Congratulations to Prof. Channa Jayasena and Dr. Antonia Brooke, winners of the 2026 Outstanding Clinical Practitioner Award. We have caught up with both doctors to learn more about their influential work and the impact the Society has had on their professional journeys.
Antonia trained in Cambridge and The Royal London and St Bartholomew’s Hospital. Since 2010 she has been honorary senior lecturer at Exeter University and Royal Devon University Hospital. Her roles have included Chair of the Peer Review for the Society for Endocrinology, Society for Endocrinology Council and Trustee of the Pituitary Foundation. She has been Specialist Advisory Committee Chair and Regional Advisor for the Royal College of Physicians.
Channa is Professor of Reproductive Endocrinology & Andrology at Imperial College London. He is also a Consultant in Reproductive Endocrinology & Andrology at Hammersmith & St. Mary’s Hospitals London.
- What do you enjoy most about your work?
Antonia: I feel passionately about working in partnership with patients to problem solve, individualise care and deliver a service I’m proud of. I think a high standard is still possible, even with a creaking NHS, particularly when you are lucky enough to have a team around you who also strive for excellence; our specialist nurse colleagues act as the glue, but the collaboration and friendship across the whole MDT and mutual support makes me genuinely enjoy going to work.
Channa: It is rewarding to help patients with common endocrine problems that are tricky to treat e.g. men with hypogonadism unable to tolerate gel (eczema) with needle phobia!
- What are your biggest and/or most recent achievements?
Antonia: To share and benchmark good practice, I have tried to enhance networks both regionally and nationally. I have led improvements through leadership roles with the Royal College of Physicians, as Outpatient transformation lead for the Integrated Care Board and leading the Peer Review Programme through the Society for Endocrinology. As Chair of the Specialist Advisory Committee for the Royal College of Physicians, I tried to ensure Endocrinology remains an attractive option with competitive recruitment, fighting for equity with other specialties around general medical contribution. And as a trustee of the pituitary foundation, I advocate for the pituitary community to be a loud voice in delivering change.
Channa: I led the NIHR Testosterone Efficacy & Safety (TestES) team; we managed to persuade many rival investigators to donate their individual participant data (IPD) trial data from over 3000 men. This global effort enabled us to produce the first credible evidence that testosterone may not increase cardiovascular events, which was contrary to the USA FDA health advisory.
- What words of wisdom do you have for aspiring endocrinologists?
Antonia: The patient should always be central and good care will follow: individualising care by understanding their needs and adapting guidance and pathways to match, with compassion and without judgement. Identifying problems is easy, but finding solutions to the problems is the real challenge and patient support groups can really help if you ask. My best advice to myself however is to never give up, finding solutions when the door feels shut and advocating for what is really important.
Channa: I would not count myself as wise! But, a great friend told me that progress is made by Trust, Friendship and Persuasion – I agree.
- Why did you get involved with the Society, and why should other professionals working in endocrinology do the same?
Antonia: The first committee involvement I had with SfE was via the clinical committee, with Wiebke Arlt chairing. I was taken under Paul Carroll’s wing, who gave me good advice – put your hand up early, otherwise you will be left doing what no-one else wants to do. That experience, networking and watching committed endocrinologists achieving so much really drives you forward, with brilliant support from the SfE team.
Perhaps the thing I have contributed to most within the Society is peer review, particularly establishing the neworked peer reviews. This has put centres together of similar size and experience to learn from each other. I would thoroughly recommend this non-confrontational support of services to referesh services. Collaborating with great leaders such as John Wass and Neil Gittoes within the Society to consider meaningful change in the quality of services has been a joy.
Channa: As a registrar, I was greatly inspired listening to colleagues around the UK who had made advances in treating people or scientific discoveries. As a consultant, SfE has given me a way to meet new colleagues and friends, who I love seeing at events.
- Have you been to SfE BES before? If so, can you tell us about your experience of the event?
Antonia: A few times. My first SfE BES and my first abstract was a rectal carcinoid with ectopic ACTH under Prof. Besser many years ago. People talk about the networking opportunities at BES. At the beginning, this was with my fellow registrars and consultants, mainly late in the bar, but as my experience, job roles and confidence has grown, this has become seeing old friends, catching opportunities with new colleagues, benchmarking services, discussing complex clinical dilemmas and ensuring that I maintain connections with patient partners through the charitable foundations.
Channa: I remember fondly going to the SfE BES during my PhD with Prof. Waljit Dhillo. He was a brilliant mentor who trusted me to speak to lots reporters about our abstract – a terrifying but great experience.
Each medallist and award winner brings a unique story of passion and dedication to the field. We are excited to be highlighting their efforts and look forward to showcasing more winners with you throughout the year. Their achievements will be formally recognised at our flagship event, the annual SfE BES Conference, where they will be presented with their awards in front of peers and leaders from across the endocrine community.
Book your space for SfE BES 2026, for the UK’s biggest celebration of endocrinology. The event brings together the brightest minds, the latest discoveries, and the most inspiring conversations in the field. Join us in Harrogate, from 2-4 March 2026, to celebrate the Society medallists and award winners successes, and connect and learn with our inspiring community.
