New Year's Honours for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
30 December 2013
A WORLD-leading consultant who is at the forefront of research and treatment into diseases of the nervous system has been named a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's New Year's Honours List.
Professor Pamela Shaw, Consultant Neurologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust and Professor of Neurology at the University of Sheffield, is one of only 16 figures across the country to be given a Damehood in recognition of her extraordinary contribution to the field.
This includes the establishment of the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neurosciences (SITraN), an £18million research facility bringing together 150 international clinicians and scientists to fight crippling diseases such as motor neurone disease.
Dame Professor Pamela Shaw, Consultant Neurologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust and Professor of Neurology at the University of Sheffield, said: "I am deeply honoured and touched to be the recipient of this award in the New Year's Honours, news of which came as a wonderful surprise. I am the privileged recipient – but many people have contributed to the services to neuroscience for which the award has been made.
"These include my husband and daughter who have always given me tremendous support, tolerating with good humour the long hours spent in my study; the wonderful clinical and scientific teams that I have worked with over the years at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Sheffield; the inspiring Patrons who got behind the concept of the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) and gave their time, energy and philanthropic support to help me make it happen; and the research funders who have supported our work.
"The honour and prestige associated with the DBE award shines a beacon on to the work being done in SITraN and the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield. Our vision is to harness the tremendous advances in neuroscience and translate these into benefits for people afflicted with motor neurone disease and related neurodegenerative conditions.
"I hope that I will be able to deploy this beacon of recognition to help with our work and that 2014 will bring a significant positive breakthrough to benefit patients and families facing these devastating conditions."
Professor Kate Gerrish, Professor of Nursing Research at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has been given a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in recognition of her unique contribution to nursing in the New Year’s Honours List.
Since 2000 Professor Gerrish has held pioneering joint posts between Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University, and has been at the forefront of developing national clinical academic training programmes helping nurses, midwives and allied health professionals gain skills and expertise in research.
Professor Gerrish's recent work in promoting the uptake of research findings into clinical practice has led to improvements in the care of patients most at risk of malnutrition and more support for stroke sufferers who have difficulty eating and swallowing. Professor Gerrish is recognised internationally for supporting and championing the benefits of nursing research in Sweden, Ireland, Canada and Australia.
Professor Kate Gerrish said: "This is a huge privilege, and a very humbling one, too. I'm thrilled to have received such an honour in recognition of the vital role nursing education and research have in professional practice. I would particularly like to thank Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Sheffield, who have been incredibly supportive of my role."
Professor Wendy Tindale, Scientific Director at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Clinical Director of the National Institute for Health Research Devices for Dignity Healthcare Technology Co-operative and Professor Moira Whyte, Professor and Honorary Consultant in Respiratory Medicine were also given Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBEs).
Professor Hilary Chapman, Chief Nurse for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "This is wonderful news, and I would like to congratulate Dame Professor Pamela Shaw, Professor Kate Gerrish, Professor Wendy Tindale and Professor Moira Whyte on their richly deserved awards. These are fantastic examples of commitment, dedication, and loyalty and highlight the enormous contribution our staff have made to the treatment and care of patients. We are lucky to have such extraordinary individuals in Sheffield."
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT:
Claudia Blake, Research and Innovation Communications Officer
Tel: 0114 226 5033
Email: claudia.blake@sth.nhs.uk
