MBChB 1977 From Aberdeen to Leading Global Expert in Digital Healthcare
Your Time at Aberdeen
Why did you choose to study at Aberdeen? The reputation of the University and the quality of the curriculum and staff were key factors. Having previously lived in the city meant that I knew a bit about the area.
Why did you choose your particular course? I had always wanted to be a doctor once I had got over my wish to be a steam train driver! My father was a doctor and was a Reader in Materia Medical and Therapeutics in Aberdeen in the 1960s until we moved south, this also influenced my choice.
What did you most enjoy about your time at Aberdeen? Did you have any particularly memorable student experiences? I enjoyed all aspects of university life from learning how to ski badly and play squash reasonably. One of the more memorable experiences was having to explain to the Dean why a number of his 5th year students had made the front page of the Press and Journal. Fuelled by a night in the Union we decided that it would be good to supplement our student grants by forming Rent a Crowd. We placed an advert in the paper offering our services for a fee to bring a crowd of people to events to get the party started early and then slip away or to bolster the crowd at shop openings. It felt like a good idea at the time, hence the headline! We only got one offer of work from a local cattle mart, which we gracefully declined.
If while at Aberdeen you took part in a foreign exchange, e.g. Erasmus or Study Abroad, where did you go and what did you do? As part of my final year elective I spent time at the Medical Research Council Sickle Cell Anaemia Unit in Kingston Jamaica. I studied the cardiac effects of the disease on young children.
If talking to a group of prospective students, what advice would you give them to help them make the most of their time at the University of Aberdeen? Explore the wide range of opportunities available across the University academic, sporting, social and philanthropic and try new things. Do not sit happily in your comfort zone, it is a safe place to make new friends and try new things.
Your Time After Aberdeen
What was the title of your first job after graduating from Aberdeen? House Officer at Aberdeen City Hospital.
What did your first role involve? In my first 6 months I covered general medicine, respiratory, infectious diseases and rheumatology wards on rotation.
Who was your first employer? NHS Grampian
What is your current role? Chief Executive of Scotland’s National Innovation Centre for Digital Health and Care leading a national team that is tasked with addressing the key challenges being experienced by the people of Scotland across health and social care and address these using digital technologies.
Who is your current employer? University of Strathclyde
Please briefly describe the journey from your first job after graduating to where you are now. Trained as a GP in Aberdeen. Became an Associate Medical Director then Director of Primary Care for Grampian while also working as a GP. Became involved in supporting the Scottish Centre for Telehealth. Then added part time Medical Director in Orkney. Next I moved to NHS 24 as Medical Director and took on leadership of the Scottish Centre for Telehealth and added Telecare to the organisation and also took on Medical Director for the Scottish Ambulance Service. I set up DHI 10 years ago, the organisation I know lead. I have been or continue to be an advisor to the European Commission , the European Investment Bank, the World Bank, WHO and number of national and international organisations and Ministries of Health on digital health and care.
Was your degree at Aberdeen essential for getting to where you are now? If so, in what way? It was fundamental in starting my interesting and fulfilling journey in healthcare.
One Top Tip
Please share your one top tip that you think is most important for our current students or recent graduates that will help them when starting out on their career paths. Believe in yourself. Never be too proud to ask for help. Admit it when you do not know something. These are signs of strength not weakness. But most importantly enjoy what you are doing.
