SLaM psychiatrist recognised with Resident Doctor of the Year award
Dr Martin Osugo, an NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, has won an award from the Royal College of Psychiatrists London Division.
Dr Osugo received the London Core Resident Doctor of the Year award, which recognises exceptional achievements across clinical practice, research, education, leadership and professionalism.
We spoke to Dr Osugo about his award, his journey into psychiatry and what it means to have his work recognised.
Dr Osugo, Specialist Registrar and researcher at South London and Maudsley, said:
“Being a doctor and being a psychiatrist is a really big part of who I am, so it was really special for that to be recognised in that way.”
Martin’s career in psychiatry
Dr Osugo has been at South London and Maudsley since 2019. Before starting his clinical training, he completed his PhD in the Department of Psychosis Studies at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London.
His research focused on the neurobiology of negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Since returning to clinical training as an Academic Clinical Fellow in Psychiatry at South London and Maudsley and King’s College London, the balance of his work has shifted, with most of his time now spent in clinical practice.
Dr Osugo said: “Before 2024 I was spending about 75% of my time doing research and 25% in clinical practice. Now that’s flipped the other way.”
His interest in psychiatry began early in his medical career, when he was 17 and in his first year of medical school.
For Dr Osugo, psychiatry brings together science, compassion and a deep interest in what it means to be human. “I think Psychiatry is by far the most interesting area of medicine! It concerns what it means to be human in general and an individual person specifically, and how we understand ourselves and other people.”
Recognition at the RCPsych London Division awards
Dr Osugo received his award from the Royal College of Psychiatrists at the London Division awards at the end of June.
The award recognised his work across research, teaching and clinical practice, as well as his contribution to psychiatry more widely.
Dr Osugo said it was particularly meaningful to receive recognition for the clinical side of his work.
“For me, the clinical side is really the more important side. That’s where we get our understanding of patients’ priorities.”
He added that working directly with patients is essential to meaningful research, as it helps clinical academics understand what matters most to the people they support.
Reflecting on the award
Dr Osugo said receiving the award reinforced how important psychiatry is to his identity.
“Getting my PhD was a real highlight, but this award recognised the wider contribution I make as a clinician, teacher and researcher.”
He said the award reflected a successful year in which he completed his PhD, published several papers and continued to contribute to clinical practice and teaching.
Reflecting on psychiatry, Dr Osugo said it is a privilege to support people through some of the most difficult and confusing experiences in their lives. He also highlighted the importance of research in improving care and outcomes for patients.
Although the award recognises Dr Osugo’s individual achievements, he said it also reflects the support of colleagues, students, patients and teams around him.
“One person gets an award, but really it’s a team award.”
A huge congratulations to Dr Osugo on this significant achievement.