New Members' Ceremony - London Evening 2023

Members’ Ceremony 17 November 2023 | Evening 30 Euston Square, London

Members’ and Fellows' Ceremony

The College Coat of Arms The elements of the College coat of arms are explained below: the owl is a symbol of wisdom. the shield, separated by a chevron, symbolises the roof of the house in which most general practice takes place. One side is white to represent day and the other black to represent night. The three spaces are occupied by a white poppy, signifying relief of pain and suffering; a gentian flower indicating medicine and the restorative and rehabilitative role of the GP; and, finally, the Greek lamp indicates the importance of study and research in the work of the College and links with the lamp of nursing.

The College arms were granted in 1961 by the College of Arms in England (a separate but almost identical coat of arms was approved by the Lord Lyon in Scotland).

the unicorn is adopted from the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries. the lynx is adopted from the arms of the Royal College of Surgeons. the gavel symbolises authority. the serpent is the ancient symbol of medicine.

It has incorporated the College arms and reflects the College blue of our modern logo.

The President’s chain was gifted to the College in 1958. It is cast in 9-carat yellow and white gold and consists of a medallion of a white-gold poppy entwined with a yellow-gold foxglove and alternating with entwined serpents in white gold. The medallion of the College coat of arms was added in 1963.

The College motto Cum Scientia Caritas – compassion with knowledge.

Robes and insignia

The Members’ gown is black with white facing.

The current President’s gown was instigated in 2012 to mark the 60th anniversary of the College.

The Chair of Council wears a badge that incorporates the College arms with the names of all previous College Chairs on the ribbon in gold.

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An organisation or other body can only be recognised as an independent legal entity if it has been granted either a Royal Charter or a Memorandum and Articles of Association by the Board of Trade.

The plan had always been to apply for a Royal Charter and this was duly granted in 1967. It was formally presented to the College in 1972 when HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh became the College’s first royal president.

In common with other Royal Charters, the charter is a vellum document with a large wax seal attached to it. It is a valuable document and is currently kept in the climate controlled college archives. It is only displayed on very special occasions.

It would be fair to say that there was more than a little resistance to the formation of an independent college of general practitioners in the early 1950s – not least by the three London based medical royal colleges then in existence. In view of this, the College’s founders were advised to seek a Memorandum and Articles rather than a Royal Charter – as this was a process that was less likely to be challenged by others. Such Articles of Association were granted in 1952.

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Members’ and Fellows' Ceremony

The Royal Charter

Members’ and Fellows' Ceremony

The College Mace

A mace is a longstanding tradition in British public life.

It symbolises two ideas – firstly, the whole membership so that those at the meeting or body are reminded of their responsibility to all members; secondly, it is a symbol of authority so that those present are reminded of the importance of exercising their authority responsibly.

The College mace is made of silver and ebony. At its head sits an owl from the College coat of arms and at its base sits a Scottish thistle. The College motto is inscribed on a silver band midway down the shaft.

It was gifted by members in Scotland in 1969 to mark the award of an honorary MD by Edinburgh University to Dame Annis Gillie who was then president of the College. As a result, it has traditionally been carried at ceremonial events by the chair of Scottish Council. It was designed by Mr Ian Davidson, then Director of the Jewellery and Silversmith Department at Edinburgh College of Art.

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Members’ and Fellows' Ceremony

Members’ and Fellows' Ceremony

Timings for the day Ceremony Registration and refreshments

17:45

Gowning and Photography

17:45

Members seated

18:45

Ceremony commences

19:00

Drinks reception

20:00

*Please note, entry may not be possible once the ceremony has commenced.

We therefore kindly request that you be seated 15 minutes before the close of registration.

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Professor Dame Clare Gerada RCGP President

Dr Steve Mowle RCGP Honorary Treasurer

Dr Michael Mulholland Honorary Secretary

Dr Janakan Crofton Co-Chair of North East London Faculty

Professor Kamila Hawthorne RCGP Chair

Robes and Official Ceremony Photo Sales

Photography Photographers will be taking shots of the event and Ceremony. If you would prefer not to be filmed on the day, please let us know. Photographs taken on the day may be used for print and digital ceremony promotion.

Discreet photography and video recording can be taken during the Ceremony, please be respectful of fellow guests and the proceedings.

