Janice Abbott recognised by the US Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for her work to help patients
A University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) professor has received a prestigious award for her work in the university and the local community to help patients with cystic fibrosis.
Professor Janice Abbott was presented with the ‘Richard and Carolyn Mattingly Award’ by the US Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, which recognises research and leadership in mental health care and a commitment to the mental health and wellbeing of patients with cystic fibrosis.
Janice, who works as a Professor of Health Psychology at UCLan, has worked in the Cystic Fibrosis research field since 1989, when she joined the Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre.
As part of her work at UCLan, Janice has developed research to better understand the condition by gaining the patient’s perspective as to the benefits and limitations of treatments. She has worked with the UK Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the European Cystic Fibrosis Society to look at ways to improve support for people with the condition.
"I am delighted to receive the Mattingly Award for my research and leadership in mental health care in cystic fibrosis."
Janice also helped to lead the UK arm of the International Depression and Anxiety Epidemiological Study which highlighted the rising problem of depression and anxiety in people with cystic fibrosis and their care providers .Her work with the US Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has helped to improve the mental wellbeing of patients and their families worldwide.
Janice is the first non-US recipient of the award, which was initially set up three years ago in honour of Richard Mattingly and his late wife Carolyn. Richard had worked for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in America for several decades and they had both sought to improve understanding of the condition and make treatment for it more patient centric.
Janice said: “I am delighted to receive the Mattingly Award for my research and leadership in mental health care in cystic fibrosis. Working with people with Cystic Fibrosis and their families is truly inspirational and it is wonderful and timely to see mental health being recognised alongside physical health.”
Janice travelled to America to be presented with her award at the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference in Nashville, which was attended by more than 5,000 researchers and clinicians.
The Richard and Carolyn Mattingly Award recognizes an individual who demonstrates knowledge and specific expertise in the area of mental health and well-being to individuals with Cystic Fibrosis and their families. The individual also possesses a commitment to individuals with Cystic Fibrosis and strives to continually improve their quality of life and mental well-being and demonstrates leadership through the promotion of mental health care through service, education, advocacy and/or research.