Hearing and balance doctor receives highest honour
An audiology doctor at Southend University Hospital, Dr Gareth Smith, has been awarded the status of Principal Fellow by the British Society of Audiology (BSA).
The BSA noted the part Dr Smith has played in the field of audiology at departmental, regional and national level.
This means he's not just been helping change lives for the better in Southend and Essex, but across the whole country.
Dr Smith, from Benfleet, has been at the hospital for 22 years, over that time the Consultant Clinical Scientist has done much to help improve patient care. This includes MRI scans for one-sided hearing loss, testing why some babies have hearing loss and investigating causes of hearing loss in adults.
Principal Fellow is the highest recognition given by the BSA to its most respected members. It recognises the highly significant and lasting contribution to the Society and to the wider field of audiology.
Of the award, Dr Smith said: "It's humbling to be recognised by my peers, my work means a lot to me and I've always put patients first. It's wonderful to be awarded for helping improve their lives.
A lot has changed in over two decades, we have seen many advances in audiology, and it is a privilege to continue to play my part in that."