The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has announced the election of a new academic vice-president and appointment of two new senior officers.
Professor John Wass, of the Department of Endocrinology at the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, has been elected as the RCP’s new academic vice-president. In his new role, John will be responsible for supporting the development of research activity in medicine generally; the development of RCP policy and activity relating to academic medicine; and the educational activities of the RCP including conferences, seminars, lectures and clinical research fellowships and awards.
John has sat on RCP Council since 2006 and his previous roles include founder of the Oxfordshire Osteoporosis Service, chairman of the Society for Endocrinology and president of the European Federation of Endocrine Societies.
Professor Wass will be taking over from Professor Tim Evans who has served in the role since 2009. Tim will continue his work leading the RCP’s groundbreaking Future Hospital Commission.
Commenting on his election to the role of RCP Academic vice-president, Professor John Wass said:
This is a very exciting time for academic medicine. We are seeing more and more opportunities for young people to make careers in the field and I hope to encourage many more physicians to engage with the world of medical research.
In the same month, Simon Shorvon, professor of clinical neurology at UCL Institute of Neurology, has been appointed Harveian librarian and David Warrell, Emeritus Professor of Tropical Medicine at the University of Oxford, has been appointed international director and Hans Sloane fellow.
Professor Simon Shorvon has a long-standing interest in historical aspects of medicine and in bibliographic studies, as well as wider publishing and editing experience. Simon takes up office in late July and will be responsible for preserving the 494 year old organisation’s history as well as developing modern, historical and archive collections. Professor Shorvon will be the 16th appointee to a post that was founded in 1654.
Professor David Warrell has spent most of his professional career living and working as a physician, teacher and researcher in tropical countries, as well as directing the Oxford Tropical Medicine Research programme. As RCP international director, David will coordinate the RCP’s team of international associate directors and advisors who represent the RCP worldwide. The international director also has the responsibility of developing the RCP’s work outside the UK, such as developing medical education with the West African College of Physicians, producing clinical guidelines for the Oman health service and facilitating the Medical Training Initiative which brings international doctors to the UK to train for fixed periods.
Commenting on the new appointments, Sir Richard Thompson, president of the RCP, said:
I am delighted to welcome our new academic vice-president John Wass, Harveian librarian Simon Shorvon, and international officer David Warrell.
I am extremely grateful to our outgoing officers, Professor Tim Evans, Dr Andrew Hilson and Professor John MacDermot. All have been invaluable to the RCP during their time in office and have overseen great developments in our support of academic medicine, our archive and museum services, and our international projects.
Commenting on his appointment as Harveian librarian, Professor Simon Shorvon said:
It truly is an honour to be appointed Harveian librarian, the RCP has a magnificent library, and fascinating history and archives. I look forward to developing the collections and helping many more people enjoy the treasures held within the RCP’s collections.
Commenting on his appointment as international director and Hans Sloane fellow, Professor David Warrell said:
I am looking forward to building on the achievements of the international office in promoting the RCP’s activities abroad and I hope to identify opportunities for new RCP collaborations in emerging nations. Clinical research is urgently needed in many overseas countries; I would like to explore training initiatives to provide education in this area.
The RCP has also elected four new fellows to the RCP Council. Dr David Cohen, Dr Rhid Dowdle, Dr Alan Roberts, and Professor John Saunders will take office in August.
For further information, please contact Andrew McCracken, RCP Communications and New Media Adviser, on +44 (0)203 075 1354 / 07990 745 608, or email andrew.mccracken@rcplondon.ac.uk