Dr Nick Riches, an exceptional public health specialty registrar, has been announced as a finalist for the Staff Awards Ceremony 2024. His remarkable work extends far beyond the UK, with significant contributions to healthcare research, guideline development, and system improvement in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
Dr Riches has extensive experience working in Malawi and Eswatini, where he has been instrumental in addressing pressing health issues and driving impactful change. His qualifications in public health, epidemiology, tropical medicine, and healthcare leadership have enabled him to make a profound impact on global health, with his work resonating across continents.
Since 2019, Dr Riches has been leading *The Chiwindi Study*, a Wellcome Trust-funded PhD research project that focuses on liver disease and its determinants across Malawi. This study exemplifies his commitment to tackling significant health challenges in Africa and reflects his dedication to improving healthcare outcomes in underserved regions.
Before his work in Malawi, Dr Riches served as a Public Health Research Fellow at Good Shepherd Hospital in Eswatini, where he played a pivotal role in enhancing psychosocial support within HIV and TB programmes. He also focused on non-communicable diseases, collaborating with the Ministry of Health to extend a successful model of care across the country. His efforts in health protection, particularly in overseeing outbreak responses, further underscored his commitment to safeguarding public health.
In addition to his research, Dr Riches co-founded the Hepatitis B in Africa Collaborative Network, demonstrating his ability to build productive partnerships that foster collaboration and drive progress. His work has been shared at conferences in Africa and the UK, establishing him as a leader in global health research.
Now based within NHS Lanarkshire’s public health team, Dr Riches is applying his vast experience to support hepatitis initiatives in Lanarkshire and work on improving health outcomes for marginalised populations more broadly.
For his outstanding contributions to public health, leadership in global health initiatives, and unwavering dedication to improving lives across the globe, Dr Nick Riches has been deservedly shortlisted for this award.