Photography e: enquiries@marstonevents.com t: 01293 82 22 11 (+44-1293 82 22 11 for non-UK callers) Gowning e: customerservicesedeand ravenscroft.com t: +44 (0)370 2421170

Mobile phones

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Whilst we encourage you to tweet, post and snap the Ceremony, please ensure that personal devices are put on silent or airplane mode so as not to disturb the Ceremony.

Members’ and Fellows' Ceremony

Officers in attendance

Members’ and Fellows' Ceremony

President’s welcome Welcome to the Royal College of General Practitioners New Members’ Ceremony. We are delighted to welcome you and your guests to this very special occasion here in London.

The RCGP also advocates on behalf of our speciality, and are always keen to hear your views and ideas. Other parts of this booklet point out the role of your local Faculty, who have representatives who speak for members on Council, and guide the College on members’ needs.

The RCGP exists to help its members deliver great care for patients. Being a GP is a rewarding and stimulating but demanding profession, and the times when we can celebrate our successes together are very special. This is particularly true as we restart our live presentation ceremonies following a long gap caused by the Covid-19 global pandemic Today we formally – and joyfully! – welcome new Members and Fellows to the RCGP; this event marks your efforts and achievements and hopefully will create some very special moments and memories. We want to say “Thank you!” to all of you for choosing general practice, and also want to thank all those who have supported you in your journey.

As President, I am elected to represent the members. I am delighted that I will meet many of you today in person and to be part of your celebration. You deserve your award! And I am sure it will help you to aspire to even higher professional commitment to excellent patient care.

As the College motto says “Cum Scientia Caritas” – scientific skill applied with compassionate kindness. Being a GP is a vocation where interacting with the patient as a human being can matter as much to effective diagnosis and treatment as the technical knowledge. You deserve others to be kind to you, as you undertake this vital work. So please use the RCGP as your lifelong friend and resource – and if you need further advice and are not sure where to go, you can contact president@rcgp.org.uk.

We hope that today will leave you feeling proud, and will encourage you to find out more about the opportunities that the RCGP can offer.

Having professional networks is a key means for career development and personal wellbeing. Whether CPD, peer support, guidance from others at different career stages, special interest groups, and new professional opportunities, we want to answer your questions and help you use your membership to the full and build on this momentum across the next stages of your careers.

Professor Dame Clare Gerada President, RCGP (2021-2023)

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Congratulations, on becoming a fully independent GP. This ceremony is an opportunity for you and your loved ones to properly mark this huge milestone. It’s also a chance to celebrate and to reflect on all you have achieved over years of not just tough training and personal challenge, but some of the hardest years our NHS has ever had to face.

Together as a Faculty Board, we all volunteer to deliver our key values; Develop, Connect, Represent, Celebrate.

We want to encourage you to join us because we are stronger together, and you can help us improve life for our members and shape the future of general practice.

With over 13,700 members in the London and Southeast region alone, from North West London, Thames Valley (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Northamptonshire), North East London, Essex, South London, Southeast Thames (Kent and East Sussex) and Southwest Thames (Surrey and West Sussex) there is a place waiting for you, where you are.

The Royal College is your professional home and, as a member, we will continue to provide all you need to succeed in and build the career you want, to highlight and help you make the most of the opportunities that general practice can offer, to share your achievements, and give you our lifelong professional and personal support.

Thank you again for letting us share this special day with you and your families and loved ones. We cannot wait to see what you will go on to do in the future, and what we can all achieve together.

Many of you will fall under our local London and Southeast faculties and we cannot wait for you to join us.

Our board members are a collection of strong and diverse individuals from different professional backgrounds and all walks of life who strive to be the first point of contact for our members. From medical students, First5s, members and Fellows at all stages of their careers, our London Faculties also have non-GP members on their boards including nurses and practice managers. Working as local GPs, we also strive to be the first point of contact for our members.

Dr Janakan Crofton Co-Chair of North East London Faculty

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Dr Jeeves Wijesuriya Co-Chair of North East London Faculty

Members’ and Fellows' Ceremony

Faculty welcome

New Members’ Presentation

Members’ and Fellows' Ceremony

Abdulrahman Maky Hussain Ali

Akudo Umeh

Dr Ali would like to thank his friends and family for all their support.

