The end of March was particularly exciting and historic as we had our first elections in over 500 years where collegiate members could cast their vote for college officers and members of Council. I’m delighted to welcome Dr Dan Furmedge as our new senior censor and vice president for education and training, and Professor Sam Rice and Dr Ben Thomas as joint vice presidents for Wales. Thank you to all who voted, and it was wonderful to meet so many members and fellows in the RCP building at Regent’s Park. I am looking forward to meeting even more of you at our flagship conference in May, Medicine 2026!

This edition of Commentary offers the chance to get to know a lot of the faces behind RCP work; not only do we have an interview with our new joint vice presidents for Wales, but it includes an introduction to many of our associate global directors and Dr Emma Vaux, vice president for Global. Sam Mauger, the head of the fantastic Patient and Carer Network, also shares some of the work and goals of the PCN.

This edition also encompasses the work of our members and fellows across the world; from doctors working as chief registrars or changing education in Iraq, to working in gastroenterology across different healthcare systems and improving healthcare for patients with learning disabilities.

Spring has finally arrived, and the work of artists in the RCP’s garden, museum and library is a great reminder of how inspiring the natural world can be. Commentary also speaks to doctors who are working to protect that natural world in their everyday practice, looking at how the Green physician toolkit is being used by different specialties.

Finally, our current Harveian librarian Professor Anita Simonds has put together a lovely look back into the history of the college with the ‘News from the past’ column – this time looking at the tumultuous career of the first Harveian librarian, Christopher Merrett.

I hope you enjoy reading this edition.

Wishing you all the best,

Mumtaz.