Cardiac Rehab Physician left heartened by national award
A Cardiac Rehabilitation Physician from UHNM has become one of only six people to receive national recognition for his “outstanding contribution” to heart failure patients.
Craig Gilchrist has been presented with a ‘You’re Simply Marvellous’ award from national heart failure charity Pumping Marvellous following a nomination by a former patient.
Wendy, who Craig treated at Royal Stoke wrote in her nomination: “Craig gives fantastic support, advice, friendship and is a great listener. He gave me back my life, showing me how to exercise correctly due to my health condition. If I had not met him, I would be a couch potato and very depressed. We have worked together to build up my fitness to help support my condition and keep it going in the future. He’s also educated me about my health issues. He’s treated me with the utmost respect and listened to my moaning on my down days.”
After receiving his trophy from Tracy Bullock, UHNM Chief Executive, Craig said: “I’m genuinely shocked. I love what I do in cardiac rehabilitation and got into this role because I love helping people. Working in rehabilitation is the best thing I’ve ever done in my life. I’m a big believer in getting the patient back doing what they were doing before, if not, as near to as possible.”
“With Wendy I spent every Wednesday with her on the bikes to get her back horse riding which is her life’s passion. I’m delighted she’s now back in the saddle and will thank her for her nomination the next time I see her.”
Nick Hartshorne-Evans, Chief Executive of the Pumping Marvellous Foundation said: “This annual award is presented to an individual that has shown outstanding contributions and excellence to heart failure. This award recognises that Craig has constistantly surpassed what is expected of him as a healthcare professional, and that the truly understands the needs of heart failure patients.”
Tracy Bullock added: “When you’ve impacted on a patient’s life so much and made such a difference to them it makes it makes awards like this even more special.”