array of accomplishments is too vast to outline in just a few lines. In her Trust she has convened and chaired a co-produced working group for international medical graduates, utilising QI methodology to optimise implementation of the national guide for employers. Several Trust senior leaders have commended it as their ‘favourite forum’ due to its democratic space.
She’s the College equality champion for the Liaison Faculty, and developed a new conference equality charter, signed off by Council, ensuring events are representative of membership, and provide a significant platform for patients and carers. Amrit is a member of the College Tackling Racism in the Workplace group, helping develop guidance for employers and employees on redressing this and increasing equality.
In addition to this, she runs a very busy liaison service, has set up a National Kidney Psychosocial Working-group with Kidney Care UK and published pragmatic research on implementing their guidelines.
Dr Tracy stated in his nomination, ‘I can think of no psychiatrist who better exemplifies the College values, particularly courage. Dr Sachar has shown bravery and fortitude in standing up for what she believes in for her patients and colleagues, particularly equality and diversity.’ And the judging panel wholeheartedly agree.
SAS Doctor of the Year
Dr Evan Picton-Jones
Dr Picton-Jones is a SAS Doctor in West London NHS Trust and was nominated by Dr Derek Tracey.
The report from the judges stated that both nominations were impressive and had different qualities against which they were reviewed. Dr Picton-Jones stood out with impactful medical management and leadership roles. In particular, there has been support and advocacy for SAS doctors, as Trust Director for SAS Doctor Development, including implementing new SAS contracts and procuring a larger budget for SAS doctor development. In addition, he is MAC Chair and co-chair of the LNC and described as “respected and trusted by colleagues and leadership alike, and has a thoughtful, compassionate manner of engagement and bringing people together.”
Evan has also shown how he is ‘an outstanding clinician,” and “truly is a person of broad talent.” This includes leading on digital integration work, medical lead supporting non-medical prescribers as an Appraiser and as a PI supporting academic work and research.
Team of the Year
The Psychiatric Eye Editorial Team
The Psychiatric Eye Editorial Team is a group of psychiatrists from all over London that produce the bi-annual newsletter for all the members in London and was nominated by Karen Morgan.
The Psychiatric Eye Editorial Team have put together a great initiative which provides a high-quality service to all psychiatrists in London. They produce very informative and interesting publications as well as providing a host of indirect benefits. They are dedicated and work extremely hard, in their own personal time, on each of these to include all aspects of mental health with a diverse input that has a positive impact on mental health services.
Though this team has no direct patient care through this role (they do in their everyday jobs as Psychiatrists), they are there to support psychiatrists by providing them with up-to-date research, share lived experiences, sharing of best practice, highlight innovative treatment and care for those with mental health issues and to showcase the excellent work that psychiatrists are doing in the Division. By doing this it not only enriches the knowledge for psychiatrists and raises awareness of updates in treatment and mental health care, it also helps to raise morale for those who are feeling the stress of being a psychiatrist.
The team work hard on the newsletter to provide a “feel good factor” about mental health care provision in London and to raise the positive image of psychiatry against the more well-known areas of physical health care.
Educator of the Year
Dr Nick Hipkins
Dr Hipkins is a Consultant Psychiatrist from West London NHS Trust, and he was nominated by Dr Daniel Andrews.
Dr Nick Hipkins is a worthy winner of the RCPsych London Division Educator Award having shown excellence in medical education contributing to the training of medical students and doctors at all stages of their training as well as colleagues in the MDT. He has consistently received excellent feedback in the GMC survey.
He has focused on the wellbeing and pastoral care of trainees, serving as a positive role model for our profession and raising the positive image of psychiatry. Of particular note is his innovative involvement of his therapy dog to engage with colleagues, the team, and patients alike and he literally does go the extra mile, giving his time to go jogging with trainees! Congratulations Dr Hipkins.
