College welcomes David Wylie as Dean of the Faculty of Podiatric Medicine

19 May 2023

David Wylie has been appointed as the new Dean of the Faculty of Podiatric Medicine at the Annual General Meeting which took place on 17 May 2023. He has succeeded the position from Christine Skinner.

On taking up the position of Dean and looking to the future of the Faculty, David said…

“Being a Fellow of the Faculty of Podiatric Medicine in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow has been one of the major highlights of my career in podiatry. If we fail to advance our knowledge and skills, the profession will not maximise its potential in delivering the highest quality of technical, clinical and compassionate care that not only protects limbs but prolongs lives.

During my ten years as a Fellow, I have been privileged to contribute to the learning and education that is so essential for clinicians to practice at the top of their licence. I have sought to embrace within the podiatry profession the transformational principles espoused by our medical and surgical colleagues in ‘Realistic Medicine’, the Scottish Government’s vision for health care planning and delivery.

This partnership approach, offered by the multidisciplinary ethos of the College, resonates deeply with me.  My lived experience of operationally managing podiatry services in the NHS for over 30 years has seen the greatest advances in radical service redesign when podiatrists work collaboratively with physicians, surgeons and other health care professionals to maximise their own knowledge and skills, ensuring that physicians and surgeons can do the same.

The international profile of the College also offers the podiatry profession in the UK an unparalleled opportunity to develop shared learning opportunities and mutual educational support globally.

My post-graduate research has focused on leadership and organisational culture, and for the last three years it has been a pleasure to teach and facilitate on the College’s leadership programme. 

My vision for the Faculty of Podiatric Medicine is to build and grow an international podiatric learning community based on the same five principles that have governed my career thus far:

Consultation: We need to understand fully the learning needs of our profession at all levels, and we will do that best by listening to them.

Consistency: The Faculty will function optimally when there is a united single focus on our priorities from all members of the Executive Board, and thence from the Fellows, Members and Associates in the Faculty.

Clarity: The purpose of our efforts needs to be clearly articulated and communicated utilising a compelling and accessible narrative.

Collaboration: The opportunity to work together across disciplined and professional boundaries has never been more necessary. The workforce pressures and clinical burden facing each of our professional constituencies can only be alleviated by collaboration.

Creativity: Innovative initiatives are required to improve engagement and bring fresh approaches to delivering the College strategy.

The Faculty has entrusted me with an immense responsibility in electing me as Dean, and I sincerely hope that we can continue to develop our community within the College over the next three years.”

Category: College