Dr Sarah Clarke, a consultant cardiologist at Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Cambridge, assumes the role from Sir Andrew Goddard, whose 4-year term as president has come to an end.
Dr Clarke, the previous clinical vice president, is only the fourth female president in the RCP’s 504-year history.
She became a consultant cardiologist at Papworth in 2001 and later also took on senior roles as a clinical director for the hospital Trust and, nationally, as a cardiology lead on the NHS’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme. She is also deputy-chair of the British Heart Foundation and was previously the first female president of the British Cardiovascular Society.
Dr Clarke said: "I am proud to take up office as president of the RCP. While we mark this moment in a muted way, as we continue to mourn the death of The Queen, I do want to pay credit to my predecessor Sir Andrew Goddard for his successful time as president and leading us so expertly through tumultuous times. Now is a time for reflection, including on our long association with Her Majesty as our Visitor, but our thoughts will also turn to the future at such a time of change. Many challenges lie ahead but I know that, together, we will meet them and continue the RCP's long and proud success story."