In a remarkable union of mental health advocacy and medical education, You Okay, Doc? and Pastest came together to celebrate the second inaugural Liz Sizer Gala. This extraordinary event not only left attendees inspired but also reaffirmed their commitment to championing mental health within the medical community.

Dr. Daniel Gearon

Dr. Daniel Gearon, Founder of You Okay, Doc?, encapsulated the essence of the evening with a touching quote, encapsulating the spirit of unity and progress that defined this unforgettable event.

"The 2024 Sizer Gala was a huge success bringing together people, stories and support - it truly represented the power of the You Okay, Doc? & Pastest communities. A huge thank you to Pastest, I truly believe as an organisation they are visionary in the support they want to provide for doctors across the UK.”

Manley Hopkinson

Under the charismatic guidance of Manley Hopkinson, the evening commenced with a touching introduction to You Okay, Doc?'s mission—providing crucial support to healthcare professionals navigating mental health challenges. Dr. Liz Sizer's enduring legacy, serving as the founding inspiration for You Okay, Doc?, was honored by her sister Kate Beed, as a beacon of compassion, focus, and change within the healthcare landscape.

Dr. Benji Waterhouse

The Gala featured compelling speakers such as Dr. Benji Waterhouse, a Consultant Psychiatrist, comedian, and bestselling author. Dr. Waterhouse shared his personal journey with a delightful wit, shedding light on the significance of dismantling the stigma surrounding mental health dialogues.

Dr. Wendy Smethurst

Dr. Wendy Smethurst, Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist and You Okay, Doc? ambassador, delivered a poignant speech, sharing her touching story of resilience after losing her spouse to suicide and emphasising the invaluable support received from You Okay, Doc?

This remarkable event raised an impressive £35,000 in funds.

Dr. Mariam Pereira with the individual Liz Sizer Award

Furthermore, the night marked a pivotal moment with the presentation of the prestigious Liz Sizer Awards. Dr. Mariam Pereira, a dedicated GP Registrar in North Wales, was honored with the individual accolade for her outstanding dedication to transforming mental health through her widely praised podcast, "Safe Space," which has earned a spot in Apple's Top 20. Her podcast champions the well-being of healthcare professionals and stands as a beacon of support within the medical community.

"I set out to create a podcast to have meaningful discussions with healthcare leaders, and motivated professionals about the current crises in wellbeing and mental health in the healthcare workplace, personal experiences, and solutions to these issues." - Dr. Mariam Pereira

Drawing from her own challenging experiences in a healthcare work environment that left her feeling isolated, she sought to foster a sense of community. She initiated and led the Balint Group Program for Foundation Doctors at her hospital and later joined the Steering Group for Schwartz Rounds within the Health Board. These efforts have contributed to a positive cultural shift, empowering staff to openly address workplace challenges and recognize they are not alone.

Nicola Heard collecting the Team Liz Sizer Award on behalf of the Association of Anaesthetists

The team award acknowledged the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, a group of over 11,000 anaesthetists devoted to advancing safety in anaesthesia practice. Collected by Nicola Heard, the organisation's Director, this recognition highlights their outstanding commitment to enhancing patient care and safety in the field of anaesthesia.

The Pastest Team with their esteemed guests

Notably, Pastest's presence was enriched by the attendance of esteemed guests, such as;

Dr. Francesca Douglas: Cesca is a resident doctor based in West Yorkshire and the founder of UnidBooks, an innovative online marketplace empowering university students to buy and sell textbooks within their own peer networks. Motivated by her experiences as a medical student at the University of Leeds, Cesca recognised the financial and environmental strain caused by costly textbooks that often go unused after graduation. UnidBooks addresses these issues by facilitating the sustainable redistribution of textbooks, making academic resources both affordable and accessible across student communities.

As recipient of the Enterprise Scholarship from the University of Leeds, Cesca has also developed a passion for medical innovation. In addition to her work with UnidBooks, she serves as a Medical Advisor for HealthTech companies in the UK, where she combines her clinical expertise with her drive to advance technology-based solutions in healthcare.

