Top Doctor Takes Teaching Hospital Award

A Cardiac Physiologist has collected the ‘’Teaching Hospital’’ prize at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals’ (DBTH) annual Star Awards ceremony, which took place on 19 September 2019.

This accolade is intended to shine a spotlight on those who have gone the extra mile in order to improve the education offering at the Trust. Specifically, it acknowledges where members of Team DBTH have made a significant contribution to research, increased the quality of available training opportunities, or just generally helped to develop their colleagues so they can deliver better patient care.

This year, the ‘’Teaching Hospital’’ award was scooped by Alexandra Smith, Chief Cardiac Physiologist, who was recognised for her tireless work ethic when it comes to acting as a training lead for her department. Supporting students and junior cardio-respiratory staff, she has introduced a variety of new training packages, mentored apprentices, and assisted others in getting to grips with new tests and examinations.

Alexandra’s passion for helping colleagues reach their full potential spreads an atmosphere of positivity throughout the team, with them all valuing her drive and friendly attitude. What’s more, she regularly volunteers her own time to do some of this work, and is never too busy to offer support. As such, Alex has done wonders for the reputation of DBTH’s cardio-respiratory department, transforming it into a very desirable placement for Healthcare science undergrads and postgrads. In fact, it has been reported that budding students are now specifically requesting to be placed at the Trust, due to this encouraging word of mouth.

In addition to making the department a go-to-place for delivering high quality training, Alex has also done some great work outside of the hospital. Most notably, she has helped shape a new apprentice-level program, one that gives DBTH students access to useful theory at Sheffield Hallam University. When combined with the usual clinical training, this new offer helps graduates to emerge as more fully-rounded professionals, ready to treat patients and provide excellent care.

The program, which is the first of its kind in the country, is already proving to be incredibly popular and the inaugural cohort will be graduating in July 2020. It is down to Alex’s unending commitment to training and education, that DBTH has been involved with this pioneering scheme from the very beginning.

Suzy Brain England OBE, Trust Chair, said: ‘’As a Trust, we are all extremely proud of Alex, who has managed to accomplish so much whilst also staying on top of her usual clinical duties. Thanks to her, we are being positively talked about across the region and are celebrated as a forward-thinking and dedicated training hub for cardio-respiratory. She couldn’t be more deserving of this award.”

Speaking after the awards ceremony, Alex said: ‘’I am so touched to have received this award, but it doesn’t really belong to me. Ultimately it’s the students who put in all the hard work in and are at the centre of all we do. It has been a very dynamic and fulfilling few years in terms of development and education for healthcare science and having our work recognised in this way is truly an honour. Thank you’’

The DBTH Star Awards were held on Thursday 19 September at the Doncaster Dome and were presented by BBC Look North’s Harry Gration, MBE. With 11 awards handed out over the course of the evening – such as Unsung Hero of the Year, Leader of the Year and Volunteer of the Year – it was certainly a memorable night for all.