In tribute to The Queen, recipients have been awarded for their outstanding contributions across all sectors, but in particular for sustained public service, the environment and sustainability, and youth engagement.
Professor Sarah Purdy is the University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience and a practising GP based at Sea Mills Surgery in Bristol. She has been awarded an OBE for her clinical research, teaching and leadership contributions in general practice and medicine more widely.
After qualifying in medicine from St Bartholomew's Hospital in London she trained in general practice at Exeter and then in research at the Harvard School of Public Health as well as working as a GP in Devon, York, Gateshead and Hull before coming to Bristol in 2004.
Academically, Professor Purdy has been a Research Fellow at Harvard, a Lecturer at Newcastle and a Senior Lecturer, Reader and Professor in Primary Care at the University of Bristol where she led the Bristol Medical School from 2015 to 2019 before becoming PVC for Student Experience. Last year she was appointed as a Non-Executive Director at North Bristol NHS Trust.
Professor Purdy said: “I feel surprised, honoured and humbled to have received this award. Working as a GP and contributing to teaching and research in primary care has been a core part of my life for over 30 years and it is incredibly special to be recognised for this.
“It has been a real privilege to be part of a fantastic and dedicated multi-disciplinary team at Sea Mills Surgery and to work with outstanding academic and professional services colleagues in the Centre for Academic Primary Care at the University of Bristol.”
Professor Katrina Turner and Professor John Mcleod, joint Heads of the Centre for Academic Primary Care (CAPC), said: "We are absolutely delighted Sarah has received this award in recognition of her clinical, research, teaching and leadership contributions in general practice and medicine more widely.
"Sarah is a GP and has worked in academic primary care for over 30 years. Before being appointed the University's Pro-Vice Chancellor for Student Experience, Sarah was Professor of Primary Care in the Centre for Academic Primary Care. She led an internationally renowned programme of research on unscheduled care use and avoidable hospital admissions, and collaborated with many CAPC colleagues on research studies in the areas of multimorbidity, patient safety and management of dermatological conditions. These research areas continue to be key themes within the Centre, and many colleagues still benefit from her advice and leadership.
"We are thrilled she has received an OBE. This award is so well deserved."
Professor Sarah Smith from the School of Economics was also awarded an OBE for her services to Economics and Education.