Visiting Professors at the School of Medicine

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Visiting Professors

Professor Tony Gallagher

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Professor Tony Gallagher

Dr. Anthony Gerald is currently Director of Research and Learning at the ORSI robotic surgery academy in Melle, Belgium and Visiting Professor at KU Leuven in Belgium (Faculty of Medicine).

Before that he was Director of Research and Professor of Technology Enhanced Learning in the ASSERT Centre, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Ireland. He completed a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Psychology (1984 -1988) at the University of Ulster at Jordanstown in Northern Ireland and his Ph.D. in Psychology at the Trinity College Dublin (1989 – 1992). In 2008/9 he was the First Trust-University of Ulster Distingished Graduate and in 2013 he was awarded his D.Sc. He was the first academic from Ireland to be awarded a Fulbright Distinguished Scholarship and worked with Prof. Richard Satava in the Dept. of Surgery at Yale University (2000 – 2001).

In 2011 along with his colleague Prof. Gerry O’Sullivan (University College Cork) he completed an authored book, Fundamentals of Surgical Simulation; Principles and Practices. Over the last 25 years he has developed and validated a proficiency based progression.

Professor Philip Gardiner

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Professor Philip Gardiner

I work as a Rheumatologist and Physician in Altnagelvin hospital, Derry/Londonderry. Among my educational roles over the years I have been an undergraduate course organiser, Postgraduate Tutor, NIMDTA Training Program Director for Rheumatology, RCP Specialty Regional Advisor and BSR Regional Chair for N. Ireland.

My interest in research was kindled in 1988-1990 when I researched the Pulmonary Complications of Primary Sjögren's Syndrome in Newcastle Upon Tyne, leading to an MD thesis. Since then my research interests have focused on biomarkers and outcome measures in rheumatology. I have collaborated with the UU Intelligent Systems Research Centre in several projects over the past decade. This began with a project to develop and test a digital glove to measure joint movement in patients with arthritis, and more recently I have led an international programme of research to investigate the reliability of IMU sensor technology in measuring spinal mobility. This project involving researchers in London, Dublin and Spain, has resulted in a new validated digital outcome tool for spinal mobility in axial spondyloarthritis. My collaboration with the Stratified Medicine group in the Clinical Translational Research and Innovation Centre(C-TRIC) has led to active research projects relating to genetic biomarkers for arthritis, dry spot CRP tests, and genomics studies with Genomics Medicine Ireland.

Professor Dermott Hughes

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Professor Dermott Hughes

Dermot qualified in Medicine in 1982 (QUB) with the McGrath Clinical Scholarship for surgery. He undertook training in diagnostic histopathology in Northern Ireland and in the USA, at George Washington University Hospital DC and The National Cancer Institute Bethesda, Maryland. He was appointed Consultant Pathologist to the Western Health and Social Care Board in 1989. He has been Clinical Director of Laboratory Services, Undergraduate Lead for Pathology Education, Clinical Lead for Cancer Services in the Western Trust, Medical Director of the Northern Ireland Cancer Network and Medical Director of the Western HSC Trust. He retired in in 2019 but still works in Clinical Governance and Professional Governance. His Key achievements were expansion of Undergraduate Medical Education at the WHSCT to facilitate 3^rd, 4^th and Final Year students on site. His work in Cancer Care saw development of comprehensive cancer services in the North West and introduction of radiotherapy. As Medical Director of the Cancer Network he developed multidisciplinary care and embedded expert patients in development and assurance of cancer services, through Peer Review.

He would bring experience of working with diverse stakeholders, in developing medical education and clinical services locally, regionally and on a cross border basis.

Professor Tony Stevens

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Professor Tony Stevens

Tony has held senior leadership roles within Health and Social Care for over 20 years. He was Chief Executive of the Northern Trust between 2014 and 2020, driving significant organisational change, through the development of leaders at every level, by encouraging innovative thinking in service and quality improvement and a focus on good governance.

He has played an active role on the steering group for the graduate entry medical school at UU, while also leading regionally on the introduction of physician associates to the NI workforce.

Tony was previously part of the leadership team that oversaw the establishment of the Belfast HSC Trust, from the merger of six preexisting organisations. He became medical director in 2007. His focus was on developing effective systems of governance, clinical leadership and academic excellence.

Before moving into full time leadership and management roles, Tony practiced clinically and academically as an occupational physician.

He is a past national president of the Society of Occupational Medicine and trustee of the NHS Confederation. Regional roles have included the chair of the NI Confederation, the NI Diabetes Network and the Regional Bereavement Network Board.

Tony’s interests include leadership in healthcare, organisational governance and risk management. He is also enthusiastic about the role that the arts can play in health and wellbeing.

He received an OBE in the 2020.

Professor Mark Taylor

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Professor Mark Taylor

Prof Mark A Taylor CStJ PhD FRCSI FRCS(Eng) FRCS(Gen Surg) is a Consultant HPB Surgeon at the Mater Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. He trained in Belfast and at the Regional HPB and Transplant Unit in Edinburgh. His Doctorate of Philosophy was in the pathophysiology of obstructive jaundice. He is the President of GBI Hepato-pancreato-biliary Association (GBIHPBA), President of the Pancreatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland (PSGBI), Executive Council Member of Upper Gastro- Intestinal Surgeons (AUGIS) and on the Medical Advisory Board of Bowel Cancer UK. In 2016, he was appointed by the Health Minister to an independent Expert panel tasked with Reconfiguration of Health and Social care in Northern Ireland.

