AMMF founder awarded an Honorary Doctorate for services to medicine and science
Helen Morement, the founder and Chief Executive of AMMF – The Cholangiocarcinoma Charity has been awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Science honoris causa from the University of Nottingham in recognition of her service to medicine and science over more than two decades.
Helen was nominated for this prestigious degree by Professor Kevin Gaston, Professor of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Nottingham. The award recognises Helen’s outstanding contribution through the work of AMMF, in the field of cholangiocarcinoma – a primary liver cancer, also known as bile duct cancer or CCA – that is poorly known but experiencing a sharp increase in patient cases, including among younger people.
AMMF is the only UK charity dedicated solely to supporting people with cholangiocarcinoma, their families and specialised research teams, to advancing the understanding of cholangiocarcinoma and its causes, and the discovery of more effective treatments and methods of earlier diagnosis.
When AMMF was set up in 2002 by Helen, it was the world’s first charity dedicated to cholangiocarcinoma. Today, the charity works across the UK, Europe and globally with medical and scientific experts and patient groups. Since its creation, AMMF has awarded grants to support CCA research at many of the UK’s leading research institutions and internationally, too.
During the Graduation ceremony on 17 July, Professor David Bates, Professor of Oncology and Director of the University of Nottingham’s Centre for Cancer Sciences, delivered an Oration in which he outlined Helen’s work explaining that, as a consequence of this work, development of and access to clinical trials, surgery, information and drug therapies have improved, and that she continues to advocate for a more widespread approach for fair and equitable treatment.
Professor Bates presented Helen to the Vice-Chancellor and the whole congregation as “eminently worthy to receive the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa.”
Helen then received her degree from the Presiding Officer and was invited to address the congregation of graduates from the Faculty of Science, School of Medicine and School of Veterinary Medicine and Science and their families and guests. She offered the graduates her congratulations and explained:
“It’s hugely important to me that I am receiving this honour from the University of Nottingham, where over the last few years, inspirational and dedicated scientists, as well as exceptional medics, are creating what can only be described as a hub of cholangiocarcinoma expertise.”
Having been asked to provide words of encouragement and inspiration to the graduates as they embark upon the next chapter of their lives, Helen shared with them what she has learned over the last 22 years: to question and never stop learning, to collaborate, to develop resilience and determination, to look on every obstacle as a challenge, and to believe in themselves. Adding: “I’ve learned to believe in the value of what I was doing – and that’s not always easy, but if you don’t value your work, how can you expect others to? And I’ve developed two valuable attributes: a thick skin and determination!”
Lastly, Helen encouraged the medical and veterinary graduates not to underestimate kindness and empathy, qualities which would not only make them better professionals, but could also make a profound difference in the lives of others – human and animal – quoting the Dalai Lama, ‘Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible’.
Orator, Professor David Bates, and Honorary Graduate, Helen Morement
To see a video of the award ceremony and the speeches made by Professor David Bates and Helen Morement during the Graduation, please click here: Orator and Honorary Graduate
July 2024