Leah Brooks: Leah is a multi-award winning medical student at the University of Sheffield. She is the COO of Future Frontline a Natwest Top100 Social Enterprise working to inspire and support current and future healthcare students with free events, workshops and conferences as well as a Research Assistant in
Public Health.

In 2024 Leah was awarded the Rising Star award in Healthcare due to her advocacy work for widening participation and mental health. She also champions widening participation through her role as lead student advisor at uni taster days. She uses her social media platform @wellnessmedic to show her lived experience of mental illness and being diagnosed with autism in her twenties, as well as life as a medical student.

Dr. Jessica O'Logbon: Dr. Jessica O'Logbon is a medical doctor with a master’s in Psychiatry from Cambridge University, where she researched the relationship between parent and child mental health and how COVID affected families. She aims to inspire young people to reach their potential.

In 2016, she was unsuccessful in her applications to medical school so she decided to take a gap year and worked as an NHS healthcare assistant. She was the youngest employee to be awarded the “Make a Difference” Award. She successfully gained a place at medical school thereafter and has been a widening participation champion ever since.

Alongside her work, she runs a medical educational platform and associated social media entity, Progress with Jess, upskilling aspiring and current medical students on personal and professional development opportunities, whilst generating revenue from her 4 self-published eBooks. She has also published several research papers, won 2 national essay competitions, poster prizes and oral presentations at international conferences, and advocates for more diversity in clinical research and academic.

Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad: A medical graduate from Barts and the London, along with an intercalated degree in Prehospital Medicine. Winner of the Christina Swain Trauma Fellowship 2018/19, he gained invaluable
experience in emergency and trauma medicine in Phoenix, Arizona, and Johannesburg, South Africa. Fueled by his past struggles in entering medicine, he founded The Medic Life to offer affordable resources and support for aspiring doctors.

With a decade of teaching UCAT and BMAT to nearly 1000 students, he has crafted a course to enhance their scores without breaking the bank. Making dreams of becoming a doctor
achievable for everyone. When not working in A&E or helping students smash the UCAT, he loves to go on scenic drives or motorbike rides.

Lydia Martin: A final year medical student at Southampton University with a slightly different academic
journey! Lydia studied Biology and trained as a secondary school science teacher before eventually deciding to study medicine as a graduate. She is passionate about widening access to medicine, medical education and using social media as a tool to share knowledge and promote inclusivity to all those interested in studying medicine. She recently lost her dad unexpectedly and as a result has become committed to embracing open conversations around grief and loss.

Dr. Dev Gakhar: Dev is a doctor and content creator with a growing social media presence of 45K+ followers. He is known for breaking down NHS topics, offering a look into life as a resident doctor, and
guiding medical students and doctors in their careers. He is a member of the TikTok Clinician Creator Council, assisting in public health campaigns and combatting medical misinformation. Recently, Dev was invited to the
Labour Conference 2024, where he interviewed MPs on issues facing the NHS and AI in the NHS. Alongside his clinical work, Dev is pursuing a degree in Medical Education to further support his passion for teaching and mentoring.

Dr. Megan Pode: Dr. Megan Pode is an award-winning F2 doctor in Emergency Medicine and a dedicated advocate for widening participation in healthcare. She founded Medics&Me, a charity that empowers students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in medicine. Since 2020, Medics&Me has partnered
with over 30 non-selective state schools, helping thousands of students, with 54% of participants receiving medical school offers in 2022/23, well above the national average of 14%. The charity also fosters community and networking opportunities for medical students.

Alongside Medics&Me, Megan’s work as a doctor has earned her prestigious recognition, including Foundation Doctor of the Year 2024 and the Foundation Year 1 Portfolio of the Year. In her free time Megan enjoys travelling, finding new music and walking in the peaks near Manchester.

Dr. Aymara Suarez-Sotomayor: Aymara is a recently graduated resident doctor from the University of Nottingham, who is also a bilingual YouTuber with nearly 7,000 subscribers. With Latin American heritage, she creates content in both English and Spanish, using her platform to bridge cultural and language barriers in healthcare. Aymara is deeply involved in addressing health disparities faced by British Latinos, collaborating with the charity Empower Latam to produce valuable health content for a community that often lacks
representation and faces significant health inequalities in the UK.

