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Dame Elizabeth Anionwu receives The Order of Merit for her science and medicine work

Acton resident, Dame Elizabeth Anionwu has received The Order of Merit for “exceptional distinction and services” for her work in science and medicine having been chosen by Queen Elizabeth II before the monarch’s death in September.

The Order of Merit was founded in 1902 by King Edward VII and is restricted to only 24 members.

75-year-old Dame Elizabeth, was born in Birmingham to an Irish mother and Nigerian father, started working for the NHS as a school nurse assistant when she was 16. She became the UK’s first sickle-cell nursing specialist and in 1999, created the Mary Seacole Centre for Nursing Practice at the University of West London.

Dame Elizabeth remains closely connected with the University of West London where she is the Emeritus Professor of Nursing.

In the 120 years of giving our the Royal honour, Dame Elizabeth becomes the third nurse to recieve it, following Florence Nightingale in 1907 and and Dame Cicely Saunders in 1989.

In an interview, following the news of her award, Dame Elizabeth said: “It’s a huge surprise, and incredibly pleasant surprise. From starting at sixteen as a school nurse assistant, way, way, way, way back, that nurses and what they have done and what they are doing has and is being noticed. I think that sends out a very positive message.”

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