Distinguished medical educator, Professor Sandra Nicholson, has been appointed as the Founding Dean of the Three Counties Medical School at the University of Worcester. She will also serve as the University’s Professor of Medical Education.
Professor Sandra Nicholson
Professor Nicholson is currently Professor of Medical Education at Barts and the London School of Dentistry and Medicine, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) where she is Head of the Centre for Medical Education currently leading on Quality Assurance. Prior to this, Professor Nicholson was, for many years, the leader of the Community-based Medical Education programme at Barts.
University of Worcester Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor David Green CBE DL, said: “We are delighted to have appointed Professor Nicholson as the Founding Dean of the Three Counties Medical School at the University of Worcester. She is a most distinguished medical educator and will bring great expertise and energy to this vital endeavour. Our region is so short of medical doctors and health professionals. The successful development of the new graduate entry Medical School in partnership with our NHS Trusts will do inestimable good in the years ahead.”
The University is at stage 5 of the General Medical Council process for gaining accreditation for a new medical school with a crucial visit due at the beginning of August. If successful, the first medical students might begin their courses in September 2022.
A leading medical educator nationally, Professor Nicholson is currently chair of the Association for the Study of Medical Education ASME), which is the country’s leading body supporting research into medical education and its evidence-based improvement. Professor Nicholson has just been re-elected for a further three-year term to this responsibility.
Whilst at Barts QMUL, Professor Nicholson has played a significant role in creating a new medical school located on Gozo, Malta.
Professor Nicholson is a GP who has practised in East London for many years. She also chaired the Board of the University Clinical Aptitude Test for 6 years, which is a key aptitude test for prospective medical students in the UK.
“I’m delighted to accept this position which I see as an amazing opportunity to increase the health provision to the Three Counties area enshrining the University of Worcester’s values of high quality inclusivity, equality and widening participation,” said Professor Nicholson. “When the doors of the medical school open it is our aim that our students will promote the diversification of the medical workforce, work effectively with healthcare professionals, and ensure patient care of the highest standards.”
Professor Nicholson will be re-locating to Worcestershire and will join the University from 1st November.