Nick Woznitza has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List for services to the NHS, in particular for his clinical and academic leadership skills in diagnostic radiography in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Over the last 18 months Dr Woznitza, who is a Consultant Radiographer & Clinical Academic at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Senior Lecturer in the School of Allied and Public Health Professions at Canterbury Christ Church University, has focused on research to improve preliminary evaluation of chest imaging to support the rapid diagnosis of Covid-19, and publishing his findings to inform radiographers’ work with Covid-19 patients.
He was also appointed as an expert advisor for diagnostic radiography services within the NHS Nightingale Hospital London, the first of the temporary hospitals set up by NHS England for the Covid-19 pandemic, acknowledging his leadership skills and professional credibility for the development of safe and effective services at pace.
Dr Woznitza is a widely-respected member of the radiography community and is seen as an enthusiastic advocate for the advanced practitioner role.
He is the first radiographer in the UK to report on neonatal chest x-rays and is involved in research as diverse as optimising radiographers’ contribution to the lung cancer pathway and the role of artificial intelligence in radiography.
He is one of the creators of the Twitter Journal Club for Radiation Sciences, and an associate editor of The Journal of Medical Sciences as well as a peer reviewer for Radiography, BMJOpen, Lancet Digital Health, PLOS ONE, BMC Health Services Research, JMIRS, JMRS, BJROpen.
Dr Woznitza has used his experience to inspire and educate both radiography students and practitioners through mentorship, supervision and the development of undergraduate pre-registration and post-graduate education and training programmes.
Dr Woznitza said he was “shocked, amazed and humbled” to have been honoured.
“I have been fortunate beyond words to have had the support and mentorship from so many people. Our research has shown that patient care can be improved by radiographer reporting, and I look forward to continuing this exciting work,” he said.
Richard Evans, the Society's Chief Executive, said: ‘It has been a privilege to witness Nick Woznitza’s career in radiography. His work to develop and promote advanced clinical practice, particularly in radiographer reporting, is world-renowned. His involvement in the Covid pandemic response indicates how Nick is respected and relied upon to provide clinical leadership across the multidisciplinary community. Radiographers everywhere will be proud to see Nick honoured in this way.’
Professor Rama Thirunamachandran, Vice-Chancellor at Canterbury Christ Church University, said: ‘Throughout the pandemic Nick refocused his work to support fellow radiographers and patients. His development of new diagnostic radiography services for the safe and effective diagnosis of Covid-19 and his leadership skills at the NHS Nightingale Hospital London have shown him to be an inspiration to current and future radiographers.’