HIV treatment pioneer Professor Brian Gazzard awarded CBE

Internationally renowned HIV expert Professor Brian Gazzard was awarded a CBE for services to healthcare in the Queen’s Birthday Honours published on Saturday 11 June.

Professor Gazzard, 65, is a Gastroenterologist and General Physician at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital where he was instrumental in establishing the HIV unit in 1987—it is now the largest HIV treatment centre in Europe. He is the Director of HIV Clinical Research & Education at Chelsea and Westminster which is recognised as a global centre of excellence for the treatment of and research into HIV.

Professor Gazzard was one of the founders of the HIV/AIDS research charity St Stephen's AIDS Trust in 1991 and he remains a Trustee of the charity, based at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this month.

He is also the founding Chair of the British HIV Association (BHIVA), chairing the BHIVA Executive from 1995–2004, and Chair of the Department of Health’s Expert Advisory Group on AIDS.

Dr Simon Barton, Clinical Director for HIV & Sexual Health at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, said: “Professor Gazzard has championed the combination of holistic and caring medicine with cutting edge research.

“He has inspired and taught a generation of clinicians all over the world and continues to challenge complacency in the fight against HIV and AIDS globally.”

Chris Birch, an elected patient representative on the hospital’s Council of Governors, said: "Brian's CBE is richly deserved and long overdue. He saw one of the first cases of HIV disease in this country and tells some amazing stories of the early days of the HIV pandemic.

“He is a fascinating, charming, funny man and one of the bonuses of being a Governor has been getting to know him and watching him play an active part in the governance of the hospital he loves."

Paul Decle, who chairs Chelsea and Westminster Hospital’s HIV patient forum, added: It is wonderful news that Professor Gazzard has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

“Countless thousands are still alive today thanks to the dedication of Brian and the staff in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital’s HIV directorate and St Stephen’s AIDS Trust.”