Huge success as MFT picks up multiple wins at the NIHR Greater Manchester Clinical Research Awards
Congratulations are in order for many of our Research and Innovation team members, with five wins for MFT at the 2019 NIHR Greater Manchester Clinical Research Awards last night.
The awards, now in their seventh year, are hosted by the NIHR Greater Manchester Clinical Research Network (GMCRN).
This year saw more than 200 nominations from across 14 Greater Manchester trusts, primary care, academia and other local partners. For the first time in the history of the awards, nominations were received from trial participants due to the high standard of care they received while taking part in research.
The ceremony, held at the Edwardian Manchester Hotel, recognised the hard work and enthusiastic engagement of research teams across GM and commended the essential role they play in delivering research which improves both patients’ health and NHS services.
Our recently retired Divisional Director for Research and Innovation (R&I) at MFT, Kathy Evans, won the ‘Outstanding Leadership’ award, while the Paediatric Oncology Research Team, based at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (RMCH), won the ‘Team Excellence’ award.
In another accolade for RMCH, Emma Harrison, Research Health Play Specialist at the NIHR Clinical Research Facility (CRF), which is based at the hospital, won the ‘Outstanding Contribution’ award.
Kathy Evans Emma Harrison and with their awards
Catherine Chmiel, who recently took up post as our Clinical Research Nurse Manager and Midwife, won ‘Research Midwife of the Year’. As part of her new role, Catherine now manages the Paediatric Oncology and Haematology Team, which won the ‘Team Excellence Award for Research Patient Experience’.
And Dr Eloise Cook, Senior Clinical Trials Coordinator at Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI), won ‘Research Administrator/Coordinator of the Year’.
Dr Iain McLean, Acting Managing Director for R&I at MFT, said: “What a fantastic night for all researchers and teams from across MFT who won, and were nominated for, the 2019 GM CRN Awards.
The awards really showcased the fantastic talent and determination our staff have in accelerating clinical research into clinical practice for the benefit of our patients.
Dr Iain McLean
“I’d like to congratulate Kathy, Catherine, Emma, Eloise, the Paediatric Oncology and Haematology Team and all nominees from across MFT – as well as the wider GM research and innovation landscape – people from organisations we work with very closely to embed a ‘One Manchester’ approach to research delivery.
I’d particularly like to thank our colleagues at NIHR GM CRN for yet again putting on a fantastic event and showcasing the breadth of research and innovation talent we have here in Greater Manchester.
More from our winners
Catherine Chmiel said: “I am delighted to receive the Research Midwife of the Year Award. I am truly passionate about the delivery of research for the women and families of Greater Manchester so to be recognised for this is something that I will always treasure.
Catherine Chmiel (second left) with the MFT Midwifery Research Team, which was nominated
“As Clinical Research Nurse Manager for the Paediatric Oncology and Haematology team I am delighted that they have received this award as their teamwork is exemplary and shines through daily as they work tirelessly to deliver research in their area.”
Emma Harrison said: “I am absolutely shocked and delighted to receive this award, especially with such amazing nominees in this category. It’s great to see play and distraction therapy recognised in clinical research.
I love my job and it’s such a privilege working with the fantastic patients and team at the NIHR Manchester Clinical Research Facility.”
Dr Eloise Cook said: “I am extremely honoured to have won Research Administrator/Coordinator of the Year and still can’t quite believe it!
Dr Eloise Cook
“I enjoyed hearing about all the nominees and the work that they do, which gives credit to the research that’s going on across Greater Manchester and the teams that deliver it.
“I love doing what I do and I am privileged to work with such a great team, both within Emergency Medicine and the wider R&I team at MFT.”
