GOSH staff honoured at national awards ceremony

Two Great Ormond Street Hospital Doctors have been recognised at The Sun’s Who Cares Wins Health Awards.

Dr Vesna Pavasovic (pictured above), Consultant in Malignant Paediatric Haematology and Late Effects Lead, and Dr Helen Spencer, Consultant in Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Lead for Lung Transplant, both got through to the final three in their categories at this national ceremony to reward NHS staff who go above and beyond the call of duty.

Dr Pavasovic was shortlisted in the Best Neonatal Specialist category for her hard work supporting patient Ralph, who was born with rare immune disorder perforin deficiency primary HLH.

Thanks to the care given by Dr Pavasovic and her team, Ralph was able to undergo a life-changing bone marrow transplant.

Dr Pavasovic said: “I was very honoured and humbled to be nominated for this award. It reflects the very hard work of the entire team at GOSH who made Ralph’s journey safe and successful.

“For me, it’s also recognition and confirmation of our extraordinary partnership with Ralph’s parents during the process.”

Dr Spencer (pictured below) was shortlisted in the Groundbreaking Pioneer category after leading a team who were the first in the world to use new phage therapy to treat a multi drug resistant bacteria affecting patient Isabelle. You can read more about Dr Spencer’s work with phage therapy here.

Dr Spencer said: “I was pretty shocked and deeply honoured to be nominated for this award. I’m an individual in a big, collaborative group of people.

“This work was also a collaboration with the family and we wouldn’t have gone down this route if not for Isabelle’s mum. It was a group effort and I’m delighted Isabelle is doing well.”

Both Dr Pavasovic and Dr Spencer were nominated for the prize by the families of their patients.