She was presented with a degree of Doctor of Health Care by the University of Bolton for her outstanding contribution to public health.
Dr Wall, who was born and raised in Bolton, is a GP senior partner at Oaks Family Practice and the senior system clinical lead for NHS GM.
Since the Covid-19 outbreak began, she has shown exemplary leadership in implementing Bolton’s clinical response to the pandemic. As well as being the senior responsible officer for the borough’s vaccination programme, she has led across the whole health and care system in her role on the Health Economy Resilience Group (HERG), organising vital PPE and oxygen supplies at the height of the pandemic.
The borough’s vaccination programme started in December 2010, when Dr Wall gave the first Covid jab to Ann Clubley. Since then, hundreds of thousands of doses have been given in Bolton and many lives saved.
Dr Wall received her doctorate during a ceremony at Bolton Albert Halls and said: “It’s a privilege to be standing here today to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Bolton.
“None of what has led me here today could have been done without many, many others.”
Dr Helen Lowey, Bolton’s director of Public Health, was also awarded a degree of Doctor of Health Care for her outstanding contribution to public health.
She led the corporate response to the Covid-19 pandemic, for which she was awarded the Faculty of Public Health’s President Gold Medal for Inspirational Leadership.
She said: “It’s a great honour to be here today. The pandemic touched every single one of our lives. Each and every one of you has been affected and will continue to be so.
“I haven’t brought my family today, but I have brought my work family and I am really proud to say the consultants in public health are here today to celebrate this award because it really, truly, is a team approach.”
The chancellor of the University of Bolton, the Earl of St Andrews, conferred the degrees, followed by words from Professor George E Holmes DL, president and vice chancellor of the university. Graduates from the School of Education and Psychology were also presented with their degrees throughout the day.
Around 3,400 University of Bolton students graduated during a series of ceremonies. Others who received honorary degrees included BBC journalist Clive Myrie, popular weather presenter Owain Wyn Evans, “The Chase” star Jenny Ryan, singer Lisa Stansfield and Paralympic gold medallist Ayaz Bhuta MBE.
