A doctor from Fairfield, Dr April Brown, has received an MBE in 2023's New Year Honours list.

Dr April works as improvement director, intensive support for NHS England and has been named in this year's list for her services to the NHS and the nursing profession.  

She began her nursing career in 1989 before successfully completing a Doctorate in Health Research in 2013. She has used this to underpin her practice.

The 52-year-old has undertaken the Florence Nightingale Scholarship and a programme of personal leadership development with the Virginia Mason Centre.

Dr April told the Comet: "I am still very shocked to receive this honour, it's something I had never expected.

"Proudest moments in my career include qualifying as a registered nurse in 1992 at The New QEII Hospital in Welwyn Garden City; knowing that I’ve provided good care to the local community, completing my doctorate at the University of Hertfordshire, working at the Department of Health, attending the World Health Assembly in Geneva and contributing to the Commonwealth Health Ministers meetings with the UK delegation. 

"Also, being the Chief Nurse at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn during 2020 and 2021 at the height of the pandemic and working with resilient and knowledgable staff that during a really difficult time. As Chief Nurse in Kings Lynn I was the first black and minority ethnic chief nurse in the East of England.

"Whilst being Chief Nurse, I was also the executive lead for infection prevention control and for the vaccine roll out. With my executive colleagues and senior leaders at the trust we led a very effective roll out for our local community and staff."

On what motivates her, she added: "It’s key to support new and emerging leaders in the profession, we need our BAME staff in the NHS to enjoy equal access to courses, to promotions and thereby ensure that decision making and the provision of care for our patients reflects diverse needs.

"Mentorship supports staff to be increasingly resilient and to navigate their way through their careers."

Dr April is a visible black female leader and has created a network to support other female leaders achieve senior roles.

From 2016 to 2022, she worked as an honourary Commander at RAF Lakenheath - as the only female Commander, she was involved in creating opportunities for the NHS to share learning and reciprocal training with the US Air Force.