With a strong passion for psychiatry and mental health, Aymara is dedicated to pursuing a career in this field, focusing on improving mental health access and outcomes for underrepresented communities.

Catherine Rodgers: Catherine Rodgers is a third-year medical student at the University of Liverpool. She decided to pursue medicine after her fourth year in pharmacy, following the unexpected loss of her father.
Her interest in medicine deepened during her pharmacy placement when she witnessed doctors managing a
patient with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and overheard a consultant discussing cerebral edema in strokes.

Catherine attended a non-selective state school. She is now dedicated to helping students from similar
backgrounds apply to medical school through the charity Medics&Me. At Medics&Me, Catherine has mentored aspiring medical students, collaborated with other organisations, and recently became Director of Mentor
Education, where she leads training sessions for mentors. Her involvement has boosted her confidence and leadership skills, especially while presenting patient histories during placements. Catherine is grateful for the opportunities the charity has provided, shaping her into a better medical student and future doctor.

Dr. Anitha Shiny Ashok Kumar and Dr. Nishant Gunadala

Dr Anitha Shiny Ashok Kumar: Our competition winner, Dr. Anitha Shiny Ashok Kumar is a dedicated medical professional who completed her MD in Tbilisi, Georgia. She successfully cleared the Ireland Medical Council (IMC) exam and is currently preparing for the Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (MRCPI) exam. With a solid foundation in international medical education and a strong passion for patient care, Dr. Anitha is committed to advancing her career in medicine and making significant contributions to the field.

Dr Nishant Gunadala:Dr. Nishant Gunadala, our competition winner, is a dedicated GPST3 trainee based in the Northwest region, currently focused on preparing for the MRCGP exams with the goal of achieving his
Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) by next August.

For the second consecutive year, Pastest proudly served as the headline sponsor of the event. It was a great pleasure that Head of Marketing, Jenn Gabriel, had the esteemed privilege of presenting both of the prestigious Liz Sizer awards. This continuous support underscores Pastest's unwavering dedication to honouring excellence in the medical community and championing the advancement of healthcare professionals. Attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose, pledging to champion mental health awareness in their respective fields.

For support, healthcare professionals can access YOD’s therapist-led peer support group, ‘The Huddle,’ or text YOD to 85258 for free, confidential, 24/7 mental health SMS support. YOD also provides evidence-based tools through their Podcast and webinars.

The Sizer Gala 2023

In a heartwarming collaboration that blended the worlds of mental health advocacy and medical education, You Okay, Doc? (YOD) and Pastest joined forces for the inaugural Liz Sizer gala. The night unfolded with grace and purpose, leaving attendees inspired and motivated to make a difference in the realm of mental health.

Hosted by the charismatic Manley Hopkinson, the esteemed patron of You Okay, Doc?, the event kicked off with an insightful overview of the cause. Hopkinson's words accurately captured the essence of You Okay, Doc?'s mission – to provide vital support, community, and understanding to healthcare professionals facing mental health challenges.

Dr Liz Sizer was a much-beloved mother, daughter, sister, cousin, friend, and work colleague. She was the cousin of Dr Daniel Gearon. Liz had been an anaesthetist at King's College London and died by suicide in 2016. Following Liz's death, Daniel founded the charity, You Okay, Doc? to provide doctors with a safe space to talk about their mental health.

"She was compassionate, focused, and strove for excellence. She was a champion of change and a brilliant teacher." - You Okay, Doc?

The gala featured powerful and inspirational speakers who shared their personal journeys, shedding light on the importance of mental health awareness within the medical community. Dr. Liz O'Riordan, a British retired breast surgeon renowned for her tireless work in breast cancer awareness, took the stage to openly discuss her own experiences. Her raw and authentic storytelling resonated with the audience, emphasising the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health discussions. Reminding us that 'just because someone seems really really happy, they might not be inside and they do need you to say, are you okay?'.

