Michelle Wardrop is the Community Manager, Dietetics at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Michelle received the Edith Elliot Honour in recognition of her significant and sustained personal commitment and contribution to the profession locally and in Scotland.
We asked Michelle about her work and what this honour means to her.
What does it mean to you to receive the Edith Elliot Honour?
There are a range of words that describe how I feel including overjoyed, humbled, delighted, elated and thrilled - this list goes on. I love being a dietitian and it is a joy to have received this award for doing a job I love.
What drove you to become a dietitian in the first place and be where you are today?
I had a real desire to work in the health care environment. I chose to become a dietitian as I fascinated how nutrition impacts on people's health and well-being, across all ages. I loved the fact there are so many different specialities that a dietitian can work in and I have been fortunate to work in quite a number of different roles.
When considering which health care profession I wanted to pursue I visited a dietetic department at a local hospital - that was it, my mind was made up, I wanted to be a dietitian.
Who inspires you?
Probably like many dietitians my love of food means I enjoy cookery programmes, I particularly enjoy watching chefs and cooks such as Mary Berry, Michel Roux Jr. and Raymond Blanc and have made some of their dishes for family and friends.
I have worked with many different dietitians over my career and so many of them have influenced and shaped the dietitian I am today. I have had the good fortune to have participated in numerous working groups and the membership of these groups have truly inspired me professionally.
However, early in my career there were two people who notably inspired me. They were Roy Bartle, Health Promotion Manager Redbridge Health Authority and Morag MacKellar, Head of Profession in Forth Valley. Roy taught me and inspired me about the role of nutrition in public health and Morag hugely influenced me professionally about the role of a dietitian in primary care and community.
What advice would you give to future dietitians?
Work hard, be brave and try lots of different roles. Llisten to your colleagues, as you can learn loads from them. And don't lose sight of your values.
What has been the highlight of your dietetic career to date?
Oh goodness there have been a few! For instance when you apply for a post and you get that call to say you are the preferred candidate, that is a joyous moment.
Of course, there are many points in my career that I look back at and smile. However, in all honesty, I would need to say that my highlight is the team I work with right now. They are highly professional and they all want to make a difference to the patients and their families. This team simply wants to demonstrate how nutrition and dietetics can positively impact on patient outcomes. They challenge themselves and each other - constantly asking what can we do better, what do we need to change, what does the evidence say whilst showing kindness and support to each other.
