A North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) consultant has been named in the King’s New Year Honours.
Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (pregnancy, childbirth and female reproductive health), Lt Col Tracy-Louise Appleyard Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), is to be awarded an OBE in the Military Division of the New Year Honours List.
In her role as Defence and Army Consultant Adviser in Obstetrics and Gynaecology for Joint Hospital Group (South West), Lt Col Appleyard was cited as having “changed the face of women’s healthcare across Defence”.
According to the Army website, the award citation said: “Delivering time and again to save the lives of women and babies and to ensure fulfilling military careers are an option for women. She has shown that the Army, and wider Defence, is a place where everyone can succeed regardless of gender.”
At North Bristol Trust Lt Col Appleyard is the lead consultant for colposcopy and also cares for women and babies in Southmead Hospital’s maternity services.
She has served in the Defence Medical Services for more than 32 years supporting women’s health across Defence in the United Kingdom, overseas and on operations.
Of receiving the honour, Lt Col Appleyard said: “I am overwhelmed with gratitude and feel very proud to have been awarded an OBE. I am very thankful for the opportunites and support that I have received from my colleagues, both in Defence and the NHS, and my family without whom none of my achievements would have been possible."
North Bristol NHS Trust Medical Director, Sam Patel said: “We are very proud to see Tracy honoured for the fantastic work she is doing for women’s health in the military. “We know Tracy is passionate about providing the very best care to women and babies through her work here at North Bristol and it is wonderful to see how this is being extended nationally and internationally through her work with the military. Congratulations Tracy.”
North Bristol NHS Trust Chief Executive, Maria Kane, added: "This is a great honour, and we are incredibly proud of Tracy. Congratulations."