Final-year radiotherapy and oncology student Raymond Amoako was named UK Therapeutic Student Radiographer of the Year, while senior lecturer Jo McNamara took home the award for Radiography Professional of the Year for the Yorkshire and Humber region.
The awards, held on Wednesday 8 November to coincide with World Radiography Day, celebrate the individuals, teams, representatives, and students from across the UK who have made an impact on radiography, from patient care to academic excellence.
Raymond received the accolade for his work to support other students and encouraging young people to consider a career in radiography.
In 2022, Raymond applied for the Health Education England and Council of Deans 150 Students’ Leadership Programme. As part of this he has worked on a project to support inclusive education, focusing on the impact of radiation-induced skin reactions on people of colour.
Raymond also helped to re-establish a Radiography Society at Sheffield Hallam to provide peer support for other students on the course as well as designing a placement guide so students understand what to expect when starting clinical placements.
He has also given talks at national NHS Careers events and is training to be a STEM ambassador to enable him to visit schools to promote and inspire young people to consider the profession.
Raymond said: “Winning this award is like catching a shooting star; it is such a rare and magical moment that fills my heart with gratitude. It is not just an achievement but a testament to self-belief, hard work, dedication, and immense support from my lecturers.”
Jo received her award for her work to raise the profile of the profession. She graduated as a therapeutic radiographer in 2004 from Sheffield Hallam University and worked at Leicester Royal Infirmary and Weston Park Hospital before becoming a lecturer at the University in 2009.
Alongside her teaching and research, Jo co-hosts Rad Chat, a multi-award winning podcast designed for cancer patients, healthcare professionals, academics and researchers. The podcast is designed to educate and inform healthcare professionals working in oncology to assist their ongoing development as well as a support tool for people living with and beyond cancer.
On receiving her award, Jo said: “It is a real privilege to have received this award for this prestigious award. I am really proud to be a therapeutic radiographer and belong to such an amazing profession. I am very lucky to love what I do, helping improve the lives of people living with and beyond cancer through my work with Rad Chat, as well as support the future workforce to excel and strive for excellence in their practice, improving the patient radiotherapy experience.”
As well as winning an award himself, Raymond also nominated Jo for her award.
Raymond added: “Her faith and confidence in me has changed my life ever since, and I have never looked back. Over the years she pushed me above and beyond my comfort to get involved in many extra-curricular activities both within and outside my university.”
