Stephen Smith (gynaecologist)

Stephen Kevin Smith is a British academic and health executive who led the creation of the United Kingdom's first Academic Health Science Centre at Imperial College London.

Smith was Principal of the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College, London and Chief Executive of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust at its inception in 2007 then the largest such trust in the United Kingdom.[citation needed] Later on, he was Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne having been the Vice President (Research) at the Nanyang Technological University and Founding Dean of the joint Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine in Singapore. He was a founder of the Sino-Chinese biotechnology company, GNI Group Ltd.[citation needed]

A gynaecologist by training, he has published over 230 papers on reproductive medicine and cancer and was awarded his Doctor of Science in 2001 for his work in Cambridge on the complex gene pathways that regulate the growth of blood vessels in reproductive tissue using gene network analysis.[citation needed] He was head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Cambridge. He now serves on the board of Great Ormond Street, Children's Hospital, London and a range of biotechnology and digital analytics companies.[citation needed]

Career edit

Smith began his academic career at the University of Edinburgh (1978–1981 and 1985–1988) and the University of Sheffield (1981–1985).[1] Soon after, he served at the University of Cambridge as Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (1988–2003). He was also the Clinical Director, Women's Services, at Addenbrooke's Hospital National Health Service Trust (1997–2003).[1] In 2004, Smith served as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing at the University of Glasgow.[2]

In 2004, he was appointed the Principal of the Faculty of Medicine of Imperial College London, heading one of Europe’s top medical schools through an active period of growth and development.[3][4] At Imperial College, Smith also led the formation of the United Kingdom's first Academic Health Science Centre as Chief Executive.[5] Launched in 2007, the Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service Trust was formed from the integration of Hammersmith Hospital National Health Service Trust and St Mary’s National Health Service Trust with Imperial College.[6] His pioneering role in establishing the trust was recognised at the 2009 National Health Service Leadership Awards, during which he was named Innovator of the Year.[7][8]

In 2010, Smith was appointed Imperial College's Pro Rector (Health), while remaining the Chief Executive of the Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service Trust.[9] He took on the role of NTU’s Vice-President (Research) in September 2011[10] to lead the strategic development of research at the university,[11][12] which is the fastest-rising Asian institution among the world’s top 100 universities in the QS World University Rankings between 2010 and 2011.[13]

Research edit

Smith has been active in research since 1978. A gynaecologist by training, he has published over 230 papers on reproductive medicine and cancer.[10] For his work on the complex gene pathways that regulate the growth of blood vessels in reproductive tissue, Smith was awarded his DSc in 2001.[4]

Appointments edit

Smith is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal Society of Arts.[10] In 2009, the Health Service Journal ranked Smith among the top 30 most powerful people in National Health Service management policy and practice in England. He was the only National Health Service chief executive to be included.[14]

Smith has served on numerous committees for organisations such as the United Kingdom’s Medical Research Council, the World Health Organization, the National Institutes of Health (USA), the National Health Service, the British Heart Foundation and the Wellcome Trust. He also sat on the Health Innovation Council of the National Health Service and is a Trustee of Pancreatic Cancer UK and chairs the scientific advisory board.[10]

References edit

  1. ^ a b World Health Summit – Curriculum Vitae: Stephen K Smith Archived 2011-12-07 at the Wayback Machine World Health Summit
  2. ^ University appoints new Executive Dean of Medicine University of Glasgow news release, 30 July 2003
  3. ^ New Principal for Imperial's Faculty of Medicine Imperial College London news release, 26 May 2004
  4. ^ a b The global doctor-administrator: Professor Stephen Smith Archived 2011-11-11 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ NTU Chief Executive and Principal appointed to lead UK’s first Academic Health Science Centre Archived 2012-04-07 at the Wayback Machine Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust news release, 24 September 2007
  6. ^ Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service Trust: Our history Archived 2011-10-07 at the Wayback Machine Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
  7. ^ Faculty Principal named Innovator of the Year Imperial College London news and events, 22 December 2009
  8. ^ The NHS Innovator of the Year – Nominee: Professor Stephen Smith Archived 2011-09-27 at the UK Government Web Archive NHS Leadership Awards
  9. ^ Imperial College London announces new medical leadership positions to strengthen AHSC integration Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust news release, 11 November 2010
  10. ^ a b c d Professor Stephen Kevin Smith Archived 2012-04-04 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ Prof’s sharing way to boost research The Straits Times, 2 July 2011
  12. ^ Prof's 'dating approach' to get scientists to collaborate The Straits Times, 6 July 2011
  13. ^ NTU jumps up 16 places in the QS World University Rankings 2011 News release, 5 September 2011
  14. ^ Trust chief executive named one of most influential people in NHS Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust news release, 16 November 2009

External links edit