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Celebrating at the Advancing Healthcare Awards!

02 Jun 25

We are delighted to share that 2 colleagues from HPFT’s Occupational Therapy team were recognised at this year’s Advancing Healthcare Awards ceremony.

Group photo of 5 women on an awards stage celebrating winning at the Advancing Healthcare Awards

Michela Clarke, Senior Occupational Therapist, won the Rising Star award for her positive and innovative attitude to care, and her persistent passion and enthusiasm for supporting people with mental health conditions. 

Michela holding her winners certificate and smiling at the camera. She is wearing a peach dress.

Her award was presented by Steve Jamieson, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Michela shares:

"I am very grateful to receive this award for my hard work on an animal therapy project.

“I would like to thank Emily Boyce and Caroline Finch, my supervisor and coach for their mentorship and unfaltering encouragement in this project and beyond. Their pragmatic and empathetic approach supported me in this achievement and in many more projects." 

We are also delighted that Anna Szurlej, Occupational Therapy Recreational Worker, was a finalist for outstanding achievement by an apprentice, support worker or non-registered technician in an AHP or healthcare science service.

She was recognised for her empathetic and purposeful approach to her work, and the incredible difference she makes to the quality of life of service users.

Congratulations to Michela and Anna!

Anna and Michela smiling at the camera with an arm around each other

The Advancing Healthcare Awards recognise the work of allied health professionals, healthcare scientists and those who work alongside them in support roles. Its purpose is to celebrate and promote innovative practice that colleagues do to improve care.

The awards were sponsored by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and other professional bodies, and featured speakers such as Professor Dame Sue Hill DBE, NHS England Chief Scientific Officer and Professor Suzanne Rastrick OBE, NHS England Chief Allied Health Professions Officer.

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