Doubleday prize: celebrating student success in healthcare
On Monday 11 November we’ll be celebrating the next generation of healthcare professionals at the annual Doubleday prize presentation evening.
The prizes will be presented by our President, Professor Gillian Leng CBE, alongside Professor Dame Robina Shah DBE, Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and Director of the Doubleday Centre for Patient Experience at the University of Manchester.
Commenting on the history of the prize, Dame Robina said: “The Doubleday Prize holds special significance as it honours the legacy of Dr Edwin Doubleday, whose commitment to person-centred care continues to guide our work at the Doubleday Centre for Patient Experience. The prize celebrates the achievements of medical students who exemplify the core values of patient partnership, empathy, and inclusivity—values that are at the heart of our Centre’s mission.
Professor Dame Robina Shah DBE pictured at this year’s Inauguration Ceremony
"I first launched the prize in 2021 when I was President of the Society and Medicine Section at the Royal Society of Medicine. In my capacity as Chair of the Doubleday Medical Schools Collaboration on Patient Partnership, which I founded in 2020, my colleagues from the collaboration act as judges of the prize essays. The prize itself is generously sponsored and funded by the Edwin Doubleday Trust.
"My personal involvement with the prize has been deeply rewarding. Each year, the prize serves to highlight the importance of training future doctors who not only excel in clinical competence but also demonstrate a deep understanding of the patient experience. This commitment to compassionate care is reflected in our students’ work and in the broader impact of the Doubleday Centre.
"The prize also helps to promote these values across medical schools in the UK, nurturing a culture where the patient’s voice is heard and respected. It’s a privilege to be part of this journey, as we continue to champion the principles of patient partnership in medical education.”
We also caught up with one of last year’s winners...
3rd place winner of the previous Doubleday prize, Hamaad Khan
We also caught up with one of last year’s winners, Hamaad Khan, to find out how winning the prize has impacted on his career.
“Winning the Doubleday Essay prize last year allowed me to connect further on my mission to improve health and care for all. A year on from winning, I’ve co-founded our national campaign Rethinking Health with support from the RSM, BMJ, Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and incredible individuals including Professor Gillian Leng, Professor Dame Robina Shah, Lord Nigel Crisp, Dame Donna Kinnair and more.
“We’re also launching our podcast Medicine Unheard, exploring and amplifying voices within medicine that are typically hushed and disempowered. We invite patients and physicians to explore their written works on the culture of medicine, their experience of care, and cross-cutting lessons from illness narratives. This platform also becomes a book club for all health care workers interested in empowering and championing the patient voice, and improving clinical culture.
“I am particularly grateful for Dame Robina from the Doubleday Foundation for providing support in championing our campaign Rethinking Health, and providing contacts to connect with.
“I’ve had several speaking engagements in the past few months with my speeches drawing directly from my Doubleday prize essay. This competition allowed to me crystallise my thoughts around patient-centred care and the nature of medicine itself - and it’s proved very useful. The Doubleday prize essay affords a rare opportunity to develop a critical outlook on the two most central questions for any future doctor: what is a doctor, and what is the role of medicine? It’s a brilliant opportunity that I encourage any future doctor to take part in.”