SLaM psychiatrist wins RCPsych Award

Dr Kamran Ahmed, a psychiatrist at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), has been named Advanced Psychiatric Trainee of the Year 2011 by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

The annual RCPsych Awards, hosted this year by Maureen Lipman, mark the highest level of achievement within psychiatry, and are designed to recognise and reward excellent practice in the field of mental health.

Dr Ahmed said: "It was a real privilege to be short listed alongside the excellent trainees in this category and an absolute honour to win the award. At SLAM we are very lucky to have so many opportunities available to us; conducting research with professors from the Institute of Psychiatry (IOP), teaching enthusiastic students from King's College and working with highly motivated mental health professionals from a range of disciplines. I think making the most of these opportunities played a large part in me receiving this award."

Dr Ahmed was presented with his award by Professor Sir Neil Douglas, chairman of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, at a prestigious ceremony held at the Royal Society of Medicine on Tuesday 15 November.

Dr Andrew Hodgkiss, consultant liaison psychiatrist, nominated Dr Ahmed. He said: "I nominated Kamran for the award because of the great initiative and ambition he has shown over recent years in his approach to higher training in psychiatry. In addition to busy clinical duties he personally initiated and co-ordinated 'Medfest', a national film festival across several medical schools aiming to help recruitment into psychiatry (www.medfest.co.uk).

"He has held several leadership roles including Vice-Chair of the Psychiatric Trainees Committee and Advisor for mental health to the Muslim Council of Britain Health Committee. He is a passionate educator and has conducted valuable research in medical education, cultural psychiatry and child psychiatry. He is also active in public education and has made a number of psychiatric films including a documentary whilst on a teaching trip to Somalia and an animated film on being a psychiatrist; 'Beards and Bowties'. He is currently pursuing a Darzi Fellowship in medical leadership." 

The RCPsych judges said: "Dr Ahmed was chosen as Advanced Trainee of the Year due to his tremendous initiative and drive. Dr Ahmed is a passionate educator with strong leadership and refreshing creativity. His inspirational achievements point toward a bright future in psychiatry."

Professor Sue Bailey, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: "Through the RCPsych Awards we bring national recognition to outstanding psychiatrists. On behalf of the College, I congratulate Dr Ahmed and wish him a long and successful career in psychiatry."

Nominations for the RCPsych Awards 2012 will open in January.