Keele professors among New Year Honours recipients

An academic who has "never courted publicity" has described her shock at being appointed an MBE for services to medical research.

Elaine Hay, professor of community rheumatology at Keele University, has helped shape the way the NHS treats back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders.

Over the last three decades she has secured almost £40m in funding to support research into diseases and conditions like osteoarthritis and tennis elbow.

The university said she was partly responsible for it and its clinical partners in Staffordshire becoming internationally renowned in the field.

"It was quite a shock when a letter came through the post from the Cabinet Office," Prof Hay said.

"It's wonderful recognition and the thing that has touched me the most is that it's my colleagues who have put me forward for it."

The professor is the author of about 400 peer-reviewed papers in publications including The Lancet and British Medical Journal.

Her work has contributed to national policies and international guidelines and has led to service redesign in the NHS that has reduced wait times and improved care for patients, the university said.

"I know a lot of people say this, but the award really is a reflection on everybody I have worked with over the years to put primary care and musculoskeletal research on the map," Prof Hay added.

"Throughout my career I've always focused on making a difference to patients and colleagues and seeing other people that I work with succeed gives me a real buzz."

Prof Mark Ormerod, who is deputy vice-chancellor at the university, was appointed an OBE for services to education and to sustainability.

He joined Keele University in 1992 as a lecturer in physical chemistry and has dedicated his working life to enhancing and promoting environmental sustainability.

His research in sustainable materials and surface chemistry and clean chemical technologies is internationally renowned and has led to significant advances in the field.

"I am both delighted and humbled to receive an OBE," Prof Ormerod said.

"I feel very fortunate to have worked with lots of very talented and committed people throughout my career, who have provided inspiration and motivation to try to make a difference to education, research and the environment."

• Sandra Watson, of Stafford, is appointed an OBE for services to the criminal justice system, lately as children and families manager at HM Prison Oakwood
• Margaret Yates, of Stoke-on-Trent, is appointed an OBE for services to education as CEO of All Saints Catholic Collegiate
• Emily Grace Cunningham, of Stafford, is appointed an MBE for services to marine conservation and coastal communities for her work as a marine biologist
• Gifford Andrew Foote, of Rugeley, is awarded a BEM for services to the community in Armitage with Handsacre
• Ann Veronica Harvey, of Stoke-on-Trent, is awarded a BEM for services to early years, lately as a nursery teacher and chair of governors at Bentilee Nursery
• Michelle and Simon Hawkins, of Burntwood, are awarded BEMs for services to foster care as foster carers for Fostering Solutions, West Midlands
• Robert Alan Love, of Tamworth, is awarded a BEM for services to sport and to people with disabilities as bowler and ambassador for International Disabled Bowlers
• Robert Patchett, of Tamworth, is awarded a BEM for services to the community in Mease Valley
• Philip John Siddell, of Burton-on-Trent, is awarded a BEM for services to early years, childcare and the charitable sector as co-owner of Humpty Dumpty Day Nurseries Ltd and trustee of the National Day Nurseries Association, West Midlands

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