Sheffield Professor wins national nutrition award
4 October 2013
A leading Sheffield consultant has been recognised as the Inaugural Coeliac Professional of the Year at the national Complete Nutrition Awards.
Professor David Sanders, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Honorary Professor in Gastroenterology at the University of Sheffield, was given the accolade for his endless work to raise awareness of coeliac disease.
The professor has undertaken extensive research into coeliac disease - a disorder of the small intestine where a person has an adverse reaction to gluten – which has included the publication of over 100 papers on the subject.
The Complete Nutrition Awards which have been held annually since 2010 recognise the achievements and work of individuals and groups who have made a significant difference in the nutrition industry and this year was the first for there to be a dedicated award for Coeliac Disease.
His nomination noted his inclusive approach and the level of support he gives to colleagues as well as his patient engagement. It also highlighted the Professor’s work on a local, national and international scale in helping raise standards for early diagnosis and the recognition of patients with undetected coeliac disease. To ensure this could be achieved he led on the development of a series of guidelines and has influenced previous NICE publications on diagnosing the disease.
Professor Sanders holds a coeliac clinic at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield. The specialist clinic is the largest of its type in the country with over 1000 patients attending.
Commenting on winning the award, Professor Sanders said:
“I felt very honoured and lucky particularly as this is the first time the award has been made and knowing that it is based on patients taking the time to vote.”
This is not the first time Professor Sanders has been recognised for his work, he won the Nutrition Society’s Cuthbertson Award in 2011 and was named European Rising Star in Gastroenterology in 2010.
Mike Davidson, 65 from Dronfield is a patient at the clinic and the Sheffield Group organiser of Coeliac UK who has met Professor Sanders on many occasions. He said:
“This is an award that Professor Sanders truly deserves, he always gives 100% to each and every patient and will always listen and give advice to ensure he is giving the best service possible.”
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