College elects new Ordinary and Regional Councillors

19 Dec 2020

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow has appointed new Ordinary and Regional Councillors following our recent College Council elections.

The following College Fellows and Members were elected:

• Dr Graham Curry – Ordinary Councillor (Physician).
• Major Ajay Kumar Sharma – Ordinary Councillor (Surgeon) outwith Scotland.
• Dr Dhiraj Tripathi – Regional Councillor (Physician) outwith Scotland.
• Dr Charles Kelly – Regional Councillor (Physician) outwith Scotland.

Dr Graham Curry

Dr Curry is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Physician at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. He has spent several years in clinical management and more than a decade in Postgraduate education in his current role as Director of Medical Examinations. He was involved in the running of the PACES examination with the development of PACES 2020 and the current re-introduction of examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On becoming Ordinary Councillor (Physician) Dr Curry said:

“I will strive to reflect the needs of working clinicians while increasing the profile of our College within the UK and to develop the international standing of the College abroad.”

Major Ajay Kumar Sharma

Major Ajay Kumar Sharma is a Consultant Surgeon in Transplantation at Royal Liverpool University Hospital and a Major in the Royal Army Medical corps British Army. He was Training Programme Director of Core Surgical Training, which included introducing simulation courses and generating leadership opportunities. He has facilitated core surgical trainees to evolve as an anatomy teacher while benefitting medical students.

After being elected as Ordinary Councillor (Surgeon) outwith Scotland, Major Sharma said:

“It is a real privilege to be elected as a councillor for the College. This will give me an opportunity to join hands with colleagues to nurture medical students and foundation doctors to evolve as a role model as surgeons of future.”

Dr Dhiraj Tripathi

Dr Tripathi is a Consultant Hepatologist and Liver Transplant Physician at University Hospitals Birmingham. His leadership roles include Deputy Clinical Director for Research for University Hospitals Birmingham, Lead of the British Association for the Study of the Liver Special Interest Group in Portal Hypertension and as Chief Investigator of one of the largest multicentre UK wide clinical trial in liver cirrhosis.

Following being elected as Regional Councillor (Physician) outwith Scotland, Dr Tripathi said:

“It is a real honour and privilege to be elected to the College Council as Regional Councillor (Physician) outwith Scotland. I very much look forward to working with other distinguished members of the council and embracing the college vision and goals.”

Dr Charles Kelly

Dr Kelly is Lead of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology at Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Freeman Hospital Newcastle. He was degree Programme Director for the online MSc/Diploma/Certificate courses in both Oncology and Palliative Care for Newcastle University which he initiated and has been involved in running for over 15 years. He is still involved in managing the clinical modules within this course.

On becoming Regional Councillor (Physician) outwith Scotland, Dr Kelly said:

“I am very happy to be elected to Council and keen to help the College, which I have been a member of now for some considerable time. I do think is a challenge to increase recruitment outside of Scotland but one thing COVID-19 has made us all aware of is how useful and indeed necessary online communication is. I think this might make it easier to involve people with the College.”