Miranda Lomer is the Senior Consultant Dietitian in Gastroenterology at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and Professor of Dietetics in Gastroenterology at King's College London.
She has received the Professional Achievement honour in recognition of outstanding personal commitment and exceptional contributions in the field of gastroenterology dietetics.
She has shown excellence in clinical, academic and research fields and has supported the development of dietetics in this clinical area for many years.
Miranda’s commitment to research, education and guideline development is outstanding and has supported the evidence base and research skills of the profession in the UK and internationally.
We asked Miranda about what it means to her to receive this honour.
What does it mean to you to receive the Professional Achievement honour?
I am absolutely delighted to be recognised - however I wouldn’t be here without all the love and support I have from my family, friends and everyone I work with. There are so many colleagues who are equally deserving of this honour, so I send a big thank you to everyone.
What drove you to become a dietitian in the first place and be where you are today?
I wanted to learn about how diet impacts health and disease. I developed an interest in gastroenterology early on in my career and wanted to be at the centre of advancing clinical practice and education through research. I love making a difference to people’s lives.
🥼 Professor @MirandaLomer MBE is a consultant dietitian in gastroenterology. Her role includes clinical practice, research and educating. She explains the most rewarding thing about her role. #DW2024 pic.twitter.com/rzjerjnzSA
— British Dietetic Association (@BDA_Dietitians) June 3, 2024
Who inspires you?
My colleagues inspire me! I have worked with some amazing dietitians on my journey through dietetics - some are at the cutting edge of research, stretching our knowledge of how diet impacts health and disease, while others are incredibly passionate about education or clinical practice and their dedication is so wonderful.
Outside of work, I fill my life with as many experiences as possible. When I first started dietetics I lived on a boat in South East London for three-and-a-half years. We’d set sail down the Thames with friends and family many weekends; now I live in a house in the Surrey countryside with my family, two dogs and a cat.
I love being a mum to my (almost) teenage son and enjoy gardening, eating home produce, drinking wine, spending time with friends and family, walking the dogs, decorating and travelling. Having been working in dietetics for over 30 years, life is busy so I also try to have some me time which includes swimming, jogging (I can hardly call it running!) and yoga.
What advice would you give to future dietitians?
Follow your passion and support others along your journey.
What has been the highlight of your dietetic career to date?
There are many…
One would be my first oral presentation of my research at the British Society of Gastroenterology, I was terrified about speaking at a conference for weeks in advance and practised my talk until I knew it inside out and back to front. My butterflies were intense, but once I had given the talk, I was so relieved and thrilled at the same time to have had the opportunity to speak to a large audience, that it has made me want to do it again and again.
Another very special day was taking my family to Buckingham Palace and receiving my MBE for services to dietetics and gastroenterology from our now King! What a moment that was - we chatted about the gut microbiota and Crohn’s disease.
It’s not all about my high moments though, I love being a dietitian and working in clinical practice. I can easily have a tear in my eye when a patient reports symptom resolution with a comment like, ‘Why didn’t you tell me about this diet before? You have changed my life!’
