Health professors recognised with New Year Honours

Two leading health academics from Glasgow Caledonian University have been recognised in the King’s first New Year Honours list.

Professor Sharon Hutchinson has been made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE), while Professor Lesley Price has been made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).

Over the past 25 years, Professor Hutchinson has conducted epidemiological research to inform the design and impact of public health interventions. Working between GCU and Public Health Scotland (PHS), she leads a research programme on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hepatitis C and other blood borne viruses, with a particular focus on the most marginalised and disadvantaged in society.

Her research provided the key evidence to guide a public health response to hepatitis C in Scotland, and has since demonstrated the clinical benefit and population-level impact of a nationally coordinated approach. She has supported numerous UK and Scottish advisory groups – leading on those steering monitoring and research efforts – in support of ambitions to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health concern and end HIV transmission. She has supported the development of international guidance and strategies as expert advisor to the World Health Organization (WHO) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

As Commissioner for The Lancet, Professor Hutchinson helped develop a blueprint for tackling liver disease in Europe. With civil society and community groups, Professor Hutchinson has co-convened key international events, notably WHO’s inaugural World Hepatitis Summit in 2015 and the International Conference on Health and Hepatitis Care in Substance Users in 2022. During the pandemic, Professor Hutchinson dedicated her time to support PHS in establishing surveillance initiatives and undertaking epidemiological research on COVID-19 to aid the public health response.

Speaking about her CBE, Professor Hutchinson, also Public Health Scotland (PHS) Consultant Scientist, said: “I am very surprised and humbled but also delighted to receive this honour.

“It’s really great to be recognised for all the research I’ve done over the years at the University in collaboration with PHS (formerly Health Protection Scotland) and other partners across the NHS and third sector organisations. I have been incredibly fortunate to have learnt from and worked alongside the most talented public health professionals, from early on in my first appointments attached to the MRC Bio-statistical Initiative on HIV and AIDS in Scotland and the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health. It has been an absolute privilege to have worked at the interface between academia and public health, supporting efforts that has placed Scotland on the world stage for its innovation and achievements in the prevention of HIV, hepatitis C and associated diseases.

“This honour isn’t just about me, it’s as much a tribute to the hard work and dedication of the committed team of people working on blood borne viruses and sexually transmitted infections across GCU and PHS. I hope they can all take some pride in this award.”

Professor Hutchinson is leading a new GCU £2.5m 10-year Beyond BBV research programme with Professor Claudia Estcourt to support the Scottish Government's ambitious plans to become the first country in the world to end HIV transmission and eliminate Hepatitis C as a major public health concern.

Both Professors and the SHBBV research team won the Emerald Publishing International Real Impact Award in April last year for demonstrating impactful results in BBV prevention among some of the most disadvantaged people in society through true collaborative working.

Professor in Nursing Lesley Price also spoke of her pride at being awarded an MBE for services to public health, particularly during COVID-19.

She is leading the Scottish arm of the UK-wide SIREN study analysing COVID-19 immunity among hospital-based healthcare workers. She is also co-lead of GCU's Safeguarding Health through Infection Prevention (SHIP) Research Group in the Research Centre for Health (ReaCH).

Professor Price said: “I was very surprised but also delighted to receive this honour, not for me, but on behalf of the 6,000 plus Scottish healthcare workers who have taken part in this study despite the ongoing challenges faced by the NHS.

“It’s also in recognition of the many other people who have contributed to the SIREN study and made it so successful in Scotland, such as the health board research, occupational health, IT and laboratory teams, as well as the teams at GCU and Public Health Scotland, and the fantastic steering committee of experts and members of the government who give up their time to support us.”

After more than 25 years of service at GCU and 46 years in nursing, Professor Price will be retiring in August 2023 after completing the SIREN study.

In addition, honorary graduate Professor Jacqueline Taylor received an MBE for services to medical education and to health. Past President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Jackie has also been a consultant at Glasgow Royal Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine.

GCU graduates Elaine Jean Boyd (OBE) and Francis Roy (CBE) were also recognised. Elaine is Director of Audit Quality and Appointments for Audit Scotland. Francis received his award for political and public service.