Excellent Longstanding Service Awards 2025
We are delighted to be able to once again show our gratitude to this year’s recipients of the Excellent Longstanding Service to Undergraduate Clinical Education Awards.
Their longstanding dedication and commitment to student education has been exceptional and our medical students have greatly benefitted from these tutors’ teaching, support and expertise over many years. The 12 recipients of the Excellent Longstanding Service to Undergraduate Clinical Education Awards for 2025 are:
Dr Claire Hazledine has been a dedicated clinical skills educator in the Leeds Institute of Medical Education for 16 years, delivering outstanding teaching and assessment to MBChB and Physician Associate students. Her meticulous planning and leadership ensure the smooth running of OSCEs, consistently praised by students and external examiners. She creates and reviews high-quality clinical skills stations, co-writes examiner training, and leads BLS and online resource coordination. As a trusted academic tutor, she supports students with complex needs and mentors new educators. Claire’s passion, professionalism, and commitment to student-centred education have shaped future healthcare professionals and make her a truly deserving candidate for an Excellent Longstanding Service Award.
We are honoured to award the late Kay Henderson for an Excellent Longstanding Service Award. Tragically Kay passed away earlier this year, and we are pleased to welcome her family here to the Conference to receive this award.
Caption: Excellent Longstanding Service Award 2025 recipient: The late Kay Henderson
Caption: L to R Jools Symons (Patient and Public Involvement Manager), Jenny and Jessica Henderson (daughter and granddaughter of the late Kay Henderson)
Over many years Kay made a significant and positive contribution to student education within the School of Medicine. As the founding member of the Patient Carer Community, Kay established the patient, carer voice in the medical curriculum and created a community which is now integral to the delivery of many of our clinical programmes, including medicine.
Kay inspired both colleagues and students alike with her warmth, professionalism and integrity. Her unwavering commitment to educating the next generation of healthcare professionals was a driving force. The impact of her legacy will be long lasting, continuing to support the development of compassionate, caring and empathetic healthcare professionals.
Dr Anne Cooper (Leeds and York Partnership Foundation Trust) has dedicated over 15 years to undergraduate medical education, leading psychiatry placements with exceptional commitment, compassion, and innovation. As Director of Undergraduate Medical Education, she has shaped the learning experience of over 120 students annually, ensuring exposure to diverse subspecialties and providing outstanding pastoral support. Her leadership during the pandemic, mentorship of colleagues, and integration of technology into teaching have elevated educational standards. Dr Cooper inspires students and staff alike, consistently receiving excellent feedback. Her tireless dedication, warmth, and advocacy for student wellbeing make her a truly deserving recipient of this longstanding service award.
Dr Robin Jeffrey (Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust) has consistently delivered high-quality undergraduate teaching with compassion, professionalism, and innovation for over 25 years. He is highly respected for his approachable nature, excellent communication skills, and commitment to student wellbeing. Dr Jeffrey’s leadership in timetable organisation and responsiveness to staff and student needs ensures a smooth and enriching learning experience. His teaching empowers students to think critically and build clinical confidence, leaving a lasting impact on their development. Dr Jeffrey’s enduring contribution has shaped future doctors and elevated educational standards at Bradford, making him a truly deserving recipient of this award.
Caption: Recipients of the Excellent Longstanding Service Award 2025, presented by Laura Smith Deputy Dean (Education), Faculty of Medicine and Health (Centre). L to R: Dr Michelle Eldridge, Dr Louise Gazeley, Dr Ibraheem Syed and Dr Anne Steyn.
Caption: Excellent Longstanding Service Award 2025 recipient: Dr Deborah Hallott
Caption: Excellent Longstanding Service Award 2025 recipient: Dr Sarah Harding
Dr Michelle Eldridge (Saltaire & Windhill Medical Partnership) has provided over 15 years of exceptional support for Leeds medical students at her practice. She has supervised students across Years 3 and 5, consistently delivering high-quality teaching and creating an inclusive, well-structured learning environment. Dr Eldridge’s leadership as Deputy MBChB Lead and her previous roles within the School of Medicine enrich her clinical teaching and student experience. Her placements receive outstanding feedback for excellent organisation, engaging teaching, and opportunities for hands-on learning. Dr Eldridge’s dedication and long-standing contribution make her a highly deserving recipient of the Excellent Longstanding Service Award.
For over 15 years, Dr Louise Gazeley (Moorside Surgery, Bradford) has provided exceptional support for Leeds medical students at her practice. She has supervised students across Years 3–5, consistently delivering high-quality teaching and meeting all QA standards through CPD, peer review, and OSCE examining. As Head of Education in Primary Care and Academic Sub-Dean for Year 5, Dr Gazeley brings unique insight to both clinical and academic roles. Her practice holds the University of Leeds Associated Teaching Practice Status and receives outstanding feedback for structured teaching, student-led clinics, and personalised development. Dr Gazeley’s dedication and leadership make her a highly deserving recipient of this award.
Dr Kristan Toft (Leeds Institute of Health Sciences) Kristan’s contribution to medical education has been truly transformative. Beginning as a GP tutor in 1997, she quickly became a driving force for innovation, creating opportunities that shaped generations of future doctors. Her vision led to the pioneering intercalated BSc in Primary Care, later expanding into the Applied Health Suite. This suite of programmes inspired students to publish, present nationally and lead conferences. Alongside completing a MSc in Primary Care Education, Kristan held numerous leadership roles and influenced curriculum development at every level within the MBChB programme. Her dedication has left an enduring legacy, with countless graduates now thriving as GPs. Kristan’s passion, creativity, and commitment have enriched the profession immeasurably, and this is celebrated through the presentation of the Excellent Longstanding service Award.
Dr Anne Steyn (Meltham Road Surgery, Huddersfield), Dr Deborah Hallott (New Southgate Surgery, Wakefield), Dr Ibraheem Syed (Park Road Medical Centre, Guiseley), Dr Majid Azeb (Southowram Surgery, Halifax), and Dr Sarah Harding (Park Edge Practice, Leeds) have all been recognised as outstanding clinical educators in primary care undergraduate medical education. Collectively, they have each provided over 15 years of high-quality teaching and mentorship, consistently meeting all School of Medicine quality assurance standards through CPD engagement, peer review, and OSCE examining. Their practices foster welcoming, supportive environments that offer diverse clinical exposure and hands-on learning opportunities, consistently earning excellent student feedback. Through their dedication, leadership, and commitment to patient-centred, structured teaching, they have shaped generations of future clinicians. Their enduring impact and exemplary service make them highly deserving recipients of the Excellent Longstanding Service Award 2025.
