The BDA would like to congratulate Pauline Douglas, BDA Fellow and former BDA Chair, for receiving The Patricia Blackburn Award for Significant Contribution and Achievement at the Northern Ireland Advancing Healthcare Awards.
The awards, which took place on Thursday 23 October in Belfast, celebrate the valuable work of allied health professionals and healthcare scientists across Northern Ireland and it’s fitting that Pauline’s inspiring career has been recognised.
Throughout her career, Pauline has shaped dietetic education and practice over four decades of leadership, mentorship and service. For over 19 years as senior lecturer at Ulster University, she been a revered role model for dietetics, inspiring hundreds of students and staff.
She has championed high-quality dietetic education across the UK, having led the redesign of pre-registration training in Northern Ireland and introducing new placement models and assessment tools. In 2008, Pauline also helped to shape the BDA curriculum.
Her investment in training and education goes beyond the four nations, also currently occupying the role of Vice-Chair and Education Director for NNEDPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition & Health.
Pauline’s influence also extends into clinical practice, expanding services to the Northern Ireland Regional Cancer Centre and contributing to national cancer and palliative care guidelines. She demonstrated exceptional leadership in the development of a multidisciplinary adult cystic fibrosis service too.
Pauline has been an active member of the BDA for many years and completed a term as BDA Chair from 2007 to 2009. To recognise her contributions to the profession of dietetics and her long-standing commitment to BDA activities, Pauline was honoured with a BDA Fellowship in 2010.
The BDA Northern Ireland Board, who nominated Pauline, commented, “This award is a reflection of Pauline’s career-long dedication - the inspiration and leadership she has brought to so many and her profound impact. A huge congratulations to Pauline on this well-deserved award.”
Reflecting on her Advancing Healthcare Award, Pauline said, “I am very humbled and indeed extremely honoured to have been nominated for this award by my peers. It really means a lot.
“It’s also a real privilege to be associated with this specific award. I worked with Patricia Blackburn when in the Northern Ireland AHP workforce or as we were called then the PAMs, the Professions Allied to Medicine, really came together to create a more strategic and politically aware agenda for us all.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with amazing people and to see students develop into super professionals and leaders, all while never forgetting why we do what we do – for our patients/ clients and their carers.”
The BDA is delighted to see Pauline receive this honour for her enduring passion and commitment to advancing dietetics, both in education and practice.
