The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Respiratory Care (ACPRC) has recognised Kate Grafton’s ‘outstanding contribution to respiratory physiotherapy’ in an award that is given every two years to one individual.
Kate graduated in physiotherapy from Leeds Metropolitan University in 1997 and worked as a clinical physiotherapist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in Leeds for 15 years.
Having moved into the education field at Leeds Beckett as a lecturer/practitioner 20 years ago, Kate developed her career further. She is now a principal lecturer at the school of health. Her clinical specialty is cardiovascular and respiratory physiotherapy, more specifically intensive care, surgery and organ transplantation.
‘Colleagues at the ACPRC have described Kate as passionate, student-centred, innovative and a bright, happy, shining face who is endlessly positive’ [Harriet Shannon, ACPRC]
Kate was a founding member of the ACPRC editorial board
Harriet Shannon, the ACPRC chair, said: ‘We give this award once every two years to a single member of our professional network who has made a sustained and significant contribution to one area of respiratory physiotherapy practice. The committee were unanimous in wanting to acknowledge Kate’s hard work since she joined the editorial board in 2019.’
Harriet, who is programme lead for postgraduate cardiorespiratory physiotherapy education at University College London, noted: ‘Kate was a founding member of the ACPRC editorial board and has been a long-standing contributor. During this time, she has led the scoping review on upper GI [gastrointestinal tract] and co-authored the simulation scoping review.
‘Kate has also led the first editorial board podcast to highlight the progress of the Ed [editorial] board and summarise the newly published surgical scoping reviews, which has allowed us to reach a wider audience and made our publications more accessible.’
‘Endlessly positive’ approach
Giving an insight into how Kate is regarded by her peers, Harriet added: ‘Colleagues at the ACPRC have described Kate as passionate, student-centred, innovative and a bright, happy, shining face who is endlessly positive.’
Dr James Milligan, head of subject for rehabilitation and health professions said colleagues at Leeds Beckett were ‘delighted that Kate has received this well-deserved recognition’.
Dr Milligan noted: ‘The award is a credit to Kate who wishes to continue to drive good practice forwards. Kate was recognised as a National Teacher Fellow in 2016. Together these are wonderful examples of Kate’s contributions within the university but with significant impact facing outwards.’
He added: ‘Kate’s family are extremely proud of her achievements and Kate is delighted to receive the award.’
