Another wonderful surprise. I’d like to thank the judges for picking me and Simon Wessely for nominating me. It is great to be recognised for one’s work, especially when you’re from my background. Above all thank you to those around me, I could never have achieved something like this without the support of my family and the many excellent colleagues I have worked with over the years
Dr Shubulade Smith
14 November 2019
RCPsych Awards for Dr Shubulade Smith & Dr Derek Tracy
At the 2019 Royal College of Psychiatrists Awards, Dr Shubulade Smith was awarded Psychiatrist of the Year, and Dr Derek Tracy won Psychiatric Communicator of the Year.
Dr Smith, who is a Visiting Senior Lecturer in the Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) and a Consultant Psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, received the award during a ceremony on Friday 8 November.
The judges said, ‘This year was an exceptional one for entries to this category. However, there could only be one winner. Lade is a multi-talented psychiatrist. She leads a patient centred clinical service but also finds time for research and to work towards the removal of the unjust inequalities in our healthcare system. She is a fantastic role model and an inspirational leader. We were delighted to choose her to receive this award.’
Dr Smith is a consultant psychiatrist with 26 years’ experience in psychiatry – including 19 years at consultant level. Dr Smith was voted a BMA pioneering consultant and nominated as a Woman of the Year in 2002 for the development of her ‘One Stop Shop’, a medication review and physical monitoring clinic for people with mental health problems. She is known nationally and internationally for her work in the hormonal and reproductive effects of antipsychotic medications. Committed to improving quality by eliminating inequality in mental healthcare, Dr Smith was awarded a CBE for services to forensic psychiatric intensive care in June 2019.
Also receiving an award was Dr Derek Tracy, who was awarded Psychiatric Communicator of the Year.
Dr Tracy is Visiting Senior Lecturer in the Psychosis Studies Department at IoPPN, and Clinical Director at Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, London. He is also on the editorial board of the British Journal of Psychiatry.
I am hugely honoured to receive this award, and am particularly grateful to my KCL students, who every week push me to be a better educator and communicator
Dr Derek Tracy
The judges felt that Dr Tracy successfully engages ‘a wide range of audiences across a wide range of media. He has a wonderful ability to transmit enthusiasm and excitement for the subject matter of psychiatry and has become an unofficial ambassador for the College in sharing information and breaking down barriers and stigma against mental health. His roles extends beyond, working with two charities engaging those with mental health difficulties and a wider public in mental health education, de-stigmatisation, instilling hope and positivity. Dr Tracy's title of communicator of the year is well deserved.’
Other King’s awardees included Haridha Panadian for Medical Student of the Year, and Dr Lesley Thoms for Core Psychiatric Trainee of the Year.
The RCPsych Awards are a yearly event held by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and mark the highest levels of excellence and achievement within the field of psychiatry, and are given to the Psychiatrist of the Year, Patient Contributor of the Year and Medical Student of the Year, among others.
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Visiting Senior Lecturer