GREAT SCOTS
Chief medical officer knighted as record breaking Olympian Duncan gets OBE
SCOTLAND’S chief medical officer has been knighted in the New Year Honours list for leading efforts to deal with the pandemic.
Dr Gregor Smith said his role had been a “privilege and a pleasure” and that he was “surprised and honoured” to be made a Knight Bachelor.
The GP took over the job in April 2000 and has advised the Scottish Government on its public health response to Covid-19 and answered questions at press briefings.
Dr Smith, a former medical director for primary care at NHS Lanarkshire, said: “I am surprised and feel honoured to receive a knighthood in The Queen’s New Year Honours list for services to public health.
“This means a huge amount to me but it is a reflection of the work that a good number of us have undertaken during the course of the coronavirus pandemic.”
Glasgow-born swimmer Duncan Scott receives an OBE after becoming the first British athlete to win four medals at a single Olympic games with a gold and three silvers at Tokyo 2020.
Paralympic gold medallist Owen Miller, from Fife, also receives a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) following his victory in Tokyo in the T20 1500m. There is an MBE for Kathleen Dawson, from Fife, who swam backstroke as part of the world record-beating mixed 4x100m relay team to win gold for Team GB at the Olympics in July. Former St Johnstone FC chairman Geoff Brown, who rescued the club from financial difficulty in 1986, receives an OBE for services to football and the community in Perth. Dr Liz Cameron, director of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, is made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the promotion of Scotland and UK international trade.
There are OBEs for Joseph Freedman, for services to the Jewish community in Glasgow, and Aberdeen GP Dr Adaeze Ifezulike, for addressing health inequality in minority communities.
Paul Fairie, the head of operations at Glasgow’s Lighthouse Lab that has processed more than 20million Covid-19 tests, also receives an OBE.
Two St Andrews University academics are on the list. Dr Maggie Ellis, of the School of Psychology and Neuroscience, is awarded a MBE for improving the lives of people with dementia.
Ailsa Hall, emeritus professor of biology, receives a OBE for her of work in environmental protection and epidemiology.
Knighthoods go to former Rutherglen Labour MP Tommy McAvoy and former Ayr Conservative MSP John Scott.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The Queen’s New Year Honours list illustrates the outstanding contributions of those across Scotland who have made a difference to their communities throughout the country and beyond.”