BTS Medal 2021

Sheila was appointed in 1998 and led the Society for 23 years until her retirement in early 2021. During her tenure, BTS grew in membership and number of activities, developed robust practices, governance and financial stability, but also became a more inclusive organisation, which is more representative of the diverse workforce found in the respiratory community.

Examples of her drive and commitment to the respiratory specialty are numerous and include work to support clinicians treating tobacco dependence, the development of the Respiratory Futures website, pioneering the voice of integrated care, championing allied health care professionals, and the creation of the BTS Global Lung Health Project

Sheila had the ability to recognise opportunities and ensure that BTS could respond and adapt to changes in the NHS, workforce, and broader health agenda, in pursuit of the Society’s key aim of improving lung health for all.

Talking of her contribution to the Society, Professor Jon Bennett, Chair of the BTS Board of Trustees said:

“Our structure allows all our members to have a voice in the Society and Sheila focussed us on supporting all those working in respiratory medicine to create a unified voice. Sheila’s legacy will be our continued questioning of why we do what we do, should we do it, and can we do it better.”

On receiving the BTS Medal, Sheila said:

"I am honoured and delighted to have been awarded the BTS Medal in 2021. I am sure that there are many more worthy recipients, which makes me even more proud to have been selected this year.

“Since I retired in March I know that the team at BTS headquarters have been doing a fantastic job, working alongside the senior officers, the Board and all of our Committees and Advisory groups to make sure that the Society continues to provide leadership, advice, guidance, education and a voice at the highest level.

“The Society's efforts are made on behalf of those who have respiratory conditions and the multi--stranded professional groups that make up the respiratory team. If I did play a part in providing a supportive structure, I did not do this alone and it was a pleasure and a privilege to work with our leaders, members, staff and associates to achieve the goal of better lung health for all.”

More on the BTS Medal
The BTS Medal is awarded annually to a distinguished person who has greatly contributed to respiratory medicine or science. This prestigious award aims to acknowledge the recipient's leadership in and contribution to clinical and/or scientific work which has resulted in benefit to patients and the inspiration of peers.