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University College London (UCL) has appointed its first-ever professor of nursing.

Professor Rachel Taylor, director of the Centre for Nurse, Midwife and Allied Health Profession Led Research (CNMAR) at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) and

UCL nurse academic, was given the appointment this week.

"Rachel has inspired many nurses and allied health professionals to advance healthcare through research"

With the new title, Professor Taylor will keep contributing in her CMAR role, a well as her work on the university’s master’s programme in advanced critical care practice for nurses and

allied health professionals through the UCL Division of Surgery and Interventional Science.

The decorated nursing academic first joined UCL in 2009, after having worked as a paediatric intensive care nurse in London, and having completed a PhD at King’s College London the year

before.

Since then, she has authored and co-authored almost 200 research papers on many areas of healthcare, with cancer in young people a particular focus of hers.

“Much of my research has focused on what it’s like to be diagnosed with cancer at such a crucial stage in life, when young people are on the cusp of adulthood, and how their diagnosis and

treatment affects them later in life,” she said.

“A cancer diagnosis can bring your life to a halt and I’d say that this is particularly devastating in young people, causing them to miss exams, university and other experiences that have

long-term impacts on their future prospects.”

Professor Taylor has also been involved with the cancer trials team at University College London Hospitals.

As part of this, Professor Taylor helped run the BRIGHTLIGHT study into the experiences of people aged 13-24 who have been diagnosed with cancer.

The study aimed to find out what factors impacted their outcomes, such as where they were treated and which professionals treated them. Professor Taylor’s involvement also saw her help

spread the word of the findings via a stage play, named There is a Light: BRIGHTLIGHT.

Professor Taylor’s colleagues congratulated her on the appointment.

Vanessa Sweeney, chief nurse at the hospital trust, said: “Rachel’s appointment to professor of nursing is worthy recognition of her contribution to healthcare research and demonstrates the

value and impact of nurses in research.

“Rachel has inspired many nurses and allied health professionals to advance healthcare through research.

“Her appointment will strengthen our ambition for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals to develop clinical academic careers across UCLH and UCL.”

Meanwhile, Professor Vivek Mudera, director of UCL Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, added: “As a division we are an interdisciplinary team, with surgeons, scientists,

physiotherapists and nurses working together to deliver significant advances in global healthcare.

“Rachel is a great example of how this collaborative spirit can help to improve the lives of patients, and her portfolio of research at UCL and UCLH is internationally recognised.”