Glittering awards night celebrates teaching excellence at Hull York Medical School

On Thursday 1 June, over 150 guests came together to celebrate the exceptional medical education and support provided to Hull York Medical School Medicine and Physician Associate students, at the School’s annual Teaching Excellence Awards (#HYMSawards).  

The glittering event saw prizes awarded in seven categories, and was attended by primary and secondary care tutors and senior representatives from the School’s NHS Trust and University partners, as well as clinical skills and problem based learning (PBL) tutors, support colleagues, student liaison teams and students.  

The student-led Teaching Excellence Awards provide an opportunity for students on the undergraduate Medicine and postgraduate Physician Associate Studies programmes to recognise those tutors and colleagues who have gone the extra mile to support them in their studies, on clinical placement or in PBL sessions, as well as in a pastoral or extra-curricular capacity.  

Presenting duties were undertaken by a mixture of Medicine and Physician Associate students, who were given the opportunity to share some of the comments about winners, submitted as part of the nominations process.  

Student Co-Chair of the Hull York Medical School Student Staff Committee Connor Danson welcomed guests on behalf of the student body. He said: 

"Eighty per cent of the way through our Medical School journey, my peers and I can look back on the challenges we’ve encountered along the way, and realise we could have only been in this position, approaching the final stage of our training, with the dedicated support and effort of educational supervisors, PBL tutors, clinical skills facilitators, programme assistants, junior doctors, student liaison officers, and that’s to name just a few! I’d like to say thank you to each and every person here this evening, and of course also to those who couldn’t make it. We truly appreciate the effort afforded to us and hope that these awards can go some way in acknowledging that." 

Welcoming guests to the event, Dean of Hull York Medical School Professor Una Macleod said: 

"The awards recognise the commitment of our tutors to providing not just medical education, but exceptional medical education. This is what makes us a different kind of medical school: our students don’t just become doctors and Physician Associates, they become brilliant doctors and Physician Associates, fully equipped with the skills they need to succeed in an ever-changing NHS." 

View a complete list of this year's nominees and awards criteria.  

Winners of the 2023 Teaching Excellence Awards  

Phase I Medicine and Medicine with a Gateway Year Tutor of Excellence award  

Dr Paul Whybrow, Health and Society Lecturer and Medicine With a Gateway Year Lead, Hull 

"Makes a significant difference in the academic and personal growth of his students"   

"Able to create a warm and supportive environment, fostering learning and growth"   

"Delivers excellent pastoral care"   

Dr Benjamin Huggon, Clinical Placement Tutor - Secondary Care (Clinical Teaching Fellow), Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
 
"An exceptional tutor with a unique teaching approach that promotes interactivity and inclusivity"   

"Shows real dedication to students’ education"   

"Excellent teaching skills"   

Dr Nikita Nighoskar, Clinical Placement Tutor - Secondary Care (Clinical Teaching Fellow), York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust  

"Helps students to grow in confidence"   

"Goes above and beyond to not only develop our consultation skills, but also prepare for exams"   

Dr Nicholas Sykes, PBL/Clinical Skills Tutor, York 

"Offers great academic advice and is very motivating" 

"Makes sure that everyone feels respected and cared for" 

"An excellent PBL tutor" 

Dr Samantha Ryder, PBL/Clinical Skills Tutor, Hull 

"Very caring as well as professional" 

"Made sessions extremely fun and included everyone" 

"Has a natural ability to inspire and guide her students" 

Nursing & Allied Health Professions award  

Ellis Baker, Registered Nurse, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust  

"Extremely welcoming"   

"Offers invaluable advice"   

"Provides a warm and reassuring presence on placement"   

Deborah Birks, Healthcare Assistant, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust   

"Incredibly supportive"   

"Liaises brilliantly with other members of the team"   

"Provides a really positive and valuable experience"   

 

Physician Associate Tutor of Excellence award  

Polly Snelling, Clinical Placement Tutor - Secondary Care (Physician Associate), Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust   

"A provider of truly excellent teaching and support"   

"Challenges our thinking in a positive way"   

"Great at providing constructive feedback"   

Beth Cosgrove , Clinical Placement Tutor - Primary Care (Physician Associate), Kingston Medical Centre, Hull 

