Cynthia Atwell
An outstanding leader and champion of occupational health nursing, Cynthia Atwell’s contribution to occupational health has garnered her widespread recognition. In its 2007 review of the 40 most influential people in the field, Occupational Health Magazine ranked Cynthia at number three, well ahead of Sir Liam Donaldson and Patricia Hewitt.
The only nurse, to date, to have been appointed as a commissioner at the Health and Safety Commission, she is also only the second nurse to be awarded an honorary fellowship of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine by the Royal College of Physicians.
During her 35 year career Cynthia has worked with the Federation of Occupational Health Nurses in the European Union, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, and the Institution for Occupational Safety and Health. In 2000 she created the nationally renowned certificate and diploma course in occupational health at the University of Warwick.
Cynthia believes the RCN Fellowship award signifies a very welcome appreciation for a nursing specialisation that has, she believes, often been marginalised in the past.
“This award bestows recognition not only on myself, but on occupational health nurses in general. Occupational health nursing will play an important role in delivering the Government’s Health, work and wellbeing strategy, helping to transform opportunities for people recovering from illness while at work.”