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A leading academic at ̨ÍåÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Leicester (DMU) has been given a national award for her outstanding contribution to children and young people.

Professor Bertha Ochieng, Professor of Integrated Health and Social Care, was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Association of British Paediatric Nurses – one of only eight people to receive the accolade.


It was announced today on International Nurses Day.

Professor Ochieng said: “I was surprised but very honoured to receive this award. My work and research have always been focused on addressing health and social care needs in a holistic way, working with community groups and practitioners to improve health and wellbeing.

“I am proud to be among those to receive this fellowship.”

The Fellowship was awarded by the Association for her services to child health, especially in the field of community empowerment and engagement of socially disadvantaged populations.

Professor Ochieng’s recent work has included looking at how AI could help reduce levels of obesity in Leicester’s diverse communities, improving support for breastfeeding mothers, using a life story approach to build friendships between younger and older people to alleviate loneliness and social isolation. She also leads a ground-breaking 25-year longitudinal study that explores the impact of participation in creative activities from childhood.

Caron Eyre, ABPN Chair, said: “This year’s ABPN Fellows are each of an extremely high calibre and have made inspirational improvements to the care of babies, children and young people.”

Professor Bernie Carter, President of the ABPN, said “The appointment of our Honorary Fellows acknowledges the amazing and diverse work undertaken by children’s nurses in practice, education, academia, research and leadership. We are immensely proud of their achievements and welcome them as special members of our ABPN family”.
 
International Nurses Day is a global celebration that acknowledges and celebrates nurses around the world. It is celebrated on May 12 every year, which is also the anniversary of the birth of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale.

The ABPN is a UK-based network of children’s nurses with a wide membership of experts in clinical practice, education, leadership and research.  

In 2018, Professor Ochieng received the Mary Seacole Leadership Award and Scholar for her work to help tackle the higher numbers of underweight and overweight children in black and minority ethnic communities.