Posted on February 18th 2019
PRESS RELEASE: A clinical advisor to a Sheffield-based rare disease charity has received a lifetime achievement award for his work.
Professor Paul Corris, who works closely with the Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK (PHA UK), based in Chapeltown, was recognised by the International Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute at an awards ceremony in Barcelona.
Pulmonary hypertension is a life-limiting heart and lung disease which affects just 7,000 people in the UK.
Paul, 63, was heavily involved in securing a national pulmonary hypertension service which was established in 2001. It is made up of eight specialist centres across the UK, including the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield. His research has also led to higher success rates for lung transplants across the world. He recently retired from his clinical role as Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.
The lifetime achievement award is the second Paul has won in recent months. He also picked up the British Thoracic Society medal in December, awarded annually to individuals who have greatly contributed to respiratory medicine in Britain.
“I am thrilled and honoured to receive this award,” Paul said. “To be recognised for a lifetime’s work in developing improving clinical care for patients and the quality of one’s research by your international peers is very special. I also recognise and acknowledge the fantastic support given to me by my colleagues in the pulmonary hypertension clinical service.
“Thank you also to my wife and family who have supported me throughout my career despite the many days I left the house very early and arrived home very late.”
Paul is also co-chair of PHocus2021, an advocacy group set up by PHA UK which campaigns for changes to public policy.
Iain Armstrong, chair of PHA UK, said: “It is fantastic to see Paul recognised with these two awards. His tireless work which led to the establishment of the pulmonary hypertension specialist centres is an inspiration and he has made a huge difference to so many people’s lives across his career. He has always kept the patient’s needs at the centre of his care.
“He has been an exceptional colleague and friend over the last 20 years and fully deserves these awards as he begins his well-earned retirement from clinical practice.”
