Bucks medical research team set to find out whether they have been crowned award winners
"We're looking forward to celebrating together our achievements".
Today is the day (30 September) people from Buckinghamshire who have helped with research into COVID-19 will find out whether they have been awarded for their work.
A nurse, doctor, research team leader and patient are all up for awards for their work over the past few months looking into coronavirus treatments and other conditions.
They have been shortlisted in this year’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network Thames Valley and South Midlands (LCRN) staff awards.
The winners will be announced via a private live stream because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Nominees shortlisted for an award are:
Dr Raha West – Outstanding Principal Investigator
Raha was nominated for her phenomenal achievements and leadership skills on the COVID-19 studies, especially with respect to the RECOVERY trial. During April and May the Trust was listed seventh out of 176 trusts running the RECOVERY trial.
Katarina Manso – Research Nurse of the Year
Katarina was nominated for her ability to support across multiple studies and specialties with such enthusiasm. Since joining the team Katarina has enabled the team to carry out a wider range of research in areas such as neurology, rheumatology, injuries and emergencies, plastics and burns and respiratory specialties at the Trust.
She said:
"I'm very thrilled to be nominated and it came to me as a surprise.
"It means a lot to me to be recognised by my colleagues for the work I do.
"The team have been very supportive and all do an amazing job.
"We're looking forward to celebrating together our achievements as we work closely and I couldn't do it without them."
Nicola Bowers – Outstanding Research Team Leader
Nicola was nominated for her outstanding leadership. No job is too big or too small and she is always seeking solutions to drive studies forward. During 2019/20 Nicola has been an ambassador for research with the British Association for Nursing in Cardiac Care, for which she is an ordinary council member, and has been working towards a publication advocating research in cardiology.
Christa Dyson – Outstanding Research Champion (patient)
Christa was nominated for her involvement in promoting research and understanding, especially for those affected by spinal injuries, over the course of many years. She is a Trustee of the Spinal Injuries Association and is actively involved in the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville. Christa is a constant campaigner for research and support into spinal injuries through social media platforms and is a patient representative at her local GP surgery.
Thanks to the efforts of its research team the Trust is in the top ten per cent nationally of all trusts that recruit participants for research studies.