Trust staff recognised in New Year Honours list

Three members of staff from Guy’s and St Thomas’ have been recognised in the New Year Honours List.

Among those to receive the British Empire Medal (BEM) are midwife Mary Sheridan, junior doctor Dr Azeem Alam, and associate chief pharmacist Paul Tunstell.

Mary Sheridan, from Nuneaton in Warwickshire, was recognised for services to midwifery. She has been a midwife at Guy’s and St Thomas’ for 32 years and a lecturer at King’s College London for 19 years.

Since 2011, Mary has been the lead midwife for the Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) programme at St Thomas’ Hospital, which screens babies within 72 hours of birth for conditions relating to their heart, hips, eyes and testes. She worked with Public Health England to introduce the NIPE Smart System, which was piloted at St Thomas’ Hospital and then rolled out nationally.

Mary worked during the festive period, examining 44 babies over six days as part of the NIPE programme at St Thomas’ Hospital.

Mary said: “I was so surprised to receive an email saying I’d been nominated for a medal. It’s great that midwifery has been recognised as a profession in the New Year Honours list.”

Dr Azeem Alam, from Harpenden in Hertfordshire, received the BEM for services to medical education during COVID-19.

The 28-year-old founded BiteMedicine, which has provided free medical education for medical students, physician associates and aspiring doctors during the pandemic, teaching more than 10,000 students worldwide via online, live webinars.

Dr Alam, who has worked in the emergency department during the pandemic, said: “After receiving the initial email that I had been recommended by the Prime Minister for the honour of a British Empire Medal, I was in complete disbelief, and still am. I told my family as soon as I was able to and they were equally shocked.

“I am earnestly grateful for the recognition that my work within medical education during COVID-19 has received, and I hope that BiteMedicine continues to grow beyond the pandemic. With the ongoing development of the BiteMedicine Foundation, I aspire for the platform to raise awareness of chronic medical conditions, as well as money to contribute to the care of patients with these conditions.

"I hope that this accolade, which I am so fortunate to receive, can inspire others to try and become the change that they aspire to see within their chosen field.”

Paul Tunstell, from Herne Hill in south London, was recognised for services to the NHS during COVID-19.

Paul led the pharmacy technical services during the pandemic where a large number of special medicines were manufactured to meet the changing demands COVID-19 brought to both Guy’s and St Thomas’ and the wider NHS. As well as the manufacturing service, the whole pharmacy team played a vital role in ensuring sufficient medicines were always available and that they were prescribed and administered safely.

Paul, who has worked at the Trust for 31 years, said: “I am delighted to receive this honour in recognition of the role the whole pharmacy department has played in response to COVID 19.

“It's been a privilege to work with such a dedicated and talented team who have adapted to meet the changing needs of patients whilst supporting and caring for each other. It's been an immensely challenging year and the way the Trust has pulled together and responded has been truly inspiring."