Psychologist’s Hearts and Minds book wins a people’s choice award

Glasgow Caledonian University psychology lecturer Dr Liza Morton, who was the world's youngest pacemaker baby, has won an award for her book Healing Hearts and Minds: A holistic approach to coping well with congenital heart disease.

The book, which was co-authored by Dr Morton and US Clinical Social Worker Tracy Livecchi, was crowned 2023 Baby Hearts Press People's Choice Award in the Adult Book Category.

In the book, both women, who were born with congenital heart disease (CHD), share their own experiences of living with a lifelong heart condition, and the emotional and physical trauma associated with the condition.

They have not only triumphed over their own challenges but have dedicated their professional lives to helping others navigate the mental trauma associated with living with a chronic illness.

One reader, Shelagh Ross, described the book as unique and much-needed, praising its foundation in years of research and interviews with patients and their families. She said the information and insights presented in the book were indispensable and cannot be found anywhere else.

Anna Jaworski, owner of Baby Hearts Press, said: “Congratulations to Tracy Livecchi and Liza Morton for their outstanding achievement in creating a resource that will undoubtedly make a lasting impact on the lives of many.”

Dr Morton, a Lecturer in Applied Psychology and Counselling Psychologist in the School of Health and Life Sciences’ Department of Psychology, said: “Tracy and I are honoured that our book has won the Baby Heart’s Press People's Choice Award. We have been delighted with the response to the book since its publication at the start of the year.

“We are delighted by this recognition from the international congenital heart community, would like to thank everyone who voted for us, and hope it helps to further spread the word so anyone who may benefit from the book is able to access it.

“Extensive media coverage has provided the opportunity to raise awareness about the needs of this often-hidden population including coverage in the British Heart Foundation’s ‘Heart Matters’, BBC Scotland’s The Nine and BBC Radio Scotland’s Kaye Adams show.

“We have been inundated with positive messages from people with congenital heart conditions, family members, third sector organisations and medical professionals many of whom have invited to talk about this work to a range of audiences.”

More about the book here - Healing Hearts and Minds: A holistic approach to coping well with congenital heart disease, Oxford Uni Press.