UHNM Chief Healthcare Scientist receives Honorary Doctor of Science degree

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust’s (UHNM) Chief Healthcare Scientist has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Staffordshire. 
 
Dr Katie Berger Hon.DSc received the accolade in recognition of her role in co-creating a successful apprenticeship programme for Biomedical Scientists between the University and UHNM.
 
The North Midlands & Cheshire Pathology Service (NMCPS)  has now registered more than 30 future Biomedical Scientists onto the programme.
 
Katie, who originally started working at UHNM as a Lab Assistant 34 years ago has continued her pathology career at UHNM and is now Chief Healthcare Scientist. She collected her award at a ceremony at Kings Hall in Stoke-on-Trent on Monday.
 
Katie said: “I was so shocked when I received the initial letter from Staffordshire University telling me that I was going to be awarded with a Honorary Doctor of Science degree. I couldn’t quite believe it. 
 
When I left college my A levels didn’t go to plan so I never ended up going to university back then. I started working at UHNM as a Medical Laboratory Assistant in Virology and then completed my degree later on during my career while still being able to work in Pathology. Now, working as Chief Healthcare Scientist at UHNM I am able to reflect on all the things I have achieved both personally and for the organisation. I am proud of what I have achieved and know there is so much more I can give.
 
“The apprenticeship programme is a huge success with people joining from all over the country and we have achieved a 100% pass rate for the North Midlands and Cheshire Pathology service. We are really proud of what we have been able to achieve and going forward we are now looking to branch out and offer this programme to other scientists and specialities across UHNM.
 
“I would like to say a huge thank you to the University of Staffordshire for this honour, the day was just perfect. My family and I were treated like VIPs and it was so lovely that they were there to celebrate with me.”
 
Matthew Lewis, Chief Medical Officer at UHNM, said: “We are so proud of Katie and what she has achieved. This honorary degree gives great recognition to her work within Pathology. She is an outstanding representative of Healthcare Scientists and is leading the way in showing what is possible for this profession.”