Dr. Sheila Reith, a dedicated doctor and mother, transformed diabetes care with a simple yet powerful idea. Her journey began in a London train station in the 1970s when she was administering insulin to her daughter, Fiona, who had type 1 diabetes.
Using a traditional syringe was often painful, as it required boiling glass syringes and steel needles that needed to be sharpened regularly. Dr. Reith believed there had to be a better, more accessible way for people with diabetes to take their medication.
After moving to Glasgow, she worked with two colleagues, Dr. John Ireland and Dr. John Paton, at the Southern General Hospital to create a user-friendly insulin device. Together, they developed the world’s first insulin pen in 1981.
This device, similar to a push-button pen, allowed users to administer precise doses of insulin quickly, revolutionizing the lives of people with diabetes. Known as “Penject,” the invention soon became widely adopted, replacing traditional syringes and making insulin injections far more convenient.
Dr. Reith’s impact didn’t stop there. She continued her efforts to improve diabetes care by developing a patient database and launching a center for multidisciplinary diabetes support. Her commitment to innovation earned her a valuable lifetime achievement award at the Pride of Britain ceremony, and she was honored with a CBE in 2023.
Dr. Elizabeth Robertson from Diabetes UK praised Dr. Reith’s work, noting her “generosity of spirit.” Dr. Reith’s simple idea in a train station restroom changed diabetes care forever, impacting countless lives and paving the way for future advancements.
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