Dr Guy Undrill, an Honorary Clinical Lecturer at the University of Bristol, was awarded the Psychiatric Trainer of the Year 2013 award for his significant contribution to the training and education of trainee psychiatrists in a successful evening for the University.
The annual RCPsych Awards mark the highest level of achievement within psychiatry, and are designed to recognise and reward excellent practice in the field of mental health.
This is the first year that an RCPsych Award category has recognised the achievements of medical students.
The award is designed to recognise a medical student who has demonstrated through their academic and extra-curricular performance that they have attained a level of achievement over and above that expected for their years of training, with achievements and experience reflecting a specific interest in psychiatry as a career.
Nicholas said: “I am humbled and honoured to have received the Medical Student of the Year Award from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
“Bristol University offered me not only a fantastic medical training for my job as an Academic Foundation Doctor at Barts NHS Trust in London but also allowed me to pursue research and work for the Department of Health and General Medical Council.
“My tutors, including Dr Williams, Dr Potokar and Dr Hodgson, were inspirational and sparked an interest in how the mind and body interact and manifest in fascinating ways. Thanks also to Professors Bhugra and Scott at the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College London where I did an elective research block.
“I hope my award encourages Bristol students to consider a career in psychiatry and that the medical school continues to support students pursuing activities beyond the course which will make them brilliant clinicians and researchers.”
Nicholas was presented with his trophy by Bruce Calderwood, Director of Mental Health, Disability and Equality at the Department of Health, at a prestigious ceremony held at the Royal Society of Medicine.
Competition for the RCPsych Awards is always extremely tough, and the judging panels were impressed by the quality of this year’s entries. The judges said: “Nicholas is an outstanding advocate for psychiatry. The breadth of his contributions as a leader, researcher and educator are truly remarkable.”
Nicholas is a member of the Department of Health and Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Recruitment Taskforce and was a panel member on the Collins Foundation Programme review, which has considerably increased trainees’ exposure to psychiatry. He has also published in the BMJ and International Review of Psychiatry.
Professor Sue Bailey, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: “The future of our specialty relies on attracting the brightest and best young doctors. Nicholas has demonstrated exceptional skills and a great interest in psychiatry. I very much hope he will go on to train as a psychiatrist, and wish him luck in his medical career.”