Each year Heads of School and the RCPCH Trainee Committee regional representatives are invited to submit the regional PAFTA winners to RCPCH for the national PAFTA.
We announced the winners at RCPCH Conference in Glasgow earlier today. Hear from each of the winners and two members of our judging panel!
Junior Trainee: Dr Kelly Boxall
South West: Peninsula
"I feel incredibly honoured to have been awarded the national PAFTA for junior trainee of the year. This achievement would not have been possible without the support and encouragement from my wonderful colleagues at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. I would like to thank every single one of them for helping me grow and develop over the last few years, and for making every day an absolute joy.
"It is a privilege to be able to work alongside such inspiring colleagues, and for that I will be forever grateful."
Senior Trainee: Dr Maddy Hover
Yorkshire and Humber
"I was very touched and honoured to receive the news about this PAFTA. I think it speaks volumes about my colleagues and the culture I work in; it means so much to know I work with people who take the time to value and celebrate each other, and recognise what we all invest in caring for our young patients, their families and the team. I hope I can make them all feel just as positive as they’ve made me feel.
"In best paediatrician style, I’m now considering whether it would look better in my ePortfolio or on my fridge!"
Educational supervisor: Dr Jo Walsh
Scotland
"I am quite overwhelmed to receive a national PAFTA. My thanks to those who nominated me: the Scotland Deanery and RCPCH for supporting me to develop skill in educational supervision.
"What could be more rewarding than contributing to the training and development of our next generation colleagues, particularly in the brilliant specialty of paediatric rheumatology. I feel that the multifaceted role of an ES is a privilege and always endeavour to do my best, taking the right decisions with individuals, whilst providing support, guidance, mentorship and gingerbread!
"That I have been acknowledged for doing something I enjoy is amazing and humbling. Thank you."
Dr Cathryn Chadwick, RCPCH Vice President for Training and Assessment and Chair of the National PAFTA Panel this year said:
"Scoring the nominations was no easy task, I was genuinely bowled over by the evidence of trainees and supervisors going above and beyond in their care of children and young people and their commitment to excellence in paediatrics, support and supervision. Well done to all of the nominees.
"When things can sometimes be a bit negative, the PAFTA process is a fantastic opportunity for some positivity and to recognise and celebrate excellence. Thank you to everyone who submitted such great nominations and made the judging panels job so difficult!"
Dr Emma Dyer, RCPCH Chair of the Trainee Committee, also part of the judging panel, said:
"It’s truly inspiring to see the passion and dedication to the health and wellbeing of children and young people, as well as the unwavering support for peers and colleagues, reflected in the nominations. While we know that working in the NHS can be tough, these nominations are a powerful reminder of the outstanding work paediatricians do every day.
"As always, the quality of submissions was exceptional, making the scoring process a hard job! A huge congratulations to our winners and to everyone nominated, both locally and nationally. We have a paediatric community to be very proud of!"