Shortlisted nominations
Shortlisted nominations for this year's Awards (in alphabetical order):
- Medical Student of the Year 2023: Valerie Cai, Ali Gibson and Emelia Pasternak-Albert
- Foundation Doctor of the Year 2023: Dr James Cai and Dr Charlotte Muehlschlegel
- Core Trainee of the Year 2023: Dr Aikaterini Dima, Dr Shannon Hilton and Dr Charlotte Huang
- Higher Trainee of the Year 2023: Dr Josephine Fielding, Dr Sonya Rudra and Dr Lauren Waterman
- Patient/Carer Contributor of the Year 2023: Margaret Whipp
- Psychiatrist of the Year 2023: Dr Lokapriya Premalatha, Dr Oyepeju Raji and Dr Amrit Sachar
- SAS Doctor of the Year 2023: Dr Evan Picton-Jones and Dr David Swarts
- Team of the Year 2023: Camden Adolescent Intensive Support Service (CAISS), North London Forensic Collaborative Patient Council and The Psychiatric Eye Editorial Team
- Educator of the Year 2023: Dr Nick Hipkins, Dr Eileen McNamara and Dr Lucinda Richards and Dr Mandip Jheeta (joint nomination)
Award Winners 2022
Samyak Pandey
Samyak Pandey is an outstanding medical student showing considerable innovation and initiative whilst undertaking a range of roles. He understands complex academic concepts as is evidenced by his MSc distinction in Clinical Neuropsychiatry. He has also
demonstrated a high level of involvement with psychiatry at a practical level. Here he has made significant contributions to promote and further the profession including recently organising and chairing the London Division’s successful Discover
Psychiatry conference and during the pandemic arranging outreach work experience for 6th form students helping to de-stigmatise mental health. A President of the Psych Society he was also selected for Psych Star of the Year.
Dr Laith Alexander
A highly commendable winner, Dr Laith Alexander has made a remarkable impact within psychiatry before even commencing his specialty training. On a background of significant and impressive contributions to research and teaching in the field, what really stood out was his personal commitment to supporting his team members and delivering first rate clinical care to patients. His nomination by Professor Allan Young was replete with glowing feedback from those who had worked with him, including peers, seniors, and MDT colleagues.
Onome Ugbeye
We want to give this award to Onome for her courage in sharing such a personal story, for her commitment in changing perception around FGM and mental health, and for giving voice not only to people with mental health conditions but also to black women, migrants and FGM survivors. Her dedication to teaching and excellence is outstanding and her feedback impressive - the students have found her talks inspirational and a true blessing.
Dr Rajesh Mohan
There was a very strong group of psychiatrists proposed for the RCPsych London psychiatrist of the year awardwith Dr Rajesh Mohan coming out as the clear and worthy winner.
Dr Mohan really embodies College values, for instance challenging and speaking up for people in his work with the Rehab Faculty and through his current role as Presidential Co-Lead for Race and Equality. This is also demonstrated at much more local levels and in his own individual practice and teaching – ensuring that patients are supported to Chair and lead their own clinical review meetings, innovating to co-produce personal health passports with people, so that physical health needs are also addressed. His ability to inspire others was mentioned several times, as a trainer, professional colleague and in keeping a patient focus in clinical practice.
Finally, Dr Mohan works very hard to promote positive values and perspectives from psychiatry, within the profession in presenting at conferences, and also more widely in engaging with the media and voluntary care sector and others.
Dr Emmeline Lagunes-Cordoba
Dr Emmeline Lagunes-Cordoba is a highly deserving winner for London SAS doctor of the year. She is a Mexican graduate who only started working for the NHS in 2019 and has gone on to achieve multiple success since then. Her achievements over the last year
include management and leadership roles (several on RCPsych committees, including the London Division), academic publishing on topics of importance, teaching, and mentoring, whilst improving the clinical care in her own team and being highly valued
by her patients and colleagues.
Dr Emmeline Lagunes-Cordoba is passionate about enhancing the leadership and management roles of SAS doctors and improving the experience of International Medical graduates. She is a fantastic role model for the profession,
and this is reflected in the two nominations she received for this category.
Croydon Mental Health Liaison Services
The Croydon Mental Health Liaison Service are worthy winners of the London Division Team of The Year Award having shown great resilience and adaptation during exceptional circumstances. They have worked remarkably well together emerging from the adversities of the last few years, as a closer-knit, stronger, more productive team, receiving multiple compliments, local awards, and forging collaborations with other services. As a result, the team has significantly grown and now provides a breadth of additional services.
Dr Emmert Roberts
The London Division were keen to recognise the exceptional care provided during what has been an unprecedented year again with COVID. This award goes to Dr Emmert Roberts. When the COVID-19 lockdown was implemented the UK government issued a directive that local authorities should provide temporary emergency accommodation to individuals experiencing rough sleeping under an initiative named ‘Everyone In’. In London this occurred largely through procurement of hotels which, at its peak, provided housing to over 5,000 individuals.
Given the burden of substance misuse co-morbidity within this population Dr Roberts founded and provided the clinical leadership for the Homeless Hotel Drug and Alcohol Service (HDAS-London), the first pan-London substance misuse service providing alcohol, drug and tobacco support to individuals temporarily housed in hotels.
To date, the service enabled over 250 people to newly enter structured addiction treatment. This service supported Pan-London coordination of care of the individuals experiencing rough sleeping over the 33 London boroughs.