Dr Umeh is a GP in Surrey. She has a Post-Graduate Diploma in Rheumatology with distinction, as well as DRCOG. She is grateful to God, her family, supervisors, and friends.

Adeope Debra Aderonpe Dr Ade works as a GP in Hampshire.

She would like to thank Almighty God, her parents, husband and children, family and friends for all their support and best wishes always.

Aleena Suhail Dr Suhail is a salaried GP in Manchester.

She would like to thank her parents, husband, and supervisors.

Adesayo Oluwaseun Daramola

Alexander John Fowler Calvey

Dr Daramola works as a salaried GP in Liverpool and aims to acquire a special interest in sport medicine. He would like to express his gratitude to his wife, Hope, for her support and to his loved ones.

Dr Calvey is a portfolio GP in Surrey and Berkshire with an interest in urgent care. He loves balancing his work with caring for his young family.

Amanda Jayne Tither

Adetutu Olufunke Adeosun

Dr Tither is a salaried GP in Old Trafford, Manchester. She also works in medical education. She would like to thank her husband, Nick, and his mum and dad, for all their love and support.

Dr Adeosun works as a GP in Doncaster and also holds a Masters Degree in Public Health. She has a special interest in lifestyle medicine and hopes to one day focus more on preventive medicine.

Anderimam Amos Waquong Dr Waquong works as a salaried GP in Barnsley with special interests in joint injections and minor surgeries. He would like to thank his wife and children for their support throughout histraining.

Ahmed Hussein Ahmed Kotb Dr Kotb is a GP in London. He would like to thank his mother, father, wife, children, mentors, friends, and colleagues for their endless support.

Antolyn Priyanka Mervyn

Aisha Binte Mehdi

Dr Mervyn is a salaried GP working in Essex. Her two young children were her biggest motivation during training and she would like to thank them and her family for their endless support. She dedicates this achievement to her aunt and late mother.

Dr Mehdi would like to thank Allah almighty above all for her success and blessings, and her mum and late father.

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Members’ and Fellows' Ceremony

Apheera Hussain

Athanasia Theodorou

Dr Hussain works as a salaried GP in Dunstable.

Dr Theodorou is immensely proud to have completed GP training while becoming the mother of two children.

She would like to dedicate this success to her husband and her GP trainer, Dr Lawrence Maule. She is excited to start her new role as a salaried GP in Stour Surgery in Christchurch.

Arshad Amin Khan Dr Khan graduated in 1989, and is the GP Principal at Central Medical Centre Coventry, with a special interest in teaching. He would like to thank his mother and especially his wife for their endless support throughout his career.

Bernard Theodore Kofi Davis Dr Davis completed his training in 2023.

He cites his personal relationship with Jesus Christ as the principal reason for achieving this milestone. He is delighted to have his family present today.

Arun Nair Dr Nair is a GP working in his hometown in north London. He would like to thank his family for all the support he has received from medical school to becoming a GP.

Caroline Mary Puckering Dr Puckering would like to thank her family and friends for all their support.

Aseea Akter Shuly Dr Shuly is a locum GP in London. She would like to thank her supervisor, Dr Sankari, her parents, M. Shawkat Hossain and late Deluara Shawkat, and her husband, Barrister Emrul Hussain.

Cindy Xin Yi Teo Dr Teo moved to the UK nine years ago for her medical degree. She is the first doctor in her family and now a GP. She would like to thank her parents, sister, and boyfriend for the opportunity and constant support.

Asif Malik Dr Malik began his training in the UK in 2021 and is delighted to have his wife and daughters here today to celebrate the end of a long journey, and the start of a new chapter. He would like to thank his parents for their support and prayers.

Constanza Tobar Dr Tobar came to Spain from Colombia 22 years ago and trained as a doctor and GP. She has been working in the UK for 11 years and wants to dedicate this achievement to her dearest husband Carlose and her daughter Sofia.

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Members’ and Fellows' Ceremony

Daniel Madukwe

Hani Kamalaldin Frjo

Dr Madukwe works as a GP in Sunderland. He is thankful to God for this honour. He had the support of his family, his trainers and the college. He dedicates this achievement to his late dad.