"Demonstrates outstanding collaborative skills, linking with nurses, HCAs, doctors and more, to provide a positive picture of the role a PA can play within the primary care system"   

"Incredibly supportive, and always available to discuss questions or concerns"   

   

Phase II & III Tutor of Excellence Award  

Dr Dora Zovko,  Clinical Placement Tutor - Secondary Care (Clinical Teaching Fellow), Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust   

"Continually went above and beyond during our placement"   

"Provided a safe space to practise our consultation skills"   

"Provided exceptional pastoral support, maintaining great relationships with students"   

Dr Matthew Shaw, Clinical Placement Tutor - Primary Care, Sleights and Sandsend Medical Practice, Whitby

"An excellent tutor"   

"Provided teaching that was well organised, engaging and of high quality"   

"Made us feel welcome and comfortable on placement"   

Dr Alasdair Duncan, Clinical Placement Tutor - Secondary Care (Psychiatry), Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust   

"Has been a fantastic and inspiring tutor"   

"Encourages independence"   

"Makes students feel like welcomed and respected members of the team"   

Dr Samantha Thomas, Clinical Placement Tutor - Secondary Care (Clinical Teaching Fellow), South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust   

"Provides a level of commitment and kindness to students above and beyond what would be expected"   

"Offers unique opportunities to help professional development"   

"Fosters a genuine connection with students"   

Dr Mohammed Balousha, Clinical Placement Tutor - Secondary Care (Surgery), York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 

"Incredibly inclusive"  

"Always there to teach, and willing to aid students in any way possible"  

"Really goes the extra mile to make our experience as beneficial as possible”  

Rayan Alomaim, Clinical Placement Tutor - Secondary Care (Clinical Teaching Fellow), Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust 

"A font of knowledge and an excellent teacher"   

"Offers great feedback on bedside teaching sessions"   

"Provides open and honest insights into working as a doctor"   

Dr Mustafa Ksayer, Clinical Placement Tutor - Secondary Care (Clinical Teaching Fellow), Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust   

"Friendly and approachable"   

"His enthusiasm makes teaching sessions highly engaging"   

"Shares invaluable expertise on medical specialties"   

   

Administrative Support award  

Nancy Panagiotopoulou, Phase Co-ordinator, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 

"Incredible organisational skills"   

"Always lending a listening ear when needed"   

"Goes above and beyond to support students"   

Heidi Wright, Undergraduate Administration Assistant, Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust  

"Extremely helpful"   

"Quick to solve problems"   

"Incredibly supportive of students on placement"   

 
 
Team Excellence award  

Ampleforth Surgery, Ampleforth   

"Made us feel appreciated and welcomed on placement"   

"Provide a real taster of being a valuable part of a clinical team"   

"The team’s support and kindness really enables students to flourish"   

Dove House Hospice Medical Team, Hull   

"The highlight of my entire rotation in Hull. The medical team were incredibly welcoming and make students feel part of the team right from the start"  

"Every patient interaction is a potential teaching and learning opportunity"
  
"One of the most insightful and beneficial experiences whilst in Phase II"   

Harrison House Mental Health Team, Grimsby 

"A great environment for learning"   

"Endless opportunities to ask questions"   

"Allows us to develop a deeper understanding of the patient experience"   

Scunthorpe Clinical Skills Team   

"Make sure students are well supported and learn in a safe and comfortable environment"   

"Deliver a fun learning experience"   

"Incredibly supportive"   

  

Exceptional Contribution to Student Experience award  

Steven Dumont, Clinical Placement Tutor - Secondary Care (Physician Associate Clinical Teaching Fellow), Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 

"Passionate about delivering excellent medical education delivered through interactive learning sessions"
  
"Encouraging, non-judgmental and supportive, with a positive attitude that pushes us to be better"
  
"Incredibly kind and compassionate towards patients"
  
"An inspiration, a true credit to Hull York Medical School, and a fantastic role model"   

Tracey Parker, Clinical Skills Facilitator, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 

"Consistent effort and enthusiasm in her approach to teaching"   

"Encouraging, supportive and massively appreciated by the students she teaches"   

"Committed to delivering fun and engaging teaching"   

"Part of a team where morale is always high and where going the extra mile is simply business as usual."