What is particularly worth highlighting is how Dr Roberts has not only led on adapting to COVID but has been instrumental in developing a much-needed service that will be a positive outcome from the pandemic. At a time when they could easily have been ignored or overlooked, Dr Roberts shows respect for people who are so often shown great disrespect in our society. He works collaboratively and achieves excellence through doing so.
Dr Maurice Lipsedge
Dr Maurice Lipsedge is a real tour de force, who despite everything has continued to give his all, by volunteering his time and supporting all those who surround him. From arranging teaching for students missing out because of Covid, conducting interviews when others couldn’t, supporting students academically, emotionally and providing career support - all this on the back of his ill-health. It would be hard to capture Dr Lipsedge in our own words, so we leave the words of his nominator; “he is my inspiration and I know he is for many others too”.
Nadra Ahmed OBE, Chair of National Care Association kindly agreed to accept the honorary award certificate on behalf of ‘All the care staff working in London residential and nursing homes. This award recognises the amazing care workforce that we have here in London and their outstanding contribution and enduring compassion shown during the COVID pandemic and beyond.
Care workers go above and beyond every day to provide excellent care, extraordinary commitment, and professionalism. They have shown such courage over the past few years caring for our most vulnerable during one of the most challenging periods we have ever experienced. This award recognises exceptional practice, selfless hard work and dedication to rightly give the recognition and appreciation that those individuals deserve. Thank you.
Award categories
- Has made a positive impact during their London medical school placements to the wellbeing of patients and carers
- Shows excellent communication skills to patients and carers in London
- Shows commitment to Psychiatry in London
- Shows ability to use excellent psychiatric skills in their clinical studies in London
- Shows a high degree of kindness, compassion and respect to colleagues and patients/ carers.
- Has raised the positive image of psychiatry across the rest of medicine and society in London
- Demonstrates one, some or all RCPsych Values: Courage, Innovation, Respect, Collaboration, Learning and Excellence.
Please use the entry form to provide details of the nomination.
Please read the rules for entry before submitting the nomination.
Only nominations from members or associates (including PMPTs and Affiliates) of the Royal College of Psychiatrists can be considered in this category.
The person nominated should work and/or live in London.
The entry should demonstrate that the nominee has achieved one or more of the following:
- Made a positive impact in London to patient and/or carer well-being
- Demonstrated excellence in clinical work
- Demonstrated excellence or innovation in teaching, quality improvement, research, service development and/or supervision of junior colleagues
- Made efforts towards achieving parity of esteem between mental and physical health in London
- Supported fellow trainees and members of the multi-disciplinary team beyond the normal remit
- Shown a high degree of kindness, compassion and respect to colleagues and patients/ carers.
- Raised the positive image of psychiatry in London across the rest of medicine and society.
- Been a proven positive role model for the rest of the psychiatric profession.
- Demonstrates one, some or all RCPsych Values: Courage, Innovation, Respect, Collaboration, Learning, and Excellence.
Please use the entry form to provide details of the nomination.
Please read the rules for entry before submitting the nomination.
Only nominations from members or associates (including PMPTs and Affiliates) of the Royal College of Psychiatrists can be considered in this category.
The person nominated should work and/or live in London.
The entry should demonstrate that the nominee has achieved one or more of the following:
- Made a positive impact in London to patient and/or carer well-being
- Demonstrated excellence in clinical work
- Demonstrated excellence or innovation in teaching, quality improvement, research, service development and/or supervision of junior colleagues
- Made efforts towards achieving parity of esteem between mental and physical health in London
- Supported fellow trainees and members of the multi-disciplinary team beyond the normal remit
- Shown a high degree of kindness, compassion and respect to colleagues and patients/ carers.
- Raised the positive image of psychiatry in London across the rest of medicine and society.
- Been a proven positive role model for the rest of the psychiatric profession.
- Demonstrates one, some or all RCPsych Values: Courage, Innovation, Respect, Collaboration, Learning, and Excellence.
Please use the entry form to provide details of the nomination.
Please read the rules for entry before submitting the nomination.
Only nominations from members or associates (including PMPTs and Affiliates) of the Royal College of Psychiatrists can be considered in this category.
The person nominated should work and/or live in London.
The entry should demonstrate that the nominee has achieved one or more of the following:
- Made a positive impact in London to patient and/or carer well-being
- Demonstrated excellence in clinical work
- Demonstrated excellence or innovation in teaching, quality improvement, research, service development and/or supervision of junior colleagues
- Made efforts towards achieving parity of esteem between mental and physical health in London
- Supported fellow trainees and members of the multi-disciplinary team beyond the normal remit
- Shown a high degree of kindness, compassion and respect to colleagues and patients/ carers.
- Raised the positive image of psychiatry in London across the rest of medicine and society.
- Been a proven positive role model for the rest of the psychiatric profession.