Reflecting on his journey, Dr Frjo says his mother's influence and his wife's support have been invaluable. He also thanks his brother, family and friends for their unwavering strength.

Heloise Palmer

Eno Oluwole

Dr Palmer would like to thank her family and friends for all their support.

Dr Eno Oluwole is a GP partner working in Derbyshire. She is also a certified lifestyle medicine physician. She would like to thank God first for His faithfulness, she also wants to thank her husband and children for their love and support.

Hoviyeh Afnan-Holmes Dr Afnan-Holmes owes much of her success in getting to this point in her career to the unwavering love and support of her family. In particular, her husband, Shaun, children, and her mother, Talashi. This achievement is as much theirs, as it is hers.

Esosa Daniel Omoregie Dr Omoregie is a Locum GP in Milton Keynes and would like to thank everyone who has been instrumental in fulfilling this dream.

Iqra Akhtar Dr Akhtar works as a salaried GP in Windsor. She would like to thank her family for their endless support during her training.

Faiza Hasan Dr Hasan is elated to have her family here today to celebrate this momentous occasion. She would like to thank them, her friends, and supervisor for their support during her journey to achieve this success. “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest “

Jennifer Hayley Entwisle Dr Entwisle is a salaried and a locum GP in Bristol. She would like to thank her parents and sisters for their endless support.

Fareeha Gul Uppal Dr Uppal works as a salaried GP. She would like to thank her parents and husband.

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Members’ and Fellows' Ceremony

Jeoffrey Patrick Chio

Khin Pyae Sone Hlaing

Dr Chio would like to thank the almighty God, his family, friends, colleagues, and all the people who supported him.

Dr Hlaing is a salaried GP working in Chertsey. She would like to thank her mentor, husband, and family for their kind and endless support during her training years. She is delighted to celebrate the end of a long journey with beloved ones.

Jinesh Patel Dr Patel would like to thank his family and friends for all their support.

Lana Abu Elreish Dr Elreish is undergoing a PG Diploma in Dermatology from Cardiff University.

She would like to thank her incredible parents, husband, and daughter for their unwavering support and encouragement.

Julius Tan Dr Tan works as a locum GP in south London and is a committee member of Junior International Committee, RCGP. He would like to thank his trainers, friends, and parents for their unwavering support.

Lavanya Vimalan

Kaniz Akter Jahan

Dr Vimalan would like to thank their family and friends for all their support.

Dr Jahan would like to thank her family and friends for all their support.

Luvarnia Sadasivan Dr Sadasivan would like to thank her husband, Shiv, for being her loudest cheerleader, her family for their love, her dad, Ramesh, for being her role model, and Dr Holroyd for her tremendous support.

Katie Elizabeth Scott Dr Scott would like to thank her family and friends for all their support.

Kehinde Hussein Abdul Kareem

Madalina Violeta Topor

Dr Kareem is a salaried GP at Ford Medical Practice, Liverpool with a keen interest in out of hours work.

He would like to thank his wife and mother for their continued support during his training. Graduation is not the end; it is the beginning.

Dr Topor moved from Romania in 2017 and began her GP training in 2020. She is now working as salaried GP in Cornwall. She would like to thank her partner and her friends for the endless support over the last few years.

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Members’ and Fellows' Ceremony

Maria Lia Lopez

Mehreen Arien

Dr Lopez began her training in Argentina, and is delighted to have her friends, Ariel and Ivan, with her today to celebrate. To quote Marie Curie: "We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained."

Dr Arien works as a salaried GP in Crouch End, north London. She has special interests in women's health and teaching. She would like to thank her family for all their support.

Mehwish Bano

Dr Bacon would like to thank their friends and family for all their support.

Dr Bano is working as a salaried GP in Redbridge. She is grateful to her parents, husband, and child for their unwavering support throughout this journey.

Maya Elias Kfoury

Mohammed Sharkawy

Dr Kfoury is a salaried GP in Oxfordshire. She dedicates this to family members who are present and ones who are watching over her. She is grateful to her mother for her support and love, to her sister and aunts for their prayers, and thankful to her husband for his care and encouragement.

Dr Sharkawy would like to thank his family, the Director of Kuwaiti Family Medicine Board, Dr Deena Aldhubaib, for her support and all his colleagues who helped him to stand here today.

