Congratulations to our colleagues who have received Fellowships from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

During a recent ceremony organised by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) to honour new Fellows, we celebrated the remarkable accomplishments of our Dr Afifa Qazi, Chief Medical Officer and Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Bosky Nair, Consultant Psychiatrist, and Dr Shivaram Chikkatagaiah, Consultant Psychiatrist.

Fellowships are awarded as a mark of distinction and recognition of contributions to psychiatry. It is an honour that shows their hard work and dedication in practice, research, and the prevention and treatment of mental illness. It highlights their significant contributions to the field over their careers.

Our colleagues achieved this recognition through a careful nomination process. A member of the RCPsych nominated them, and they were evaluated by the RCPsych’s committees. Those who succeed in this process receive the title of Fellowship by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (FRCPsych), which represents their outstanding professional achievements.

Afifa Qazi, Chief Medical Officer and Consultant Psychiatrist FRCPsych, has been nominated and awarded her Fellowship in recognition of her exemplary leadership and significant contributions to the field of psychiatry over her career of 20 years in the speciality. She has contributed to innovation in clinical practice, service transformation, teaching, training and research. She has published twelve articles in academic journals that have been reviewed by experts, demonstrating her dedication to enhancing the practice of psychiatry and delivering improved care for people with mental health needs.

Afifa shares, “I am deeply honoured to receive this Fellowship. Advancing psychiatric practice to improve patient care is a primary commitment of mine. This award is particularly meaningful as it highlights my dedication to working with others in the important promotion of psychiatry and mental health. I am also pleased to see my colleagues recognised for their exceptional expertise, as their contributions are invaluable to our field.”

Congratulations to Bosky Nair, Consultant Psychiatrist FRCPsych, who has been acknowledged for her outstanding expertise in perinatal mental health. Her research focuses on women’s mental health, parenting relationships, and early interventions in psychosis, which has made a significant impact in the field. Her contributions to international initiatives further demonstrate her commitment to advancing mental health and addressing vital issues at a system level.

We further congratulate Shivaram Chikkatagaiah, Consultant Psychiatrist FRCPsych, on his award, which acknowledges over a decade of experience and his commitment to supporting the development of mental health professionals. As a tutor and the Primary Care Network Lead, he has played a crucial role in the development of psychiatry in Kent and Medway.