"Stand like a superhero! how does that feel, head up, shoulders back, nobody can touch you when you're standing like Batman or Ms. Marvel" - Dr. Liz O'Riordan

Dr Philip McGeown, better known on social media as Dr. Mental Health, delivered a moving testimonial about his struggles with mental health, work, and life. His candid sharing not only humanised the challenges faced by healthcare professionals but also highlighted the critical need for a robust support system. You Okay, Doc? emerged as a beacon of hope through Philip's struggles, as he recently shared on his social media that the charity provided 'community, connection, validation, peer support, activity, focus on helping others, purpose.'

"Find your community, connect, talk with peers, take part in activity that helps yourself & others, look for purpose that aligns with your uniqueness..." - Dr Mental Health

One of the highlights of the evening was a silent auction that proved to be an incredible success, raising an impressive £10,000. However, the impact was doubled as the event collaborated with Big Give, a non-profit charitable site that allows donors to discover and support charity projects, turning the initial sum into a staggering £20,000. This financial boost will play a crucial role in expanding You Okay, Doc?'s reach and enhancing the support services offered to those in need.

The gala also marked the presentation of the first Liz Sizer Award, recognising outstanding dedication to reshaping mental health. The deserving recipient, Emily Palmer, was celebrated for her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the mental health landscape.

As headline sponsor Pastest were honoured to deliver a speech. Gillon Campbell, the founder's son and Non-Executive Director spoke about the journey of Pastest, highlighting the core values and how it all started with the mission to help doctors, healthcare professionals and 'really make their lives a little bit easier'.

"Can we make a little bit of a difference, to make your lives easier, to have a little bit more time to go out, to see your partners, your families, socialise, do some sport, all the things that we know are good for us and our mental health." - Gillon Campbell

Watch Here

Notably, Pastest's presence was enriched by the attendance of esteemed guests, such as;

Dr Matt Lee: An internal medicine doctor (IMT1) at University College London Hospitals. Background in medical technologies including 3D printing and artificial intelligence: co-founder of M3dicube, a non-profit organisation that teaches medical professionals how to use 3D printing, also runs a YouTube channel creating medical education content with >500,000 views.

Dr Kiran Bains: The MRCPCH Programme Director for Pastest and a Paediatric Specialty Doctor, where she divides her time equally between medical education and clinical work. Advocate for self-care and well-being of women and mothers in medicine through closed social media.

Dr Daniel Olaiya: NHS Doctor in Anaesthesia and Critical Care specialty training with a specialist qualifications from The Royal Colleges in Aviation, Aerospace medicine and Pre Hospital medicine with a passion and wealth of experience in aeromedical transfer and retrieval, Digital and Global Health.

Jess O'Logbon: Final year medical student/soon to be junior doctor and content creator, shares opportunities for aspiring/current medical students to thrive in their careers over on TikTok, Instagram and her website. Also, an entrepreneur, selling 1000+ of her own ebooks about how to relocate as a doctor abroad, fund medical school with scholarships and bursaries and get involved in high-quality research.

Dr Bakhtar Ahmad: Medical graduate from Barts and the London, specializing in Prehospital Medicine. Founded THE MEDIC LIFE, offering affordable resources and support for aspiring doctors. With a decade of teaching UCAT and BMAT to nearly 1000 students, he has crafted a course to enhance their scores without breaking the bank.

Dr Sarah Birkhoelzer: A Cardiology Registrar with a subspecialty interest in cardiovascular imaging and heart failure. Advocate for diversity and inclusion and is a member of the British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) Women in Cardiology committee. Founded the Women in Cardiology mentorship programme to improve the personal and professional well-being of women in cardiology.

Dr Azmain Chowdhury: London-based doctor and medical educator with a strong online presence—300K+ Instagram followers, 80K+ TikTok followers, and 19K+ YouTube subscribers. Recognised speaker for YouTube, part of the YouTube Shorts Creator Community, and member of the YouTube Health program. Founder of Social Media Medics, uniting 100+ top UK health creators to promote evidence-based health information.