The ASit TRAINER Awards 2022

Recognising Excellence in Surgical Training since 2000

THE ASIT Silver scalpel award

Over the past two decades, the prestigious Silver Scalpel Award has played a vital part in recognising trainers who go the extra mile for their trainees and promote the highest standards of surgical training.

At a time of constant flux in the NHS, with training increasingly squeezed by demands on service, it is more important than ever that we recognise and reward good trainers. Training goes hand in hand with providing excellent patient care, and Silver Scalpel winners also deliver an exemplary service to their patients, creating a positive clinical environment and learning culture for trainees.

Eligibility: any consultant surgeon working in the UK and ROI

Now in its 22nd iteration, ASiT is grateful to Swann-Morton for continuing to support this prestigious award.

Silver Scalpel Award 2022 Winner: Professor Peter Brennan, Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust

Shortlisted Candidates 2022: 

• Mr Steve Odogwu (Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, Walsall Manor Hospital)
• Prof. Peter Brennan (Consultant Maxillofacial Surgeon, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust)
• Ms Tayo Oke (Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, Queen Elizabeth Hospital)
• Mr Alexander Phillips (Consultant Oesophagogastric Surgeon, Royal Victoria Infirmary)
• Mr Stavros Gourgiotis (Upper GI & Emergency Surgery Consultant, Addenbrookes Hospital)

THE ASIT SILVER Suture AWARD

This award was introduced three years ago to recognise outstanding trainers at an ST3+ level and acknowledge that not all training takes place by consultants.

Eligibility:

• All UK and ROI doctors at a Higher Surgical Training level (not limited to formal training programmes)
• All doctors working within surgical posts who are not established Consultants or Associate Specialists
• Consultant or Associate Specialist Surgeons in their first year of practice who are nominated by their peers for education delivered during their final year of training will be considered
• Nominations for doctors in more than one category, current ASiT Council or Executive Committee members and self-nominations will not be accepted

ASiT would like to thank The Faculty of Surgical Trainers for its sponsorship of this award.

Silver Suture Award 2022 Winner: Mr Ricky Ellis, Urology ST5, University Hospital West Midlands

Shortlisted Candidates 2022

• Mr Mohamed Abdelrahman (Upper GI ST7, Derriford Hospital)
• Ms Ruth Parks (Breast Surgery Registrar, Nottingham City Hospital)
• Mr Ricky Ellis (Urology ST5, University Hospital West Midlands)

THE ASIT SILVER SCissors AWARD

With the increasing challenges facing surgical trainees, many are being supported and mentored by not only excellent trainers but excellent peers who support, guide and inspire. ASiT is delighted to introduce a new category for this year's awards to recognise more junior trainer grades (FY1 to CT2 or equivalent).

Eligibility:

• All UK and ROI doctors working at a Foundation or Core Surgical Training level (not limited to formalised training programmes)
• All doctors working within surgical posts who are not established Higher Surgical Trainees, Registrars, Consultants or Associate Specialists
• Nominations for doctors in posts with non-surgical rotations (e.g. Foundation Programmes) will be considered if the nomination pertains to training provided in surgical jobs
• Nominations for doctors in more than one category, current ASiT Council or Executive Committee members and self-nominations will not be accepted

This award is kindly sponsored by BBraun.

Silver Scissors Award 2022 Winner: Mr Arjun Nathan, Urology ST2, London

Shortlisted Candidates 2022: 

• Dr Kelsey Mills (Clinical Teaching Fellow, Glasgow)
• Mr Arjun Nathan (Urology ST2, London)
• Dr Amy Owen (Core Surgical Trainee, Wales)

Guidance for Nominations

Please email all nominations as a single Word document file to info@asit.org with the email subject "Silver Scalpel Nomination 2022".

Nominations should be a maximum of one A4 page detailing why you think your nominee is an exceptional surgical trainer and deserves the award. In particular, please describe your trainer under the following headings in your nomination:

• Leadership
• Resourcefulness
• Training and Development
• Professionalism
• Communication
• Promoting Equality and Diversity

Supporting evidence from other trainees, consultants, nursing and allied health practitioners can be provided within the nomination.

The top nominations will be selected for interviews by members of the Faculty of Surgical Trainers and the ASiT Executive Committee and the shortlisted candidates after interviews will be invited to join us at the 2023 ASiT Annual Conference in Liverpool where the winners will be announced. We look forward to receiving your nominations!