Celebrating the BTS 2024 Medal Winners

27 November 2024

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.

Left: Professor Anita Simonds | Right: Professor Stuart Elborn CBE

Professor Anita Simonds

Professor Anita Simonds is a Consultant in Respiratory Medicine at Royal Brompton Hospital and Professor of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at NHLI, specialising in sleep-disordered breathing and respiratory failure in adults and children. Her research has advanced understanding of non-invasive ventilation (NIV), demonstrating its role in extending survival in conditions like Duchenne muscular dystrophy and improving standards of care through clinical trials. She is leading studies on adaptive servo-ventilation in heart failure, telemonitoring in respiratory and cardiac patients, and the cognitive impact of obstructive sleep apnoea.

Recognised internationally, Professor Simonds has received the Margaret Pfrommer Medal from the American College of Chest Physicians for her contributions to long-term mechanical ventilation.

Professor Stuart Elborn CBE

Professor Stuart Elborn CBE is a leading figure in respiratory medicine and healthcare innovation. Until July 2024, he served as Interim Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Queen’s University Belfast, overseeing academic performance, governance, and initiatives in equality, sustainability, and the Belfast Region City Deal Programme. A Visiting Professor at Imperial College London, his research focuses on cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis, advancing diagnostics, therapies, and digital healthcare solutions.

Professor Elborn was awarded a CBE in 2013, which recognised his services to healthcare.