A leading clinical academic in Scotland has become the first nurse to be awarded a prestigious fellowship typically only given to doctors.
Dr Kath Williamson, from NHS Lothian, has been awarded a three-year chief scientist office (CSO) early postdoctoral research fellowship.
“We look forward to seeing the impact of her research and clinical innovation in bariatric care”
Juliet MacArthur
She is one of four recipients who was selected in the 2024 round for the programme, hosted by the school of health and wellbeing at the University of Glasgow, and began the fellowship in February this year.
The work she is undertaking as part of the fellowship is looking at how housebound people with obesity access weight management interventions.
The wider aim is to conduct a trial of weight management for housebound people with obesity, looking for outcomes including improved function, quality of life, mental health and reduced service utilisation.
As well as research, the fellowship has enabled Dr Williamson to become a clinical nurse specialist for bariatric care in the community, one day per week.
The role, hosted by the Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership, aims to support more effective cross-sector care, in a clinical area where the evidence base is poor but care needs are rising.
Dr Williamson said: “I hope that being the first nurse to be awarded a CSO early postdoctoral fellowship will bring other opportunities to role model and promote the potential for nurses to be successful in pursuing clinical academic careers.”
Dr Williamson has over 25 years’ experience working in NHS Lothian, including as a district nurse, bank nurse and more recently a manual handling adviser.
Since 2016, she has been supported in developing her research career through the health board’s nursing, midwifery and allied health professional programme, led by Professor Juliet MacArthur.
Professor MacArthur, chief nurse for research and development at NHS Lothian, said: “On behalf of my colleagues across NHS Lothian, I want to express how proud we are of Kath’s remarkable achievement.
“Securing a chief scientist office early postdoctoral fellowship is a significant milestone in any clinical academic’s career, but to be the first nurse in Scotland to do so is truly groundbreaking.”
She added: “Kath’s success is a testament to her dedication, expertise and the value of supporting nurses to pursue research careers.
“We look forward to seeing the impact of her research and clinical innovation in bariatric care, and the inspiration it will provide to other nurses across Scotland.”
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