22 June 2018
Bristol nurse wins award for helping heart patients with deadly genetic condition
A nurse at the University Hospitals of Bristol Foundation Trust
has been named as the winner of a British Heart Foundation (BHF)
Alliance Award.
Lisa Gritzmacher was presented with an award for leadership and
engagement at the annual British Cardiovascular Society conference
in Manchester. She was recognised for her work to improve the
diagnosis and support for people with familial hypercholesterolemia
(FH) - a genetic condition that people at high risk of a heart
attack.
FH causes a person to have dangerously high cholesterol. If left
untreated it can lead to a person developing heart disease at an
early age.
Over the past 4 years, Lisa has helped develop testing services
across University Hospitals Bristol NHS Trust, North Bristol NHS
Trust, and the Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust. She has also
counselled patients and their families about FH following a
diagnosis.
The BHF Alliance awards are judged in two separate stages by a
panel of cardiology and healthcare experts who rate nominations on
several categories, including how teams and individuals have gone
above and beyond the basic requirements of their role.
Simon Gillespie, chief executive of the BHF, said: "I'd like to
congratulate Lisa for her well-deserved win. Lisa's passion and
motivation is apparent to all those working with her. Because of
her sustained hard work and dedication Lisa is helping to save
lives and ensure that people are receiving the support and advice
they need."
"Everyone in the BHF is rightly proud of the staff across the UK
who provide patients living with cardiovascular disease the best
possible care, and I'm delighted the BHF Alliance Awards thank and
recognise the people who work in or support those services."
Lisa Gritzmacher, FH clinical specialist nurse, said "I am
honoured to receive this award from the BHF.
"There is no cure for FH, but it can be treated successfully
which is why I feel so passionate about identifying and helping
people who have this condition.
"We are constantly striving to innovate and drive the service
forward and it's incredibly rewarding to know that this work is so
valued."
The BHF Alliance is a free membership scheme which provides
learning and development opportunities for healthcare professionals
who work with people affected by, or at risk of, cardiovascular
disease. For more information visit bhf.org.uk/alliance
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