SAS Celebration Week

SAS Celebration Week is an opportunity to celebrate the specialty and specialist doctor workforce (SAS) and raise its profile as a rewarding career and a much valued part of the workforce.

2024

In 2024 we asked members of the SAS committee to share their experiences working as a SAS doctor, covering different themes on each day:

Dr Lade Smith CBE on SAS Week 2024

Dr Lade Smith CBE, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, highlights the crucial role of SAS psychiatrists in the mental health workforce, emphasising their clinical expertise, leadership, and contributions to patient care. She discusses recent initiatives to improve recognition and opportunities for SAS psychiatrists, including changes in training and leadership roles. This conversation underscores the importance of celebrating their impact not just during SAS Psychiatrists Week, but year-round.

Dr Rebecca Tomlinson on SAS Week 2024

Dr Rebecca Tomlinson is a SAS doctor in Older Adult Psychiatry and the representative for the Trent Division on the RCPsych SAS committee. Rebecca discusses their route to becoming a SAS doctor by choice, their experiences on the SAS committee, and the SAS charter.

Dr Mithun Barik on SAS Week 2024

Dr Mithun Barik is a SAS doctor in Addictions Psychiatry and the representative for Scotland on the RCPsych SAS committee. Mithun discusses the rewarding aspects of embracing extended roles such as becoming a SAS Educational Advisor.

Dr Deepak Swamy on SAS Week 2024

Dr Deepak Swamy is a specialist psychiatrist in autism and neurodevelopment and the representative for Intellectual Disabilities on the RCPsych SAS committee. Deepak discusses their experiences as a specialist psychiatrist and their involvement in the quality networks at the college.

Dr Alison Shaw on SAS Week 2024

Dr Alison Shaw is the representative for Wales on the RCPsych SAS committee. Alison invites SAS doctors from Wales to join the Welsh committees at the college.

Dr Karim Musah on SAS Week 2024

Dr Karim Musah discusses their experiences as a Specialty Doctor and representative for the Rehab faculty on the RCPsych SAS committee.

Dr Jennifer Gilligan on SAS Week 2024

Dr Jennifer Gilligan is the representative for the Northern and Yorkshire division on the RCPsych SAS committee. Jennifer discusses their decision in becoming a Specialty doctor and the opportunity to develop leadership skills through taking on additional roles.

Dr Emmeline Lagunes Cordoba on SAS Week 2024

Dr Emmeline Lagunes Cordoba is the representative for the Academic faculty and London division on the RCPsych SAS committee. Emmeline highlights the multiple extended roles that you can engage with as a SAS doctor including leadership, management and academia.

Dr Lily Read on SAS Week 2024

Dr Lily Read is the Chair of the RCPsych SAS committee. Lily shares her journey as a SAS doctor in the UK, discussing her clinical and non-clinical experiences, her advocacy for equality in the medical workforce, and the systemic barriers faced by SAS doctors.

Dr Gathoni Kamau on SAS Week 2024

Dr Gathoni Kamau is the representative for the Neuropsychiatry faculty on the RCPsych SAS committee. Gathoni discusses what it means to be a SAS doctor and encourages anyone who is interested in becoming a SAS doctor to reach out.

Dr Hina Tahseen on SAS Week 2024

Dr Hina Tahseen is the representative for the General Adult faculty on the RCPsych SAS committee. Hina discuses their experiences as an IMG and SAS doctor and encourages SAS doctors to join the SAS committee.

Dr Nayiri Sahakian on SAS Week 2024

Nayiri is the representative for the private and independent sector on the RCPsych SAS committee. Nayiri discusses the opportunities for career development as a SAS doctor and the improved work-life balance

Read more to receive further information regarding a career in psychiatry