Congratulations to our colleagues Professor Helena Marzo-Ortega, Dr Jane Freeston and Dr Christian Sellinger who have all been recognised at the National Axial Sponyloarthritis Society (NASS) Change Maker Awards for their outstanding contributions to improving the care of patients living with the condition.
Professor Marzo-Ortega, co-lead on WS2 for our Musculoskeletal Disease theme was awarded gold. A world leader in Axial Spondyloarthritis (axial SpA), she’s been instrumental in addressing diagnostic delays, advancing sex-specific research, and establishing national and international training platforms, including the Leeds Sponyloarthritis Academy and ASAS Core Course.
Dr Freeston, who also works on WS2 for Musculoskeletal Disease received silver for her pivotal role in developing the NASS diagnostic delay audit. She has also led initiatives to streamline the referral pathway and launched a regional MDT and electronic system to monitor disease activity and support earlier diagnosis.
Congratulations also to Dr Selinger who won bronze, having raised awareness of axial SpA among his peers. Dr Selinger has previously worked with our NIHR Leeds Bioresource.
These awards form part of the Act on Axial SpA, looking at reducing delays in diagnosis of the condition. As part of the campaign, the Changemaker Awards recognise healthcare professionals who are going above and beyond to make this happen.
Congratulations again!