October 2022
With the aim to recognise and celebrate individual alumni members who have made remarkable contributions to the Medical School, the Careers and Alumni Office introduced this year the ‘Annual Alumni Award.’
The 2022 Alumni recipients were chosen for their systematic student-centred approach and support, innovative thinking, willingness to help, and the hours invested. The first five recipients of the award made exceptional contributions in the areas of (a) Presentations and Specialty Guidance, (b) One-to-One Mentoring, (c) Mock Interview Preparation and Support, and (d) Becoming an Ambassador during Admissions events.
Dr Jane Khalife – MBBS 2016
Dr Khalife completed a vascular neurology fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital and a neurology residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Jane is currently in her second year as a neurointerventional surgery fellow at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey, USA. She will graduate from her specialty training in June 2023 and will begin practising as a neurointerventional surgeon.
Since her graduation in 2016, Jane has systematically supported students in various ways, initially with Q&A sessions via Skype, and later on with online presentations and mentoring.
Dr Georges Rizkallah – MBBS 2017
Dr Rizkallah is currently working in London at the Croydon University Hospital in an innovation and research fellow post and as a general surgery specialty registrar. He will soon be going to training in Wessex and will start as General Surgery Specialty Registrar ST3 at Queen Alexandra, Portsmouth.
Georges has proven a worthy MBBS alumnus in being proactive with presentations to support our first cohort of MD students (2020) in applying for F2 and visa in UK. He guided students with a plenary session and with individual online chats. Georges also submitted a proposal for a Surgery Bootcamp but this initiative was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Eleni Hadjicosta –MBBS 2018
Dr Hadjicosta completed her Foundation years in the North Central and East London Deanery, at Royal London Hospital (F1) and Queens and King George’s Hospitals (F2.) Eleni is currently a General Practitioner Registrar in her final year of training at Kent Surrey Sussex Deanery, in Surrey, following work at St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey for her ST1-2 years.
Eleni has systematically participated in Alumni activities since her graduation in 2018. She presented many Q&A sessions on the ‘Transition from Medical School to Foundation Training in the UK’ and supported students with additional presentations. This year, within the online workshop titled ‘Becoming an F1,’ Eleni delivered the presentation ‘Prescribing for Junior Doctors.’
Dr Antingoni Papaioannou – MD 2020
Dr Papaioannou is currently in her second year of internal medicine training (IMT) at Homerton Hospital London, UK. Leveraging the knowledge and skills she had developed while studying, Antigoni was able to join the training programme of her preference and to compete among other UK and international candidates.
Antigoni is the first MD alumna to volunteer in assisting the preparation of students for the UK Foundation Year 2 interview process with a series of sessions (12), including insights of what to expect at an F2 Standalone interview.
Dr Pik Kwan (Rachel) Lau– MBBS 2021
Dr Lau is currently working at the East Surrey Hospital, UK as a Foundation Year 2 Doctor in Emergency Medicine.
Rachel was the main contributor for the ‘Series of Ophthalmology Teaching Sessions,’ including sessions on Systemic Eye Disease. She also organised a second series of sessions titled ‘Life as an F1,’ including topics such as ‘Surviving F1’ and ‘Common F1 Jobs.’
Careers & Alumni Manager, Ms Sue Chrysostomou, said ‘We are so excited to have introduced this year the Annual Alumni Award to recognise the great efforts of our alumni in supporting our students and for providing their personal expertise for student success. Deciding on the list of nominees and the final recipients of the award was a difficult task to perform, taking into consideration the vast number of graduates participating in ongoing student support. In fact, over 40% of our graduates have been involved so far in the programme, a remarkable record number! Considering, how busy doctors are in day-to-day work and training roles, this generous support provided to our students is a testament to the level of excellence our School provides.’