Queen recognises UCLH staff in birthday honours 2021

UCLH clinicians and researchers have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2021.

Consultant haematologist Professor Marie Scully has been awarded an MBE for services to blood disorders.

Earlier this year, Prof Scully led a team that outlined the mechanism behind rare cases of blood clots and low platelets after COVID-19 vaccination.

Prof Scully said: "This is an amazing accolade and a wonderful surprise, particularly as the nomination was from our patients who have been the most important part of the journey in improving outcomes in a rare disease, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)."

Honorary consultant urologist Professor Mark Emberton has been awarded an OBE for services to prostate cancer research. He is a founding pioneer of Prostate Cancer UK.

Prof Emberton said: “Most of all I would like to thank the many thousands of patients that have placed their trust in us and have chosen to participate in our many clinical studies, knowing that by doing so they would help to improve the outcomes for the men that would follow.”

UCL engineer Professor Rebecca Shipley received an OBE for work she did alongside UCLH clinicians to develop a continuous positive airway pressure device (CPAP) at the height of the pandemic which is now used across the NHS.

Professor Shipley said: “It is a privilege to be part of the UCL-Ventura team contributing to the global COVID-19 pandemic response. We initially focused our efforts on supplying devices to the NHS, with over 130 hospitals supported."

And UCL’s Dr Laura Shallcross, who is supported by the NIHR UCLH Biomedical Research Centre, was awarded an MBE for services to adult social care during the pandemic. She led vital national work to understand the burden and impact of COVID-19 in care homes.

Dr Shallcross said: “It is really wonderful to be recognised in this way, and a testament to the incredible hard work and commitment of the Vivaldi (COVID-19 in care homes) research team over the past 12 months. This award will spur us on in our efforts to build a positive legacy from the pandemic for care home staff and residents through research.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “The Queen’s Birthday Honours allow us to pay tribute to all those who have gone above and beyond in their service to this country.

“Throughout the pandemic we have seen countless examples of every day heroes. From those using their expertise to help develop life-saving vaccines, which are now being rolled out successfully to all parts of the UK, to the people who have given time and energy to care for their communities.

“We should take heart from the stories of those receiving honours today and be inspired by their courage and kindness. May they be a reminder of all that we can achieve when we come together as a society.”