Prof John Moxham receives prestigious award for work in respiratory physiology

Prof John Moxham, former King’s Health Partners Director of Clinical Strategy and Medical Director of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust [pictured below, right], has been awarded the British Thoracic Society Medal (BTS Medal).

Awarded annually to renowned recipients, the BTS Medal recognises significant contributions to respiratory medicine or science. This prestigious award acknowledges the recipient's leadership in and contribution to clinical and/or scientific work which has delivered strong patient benefits and inspired peers.

John was recognised for his achievements in respiratory physiology, non-invasive ventilation, pulmonary rehabilitation, better understanding of breathlessness, and his tireless work in tobacco control.

John joined King’s Health Partners at its inception in 2009 as Director of Clinical Strategy, having previously been Medical Director of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust from 2003 to 2009 and Professor of Respiratory Medicine at King’s College London, and retired from King’s Health Partners in 2019. His long and distinguished career in respiratory medicine and healthcare leadership also led to his active role in advising on national tobacco policy. He was first Chair of the BTS Tobacco Committee, Chair of the campaigning group Doctors for Tobacco Law and Chair of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).

John was the driving force behind both the King’s Health Partners value based healthcare agenda and wider ambitions for the health system to focus on screening, diagnosis and treatment through the Vital 5 programme. King’s Health Partners new five-year plan – 'Delivering better health for all through high impact innovation' - builds on his pioneering efforts by prioritising the improvement of population health as one of the four key themes for 2020-25.

Jill Lockett, Managing Director of King’s Health Partners, said:

I am delighted to see John’s exceptional career recognised further with the British Thoracic Society Medal. John’s contribution to the development of clinical academic respiratory medicine is outstanding.  Though I’m sure he would be modest about it, his legacy at King’s Health Partners continues to help tackle the biggest population health challenges of our time and inspires major organisations to join our efforts. As an enthusiastic Camberwellian I know he remains engaged with groups across south east London to improve the health of our local communities.

Prof John Moxham, former Director of Clinical Strategy at King’s Health Partners, said:

“I am absolutely delighted to be awarded the BTS Medal. Respiratory physiology research may be a minority sport but it has led to innovations that have improved the lives of many patients. Globally, smoking remains the greatest cause of severe respiratory disease, so it is fantastic that over the last 30 years smoking levels in the UK have fallen more than in most other countries. The BTS and so many of its members have played a major role in this achievement; it’s been a privilege to play a part.”

You can read an in-depth reflection of John’s 46-year career here.

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