Maxim Bacon

Mostafa Ahmed Dr Ahmed would like to thank their family and friends for all their support.

Meagan Lau

Nimsha Abdulmajid

Dr Lau would like to thank her family and friends for all their support.

Dr Abdulmajid works as a salaried GP in the Emirates Health Services, Dubai.

She is also a Lactation Consultant. She would like to thank the Government of UAE and its rulers for providing her the opportunity to grow and her children and spouse for their trust in her.

Meera Shah Dr Shah is a salaried GP in her training practice, Kingston Health Centre and a GP SPIN fellow at Kingston Chambers.

She would like to thank her family, Dr Beattie (ES), Dr Payne (AD) and Carol Leather for their endless support and encouragement during the hurdles of training and the next chapter.

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Members’ and Fellows' Ceremony

Nirbhai Singh Pannu

Ondavulitha Nuunyango

Dr Pannu works as a locum GP in the Berkshire area with a special interest in lifestyle medicine.

Dr Nuunyango would like to thank her family and friends for all their support.

Opeyemi Dimeji Akinnawonu Noshina Arshad Dr Arshad is delighted to be a salaried GP in Berkshire. She is grateful to God, her parents, husband Arshad and children Haniya, Haadi and Alishba for their never-ending support during GP training.

Dr Akinnawonu thanks his father who nurtured and contributed immensely to this dream. He also thanks his wife, who has been the biggest support in his career and especially in achieving this feat, and his teachers and mentors. His children encourage him daily and keep him going.

Noureen Siddiqi

Poornima Chaitanya Joshi

Dr Siddiqi works as a GP in Essex and has a keen interest in medical health education. She would like to thank her parents, husband, and two sons for supporting her well in this journey.

Dr Joshi is thankful to her husband, Chaitanya, who is here today and her family.They endlessly supported her to be able to celebrate today.

Priyankan Rajeswaran

Olajumoke Deborah Momoh

Dr Rajeswaran would like to thank their family and friends for all their support.

Dr Momoh works as a salaried GP in Kent with a special interest in mental health. She would like to thank her husband, children, and the Buraimohs for the support.

Radhika Sholapurkar Dr Sholapurkar is a salaried GP at Farnham Road Surgery in Slough and a specialty doctor at Thames Hospice in Maidenhead. She would like to thank her family for all their support.

Olurotimi Idris Abiodun Kabiawu Dr Kabiawu would like to thank their friends and family for all their support.

Oluwaseyi Tosin Babatunde

Ravi

Dr Babatunde would like to thank her husband for his unrelenting support through this journey. It wasn't easy, but it is worth it.

Dr Ravi would like to thank his family and friends for all their support.

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Members’ and Fellows' Ceremony

Reaz Fatema Popy

Sabrina Ahmed

Dr Popy works as a GP in London.

Dr Ahmed is profoundly grateful to her family, especially her parents, for their unwavering support on her journey to becoming a GP. Their love, prayers and encouragement made it all possible.

Rebecca Louise Lockhart Dr Lockhart works in the Sussex and Surrey area with specialist interests in women's heath and minor surgery. She would like to thank her trainer and family for all their support.

Sana Riany Dr Riany would like to thank her family and friends for all their support.

Rebecca Najem

Sanjivani Ganjewar

Dr Najem is a GP practicing in London and would like to thank her husband and her family for their endless support.

Rebecca Piper Dr Piper is a salaried GP in Basingstoke.

She would like to thank her family for all their support during training and beyond.

Dr Ganjewar is a GP working in London.

She would like to thank her parents, Mr and Mrs Deoshatwar, who are here in attendance to celebrate her success.

She would also like to thank her husband, Dr Laxmikant, and children for their support. Huge thanks to her trainer and colleagues.

Sarah Shahzad

Rickin Dattani

Dr Shahzad would like to thank her family and friends for all their support.

Dr Dattani began his GP training in 2020 and is delighted to have his loved ones here today, to celebrate the end of a long journey, and the start of a new chapter. He would like to thank his family for their endless support during his training, which he owes his success to.

Saad Khurram

Simrit Kudhail Dr Kudhail has recently moved to Manchester and taken up the Northwest Fellowship in Palliative Care and Medical Education. He would like to thank all who have supported him.

