Remarkable paediatric nurse and humanitarian awarded Fellowship
An extraordinary paediatric nurse and humanitarian – who has been deployed to several disease outbreaks and conflict zones across the world during her career, including most recently to provide medical aid to children in Gaza from a field hospital – is being awarded a Fellowship by the University of Hertfordshire.
Rebecca (Becky) Platt BEM, who is also a Herts alumna with an MSc in Contemporary Nursing, has shown astounding bravery, passion and commitment in helping some of the world’s most vulnerable people in some of the most dangerous locations. So much so, she was awarded the British Empire Medal for her remarkable overseas humanitarian work in 2021.
An Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Paediatric A&E at the Royal London Hospital and a senior lecturer on the Paediatric Emergency Medicine MSc at Queen Mary University of
London, Becky has also guest lectured this year’s graduating cohort of Herts nursing students. If that’s not enough, she’s also an executive member of Don’t Forget the Bubbles, an online resource for those who provide care for children, and gave a TEDxNHS talk in 2023 on compassion in emergency care.
Becky is the only individual to be awarded the prestigious honorary Fellowship during the University’s February graduation ceremonies, taking place from tomorrow until Wednesday 26 February, which is awarded to individuals who have made an exceptional contribution in their area of specialism, to the University or to the county of Hertfordshire.
Becky said: “I'm greatly honoured to receive this phenomenal award. As a nurse, I feel privileged to be there in the moments that change people's lives. Being awarded this Fellowship is the pinnacle of a hugely rewarding career.”
Professor Quintin McKellar, Vice Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire, said:
“While we are hugely fortunate to have so many awe-inspiring graduates from Herts, who go on to do incredible things that make a genuine difference to the world, there are then the people like Becky Platt who just take it that step further.
“Becky’s immense courage, selflessness and determination in using her vast skills to help others and always putting them before her own needs – even her own safety – is truly inspirational. She is a fantastic role model, embodies all our values here at Herts and couldn’t be more deserving of a Fellowship award. Thank you, Becky for everything you continue to do for the world.”
Becky will be presented with the Fellowship award during one of the University’s elaborate ceremonies at St Albans Abbey, where more than 6,000 Herts graduates and postgraduates will receive be officially recognised and celebrated for their educational success in front of family and friends.
Professor McKellar added: “Our graduation ceremonies are the pinnacle of a huge amount of determination and passion, and always such a joyous and special time. They allow our graduates to acknowledge, reflect on and celebrate the huge milestone they have achieved, and are also an important moment to start getting excited about all the opportunities to come.
“I want to extend my congratulations to each and every graduate and thank everyone for their immense contribution to the University of Hertfordshire. It’s now your time to shine – go out into the world with ambition, say yes to every opportunity and achieve your goals.”
The University of Hertfordshire was ranked first for overall student positivity in the East of England in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2024 and top five overall in the in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024, both for the second year running.