[T]he University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) West Cumberland Medical Education Centre has appointed a Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine to teach the next generation of medical students training in the region.
In his new role, Professor Gershan Davis will teach students across a breadth of medical courses including the MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery), the MSc in Hospitalist Medicine programme and Physician Associate Postgraduate Diploma. He will also work as a Consultant Cardiologist within the North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, providing coronary care and general cardiology services for heart patients.
Professor Davis, who joins UCLan from Aintree University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Liverpool, commented: “I am delighted to join the University of Central Lancashire’s West Cumberland Medical Education Centre and am looking forward to working with the students and also within the local community of West Cumbria.
“I am an active cardiovascular researcher and propose to introduce research activity relevant to the local population. This could include areas such as using digital health technology to improve assessment of follow up patients in cardiology and increase outpatient capacity, as well as its use in reducing admissions and improving outcomes in heart failure patients. Other areas of interest locally would be factors affecting public uptake of cardiovascular prevention guidance.”
The Head of UCLan’s School of Medicine, Professor Cathy Jackson, said: “It is fantastic to welcome Professor Davis to the University and further cement our relationship with North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust.
“By introducing joint clinical and academic posts we are able to attract some of the world’s leading doctors to the region, which is an area that suffers from some of the worst health inequalities in the UK, and work hard to meet skills demands in West Cumbria’s healthcare economy.”
Dr Rod Harpin, medical director at North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted to welcome Professor Davis to the Trust. With his experience in research and teaching as well as clinical expertise, I am sure he will be an asset to our medical team and will play a key role in further developing our partnership with UCLan.”
Professor Davis will also take part in collaborative research with the Preston Campus in areas of dental infection and heart valve disease and with colleagues in Manchester and Liverpool on obesity and its effect on cardiac rhythm disturbances. He is also working with European colleagues on how best to image coronary arteries in patients with chest pain.
