Meet our new Faculty President…

Christopher Gardner-Thorpe
MD FRCP FRCPE FACP, Consultant Neurologist

It is a great pleasure to have been appointed President of the Faculty and I shall work hard to further the aims of the Faculty as have my predecessors, and with the help of the Deputy President, Briony Hudson. My own time with the Society started when I was asked to consider becoming an examiner for the DHMSA, a post I took up with avidity, and then to be Deputy Convenor of the Examiners and thereafter also Course Director. To work with distinguished colleagues and fascinating persons, both within the Society and without, has made the last few years so enjoyable, years of continuing learning and challenges.

The Faculty promotes and teaches the history of medicine and pharmacy and the philosophy in these areas. One of the Society’s great strengths, built up over many years, is in examining. To all of this has been added recently some guidance in communication skills, in particular in relation to writing, presenting and illustrating material, with such tutoring as can be made available too. All these areas can be developed further in the courses, in individual sessions and with the involvement of those who wish to take part in the meetings of Fellows and in the Fellowship Seminars.

We form an inclusive team and are open to all constructive suggestions concerning the aims and functions of the Faculty. It has been said that organisations do not stand still but either advance or regress. We want to advance so please keep the suggestions coming in!

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I’m delighted to take on the role of Deputy President and work closely with Christopher, Maria and the rest of the Faculty’s Executive Committee for the next 3 years. As a professional historian and museum curator, and non-medic, I hope to be able to bring some different perspectives to the opportunities and challenges we face as a Faculty. Since I first visited the Hall in 2002, I’ve been inspired by its history, its events and the opportunity to meet new and interesting people. I was excited to create a new three day History of Pharmacy and the Pharmaceutical Industry course last year and thrilled at its reception. I hope that we can continue to find a successful balance between tradition and innovation in all that we do.