Dr Abu Abraham Scoops Psychiatric Trainer of the Year

Dr Abu Abraham, a clinical tutor at South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, has been named Psychiatric Trainer of the Year 2014 by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

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.

Abu was presented with his award by Professor Sir Peter Rubin, Chair, GMC, at a prestigious ceremony held at the College on 6 November.

Dr Abu Abraham said: "I'm delighted and honoured to have received this award, and it was wonderful to be recognised!"

Abu’s achievements include developing and managing the Essex MRCPsych course, clinical and educational supervisors training, and workplace-based assessments training. Within the trust he created a task force to support foundation doctors, increased the opportunities for attachments and taster sessions in psychiatry, and is lead for the Eastern Deanery’s ‘Five a year project’ to improve local recruitment.

Competition for the RCPsych Awards is extremely tough, and the judging panels were impressed by the quality of this year’s entries. The judges said: “Dr Abraham’s span of achievement is everywhere, from inspiring individual students and doctors to contributing to the introduction of system-wide innovations to training. He gives his time freely to individual doctors and trainers, as well as to devising ways of using new technologies to enhance learners’ experience. Truly an all-round inspirational trainer!”

Nominations for the RCPsych Awards 2015 will open in February.

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