- Demonstrates one, some or all RCPsych Values: Courage, Innovation, Respect, Collaboration, Learning, and Excellence.
Please use the entry form ;to provide details of the nomination.
Please read the rules for entry before submitting the nomination.
The person nominated should have either received services or cared for someone who received services within the past five years in London.
The entry should demonstrate that the nominee has achieved one or more of the following:
- Has made a positive impact in promoting psychiatry and bringing the lived experience perspective to London mental health services
- Shows collaborative and co production work with London mental health services
- Has raised the awareness of stigma existing and has also been able to combat stigma against mental illness in London
- Has been able to make a positive difference to patients and carers in London
- Has shown a high degree of kindness, compassion, and respect to other patients/carers.
- Has helped mental health professionals improve their practice in London
- Demonstrates one, some or all RCPsych Values: Courage, Innovation, Respect, Collaboration, Learning, and Excellence.
Please use the entry form to provide details of the nomination.
Please read the rules for entry before submitting the nomination.
Only nominations from members or associates (including PMPTs and Affiliates) of the Royal College of Psychiatrists can be considered in this category.
The person nominated should work and/or live in London.
The entry should demonstrate that the nominee has achieved one or more of the following:
- Has made a positive impact in London to patient and / or carer well-being.
- Has demonstrated clinical excellence skills.
- Has demonstrated excellence in teaching / training and supervision.
- Has demonstrated excellence in leadership, management and /or research.
- Has raised the positive image of psychiatry in London across the rest of medicine and society.
- Has demonstrated a high degree of kindness, compassion and respect to colleagues and wellbeing of other team members.
- Has demonstrated innovation in clinical practice and service development.
- Has made efforts towards achieving parity of esteem between mental and physical health, at a national and/or local level.
- Demonstrates one, some or all RCPsych Values: Courage, Innovation, Respect, Collaboration, Learning, and Excellence.
Please use the entry form to provide details of the nomination.
Please read the rules for entry before submitting the nomination.
Only nominations from members or associates (including PMPTs and Affiliates) of the Royal College of Psychiatrists can be considered in this category.
The person nominated should work and/or live in London.
The entry should demonstrate that the nominee has achieved one or more of the following:
- Has shown clinical excellence and exemplary patient care.
- Has shown excellence in medical education, leadership and management, and / or research.
- Has raised the positive image of psychiatry in London across the rest of medicine and society.
- Has demonstrated innovation in clinical practice and service development.
- Is a proven positive role model for the rest of the psychiatric profession.
- Has made efforts towards achieving parity of esteem between mental and physical health, in London.
- Is kind, compassionate and respectful beyond what is expected in their work.
- Demonstrates one, some or all RCPsych Values Courage, Innovation, Respect, Collaboration, Learning, and Excellence.
Please use the entry form to provide details of the nomination.
Please read the rules for entry before submitting the nomination.
Only nominations from members or associates (including PMPTs and Affiliates) of the Royal College of Psychiatrists can be considered in this category.
The team nominated should be part of a mental health service within the London Division.
The entry should demonstrate that the nominee has achieved one or more of the following:
- Has made a positive impact in London to patient and / or carer well-being.
- Has demonstrated clinical excellence and exemplary patient care.
- Has raised the positive image of psychiatry in London across the rest of medicine and society.
- Has demonstrated innovation in clinical practice and service development.
- Is a proven positive role model for the rest of the psychiatric profession.
- Is kind, compassionate and respectful beyond what is expected in the way they work.
- Makes the wellbeing of their team members a high priority.
- Has shown that the team works together successfully
- Demonstrates one, some or all RCPsych Values: Courage, Innovation, Respect, Collaboration, Learning, and Excellence.
Please use the entry form to provide details of the nomination.
Please read the rules for entry before submitting the nomination.
Only nominations from members or associates (including PMPTs and Affiliates) of the Royal College of Psychiatrists can be considered in this category. The person nominated should work and/or live in London.
The entry should demonstrate that the nominee has achieved one or more of the following:
- Has shown excellence in medical education, leadership and management, and / or research.
- Has raised the positive image of psychiatry in London across the rest of medicine and society.
- Has demonstrated continuous involvement in the process of learning, development and assessment as part of a wider QI project.
- Has promoted education showing how important this is.
- Is encouraging and supportive in their methods, especially in those who are struggling/ in need of extra support.
- Focuses on pastoral care alongside academic/professional progression.
- Is a proven positive role model for the rest of the psychiatric profession.
- Demonstrates one, some or all RCPsych Values: Courage, Innovation, Respect, Collaboration, Learning, and Excellence.
Please use the entry form to provide details of the nomination.
Please read the rules for entry before
submitting the nomination.