Sinthuja Ragupathy

Dr Khurram is working as a GP in Lincolnshire and is ever so grateful to his parents and loving wife, Rayshum.

Dr Ragupathy would like to thank her family and friends for all their support.

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Members’ and Fellows' Ceremony

Sonia Sultana

Tiago Miguel Ferreira Ivo

Dr Sultana started her NHS journey in 2012, immigrating from Bangladesh.

This has given her the opportunity to achieve her dream; to serve people from all walks of life. She would like to express her gratitude towards her family, supervisors, colleagues and the NHS for all her accomplishments.

Dr Ivo is a GP with a special interest in dermatology and teaching. He would like to thank his mum, Stella, brother, David, and his partner, Anabella, for their unwavering love and support.

Tive Egbonoje Dr Egbonoje would like to thank his family and friends for all their support.

Sotiris Dimosthenous Dr Dimosthenous began his training in the UK in 2016 and is delighted to have his family and loved ones here today to celebrate the end of a long journey, and the start of a new chapter.

Yvonne Georgina Nsiah Dr Nsiah focuses on Global Women's Health. She especially thanks her mother, Florence, to whom she honors with this qualification and she extends a special mention to all women – for her work has just begun

Sujata Vinod kumar Dr Kumar is working as GP partner in her home town of Kent. She would like to thank her family and loved ones for their endless support during her training and now.

Sundus Abid Dr Abid works as a salaried GP in Rugby. She would like to thanks her parents, husband, and her children.

Taimur Ibrahim Dr Ibrahim says Alhumduillah and credits his achievements to his beloved father and mother and their unwavering support through difficult circumstances.

He also thanks Non Moz and Shakira.

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Fellows’ Presentation

Members’ and Fellows' Ceremony

Akbar Khan

Mary Sowerby

Dr Khan is a GP Principal. He is dedicated and passionate in teaching and training. He received the “Supporting the Student Experience" award and was nominated for the RCGP “Teaching and Supervision Award”.

Dr Sowerby is a Senior GP Partner and GP Appraiser in the rural heart of east Yorkshire, between the Wolds and the Coast.

Andrew Parsons

Dr Shah is a senior partner and trainer at The Grove Medical Centre, London.

He dedicates the award to his parents, family, and colleagues.

Dr Parsons works as a GP in Keighley and was fundamental in the formation of Modality AWC. He would like to thank Vicky, Anna, Zach and all his family and friends who have supported his journey.

Mayank Ramanlal Shah

Olugbenga Akeem Odutola Dr Odutola is a GP partner in Essex. He is a pillar of support to his local general practice populace, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is grateful for the support from his wife and family.

Dania Shoeb Dr Shoeb has a strong passion for research education and development leading to her PhD. She is a GP trainer, trainers workshop convenor and has an interest in peer support and medical education.

Dr Dayala would like to thank her family and friends for all their support.

Deborah Livesey

Shabana Ali

Dr Livesey is a GP partner in Yorkshire for the AWC division of the Modality Partnership, a national superpartnership. She is Medical Director of the largest practice in England with 87,000 patients.

Dr Ali would like to thank her family and friends for all their support.

Sabia Dayala

Manir Aslam Dr Aslam has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of primary care across the west Birmingham region. He has held tenure at many governing bodies and chairmanships and was involved in the Birmingham Covid Outbreak Board alongside a partnership role in the Black Country Gold command.

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Members’ and Fellows' Ceremony

Fellow-elects Naveen Nischal Hosangadi Jayadev Dr Naveen is a GP partner in Clowne and Training Programme Director in Chesterfield. He is working to level the playing field for overseas doctors and facilitate their cultural transition to GP training.

Alexandra Pauline Lilian Jones Dr Jones is a salaried GP in Salisbury and has an interest in medical education. She would like to thank Dr Helena McKeown, Dr Susi Caesar and Dr James Banfield, and her family and friends.

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Awards Ceremony

Honorary Fellowship Honorary Fellowship is given for outstanding work towards the objectives of the College. It can be awarded to doctors and non-doctors from the UK and overseas.

Valerie Vaughan-Dick She has created a Digital Transformation Programme with College Officers to enhance stakeholder experience in the UK and worldwide.

Valerie Vaughan-Dick joined the College as Executive Director, Planning and Resources in 2014. She was the College's COO from 2017 - 2022, leading it through one of the most challenging times in its 70-year history.

Her achievements include guiding the College through the pandemic and helping to move all its operations, including a new examination to the online space.

As the lead for strategy, she also led the development of 2017-20 & 2020-23 College strategies to enable the delivery of 'Great doctors, great care'. She has always striven to support the College's commercial strategy /activities, ensuring consistency with RCGP values.

Her work is also in the international space, where she has led & delivered partnerships worth £0.7m to improve patient care in Kuwait, India, China, and Thailand. Valerie was a central figure in the bid team that won the WONCA Europe bid, which led to the College hosting the most significant international event in the history of the College, with over 2,800 delegates from over 80 different countries in 2022.

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She was particularly effective in her advocacy and leadership of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion agenda - an exceptional role model and an inspiration to others. Valerie understands the nature of professional organisations and has respected and supported the officer team.

Valerie worked tirelessly for the College.

Her skills and talent for finding the right way through difficult situations are unique. She works with humour, determination, and commitment.

Awards Ceremony

The Michael Drury Award The Michael Drury Award recognises exceptional service by a staff member working out with the College headquarters.

Amy Cope Amy Cope is the Wessex faculty administrator and also maintains and encourages the tri-faculty working with Severn and Tamar, initially started during the pandemic but building on the positive outcomes of the cross-faculty working.

She is a proactive and highly reliable event organiser and faculty administrator, suggesting innovations with which the faculty can be involved.

She has managed events from yoga to cooking, art therapy to singing, acknowledging that local face-to-face interaction is critical to sustaining membership in Wessex.

Amy has been the main instigator in organising post-pandemic events for the faculty. The Wessex annual awards dinner has been reinvigorated, and she has encouraged many of its younger members, AiTs and medical students from Southampton Medical School to attend. She has increased engagement with local six formers, introducing these to general practice.

Amy's recognition that involving AiTs early in their career is critical to faculty success has led to organising face-toface dinner meetings to meet the trainers and faculty board.

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Amy has recognised that Wessex late-career members are vital and has implemented 2 Fellowship dinners a year, which are well-attended but add a real sense of collegiality.

Amy's work with the Fellowship team is vital to the College. Fellows have an unmistakable sense of pride in being elected, and having Amy at a central role in that is very helpful to the faculty.

Awards Ceremony

The John Horder Award The John Horder Award is presented to a staff member who has given exceptional service in terms of promoting the objectives and values of the College.

Danielle Fisher Danielle Fisher is the College's Assistant Director of Policy, Research and Campaigns.

She is a precious, insightful and wise member of the policy team. She is understated and humble, hugely dedicated and driven by the RCGP mission 'to encourage, foster and maintain the highest standards of general practice'.

Danielle goes over and above to respond to the rapidly evolving policy developments. She is highly conscientious and maintains an overview of all policy areas, even the ones she is not directly involved in. She is also very collaborative; delegates work appropriately and support the more junior policy members to develop.

Danielle is a real asset within the policy team and is worthy of the John Horder Award.

Danielle's main strengths are her content expertise in all policy areas, the trust and respect with which the College's external partners hold her, and her ability to encourage the best from people around her. She is loyal, exceptionally hard-working, has good judgement and is value-driven.

Her ability to pick up new work areas and run with them is remarkable and necessary, given that she works as part of a relatively small policy and campaign team. Examples include her leadership of the College's inequalities, community engagement and QoF work.

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Royal College of General Practitioners 30 Euston Square London NW1 2FB +44 (0) 20 3188 7400 rcgp.org.uk

Share your Ceremony #MRCGP #FRCGP​ @rcgp ​ @royalcollegeofgps Royal College of General Practitioners is a registered charity in England and Wales (Number 223106) and Scotland (Number SC040430)

Royal College of General Practitioners 30 Euston Square London NW1 2FB +44 (0) 20 3188 7400 rcgp.org.uk

Share your Ceremony #MRCGP #FRCGP​ @rcgp ​ @royalcollegeofgps Royal College of General Practitioners is a registered charity in England and Wales (Number 223106) and Scotland (Number SC040430)