In 2017 he was appointed to the Transformation Implementation Group (TIG) Department of Health, Northern Ireland. In 2018 he was appointed the Director of Professional Affairs (NI) for the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He has published extensively in the field of Hepatobiliary Surgery. In June 2019 he was promoted to Commander of The Most Venerable Order of Hospital of John (CStJ) by her Majesty, The Queen. He is passionate about innovation, change and collective leadership within the HSCNI. He is a Trustee of St. John Ambulance and a keen cyclist.

Professor John Wong

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Professor John Wong

A Graduate and Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Mr John Wong did his Orthopaedic Residency in both Southern and Northern Ireland followed by a Fellowship in Paediatric Orthopaedics at Children’s Hospital, Buffalo, New York.

He is a Consultant Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon at Altnagelvin Hospital, where he has been practicing for the past twenty years. He is active in Undergraduate and Postgraduate Teaching. He runs the Instructional Courses of the Irish Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, of which he is the immediate Past President.

A member of the Scientific Committee of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, a reviewer for several journals including ‘The Surgeon’, nominated ‘Top Reviewer’ for European ‘Foot and Ankle Surgery’ Journal, he retains a strong commitment to clinical and basic science Research with over 50 peer-reviewed publications in International journals.

His indefatigable passion and zest for work has inspired many trainees to follow his footsteps. He is involved in developing the ‘Centre for Orthopaedic and Rheumatic Health’ in the North-West. Career goals include establishing ‘Patient Reported Outcomes Measures’ and a ‘Diabetic Foot Service’ in the Western Trust. His extensive experience of Orthopaedic teaching and research, incorporated with these important goals, will add new dimensions to University of Ulster NIGEMS.

Dr Gareth Morrison

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Dr Gareth Morrison

Assessment Development Lead, Ulster University Graduate Entry Medical School
Consultant in Anaesthetics and Intensive Care Medicine, Antrim Hospital
Medical Educationalist, College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland

Gareth Morrison graduated from the University of Aberdeen with MB ChB awarded with Commendation and completed his postgraduate medical training in NI.

He is an examiner for membership and fellowship anaesthesiology examinations and is the lead examiner for both single best answer questions and quality assurance. Gareth is also a member of the examinations committee and a medical educationalist for the College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland. He has made substantial changes to the conduct and analysis of their examinations.

Gareth is a trainer recognized by the GMC and an educational supervisor for anaesthesia trainees. He has designed and developed two very successful courses. The ‘acute care course for adults (ACCA)’ prepares newly qualified foundation doctors for managing acutely unwell patients. ‘Standardized Critical care Resuscitation and Emergency Airway Management (SCREAM)’ is a multi-professional course for intensive care health professionals to enhance non-technical skills and patient safety during common emergencies. These innovations have resulted in numerous prizes including the teaching innovation and excellence award by ASME, Dr Mary Lehane Medal and the President’s award of the Royal College of Anaesthetists for outstanding achievement.

Gareth is an instructor on numerous courses including advanced life support (medical director), challenging airways, acute life-threatening events recognition and treatment, simulated retrieval and transfer course, and safe sedation.

His interests clinically include high-risk colorectal anaesthesia, sepsis, antimicrobial chemotherapy and toxicology.

Professor Kathryn Burnett

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Professor Kathryn Burnett

Professor Kathryn Burnett has been a registered pharmacist for 34 years. After practicing in both the community and secondary care for many years, she was appointed to the post of Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice for the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in September 2008. She is the School Academic Lead for Education, and the MPharm Course Director and Admissions Tutor.

Kathryn was seconded to the School of Medicine team in 2017, as Programme Development Lead, in recognition of the experience that she has gained in designing, developing and delivering new programmes, including those with Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body accreditation requirements.

As Academic Lead for Education within the School, Kathryn is responsible for developing and monitoring the implementation of the School’s Education strategies relating to delivery of the Strategic Plan 5&50, TEF metrics, and the School’s academic plan. She takes the lead on the development, delivery and quality enhancement of innovative curricula.

Working under the direction of the Head of School, and in collaboration with the Associate Dean (Education) and the Provosts, she has responsibility to ensure that appropriate infrastructure is in place to promote a vibrant and stimulating learning environment, and to work with the Students Union and staff to foster a culture that views students as partners. She also supports and leads on staff HEA accreditation in the School.

Research interests

Current research interests include looking at appropriate dispensing and prescribing practices to ensure optimal patient outcomes, including the use of automation in MDSs, and the appropriateness of prescribing practices generally and in antimicrobials specifically.

These interests are in collaboration with the Western Health and Social Care Trust, the Northern Health and Social Care Trust and the Health and Social Care Board.

Professor Mike Larvin

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Professor Mike Larvin

Professor Mike Larvin graduated from Guy’s, London in 1981. He gained an MD from the University of Leeds and a Hunterian Professorship from the Royal College of Surgeons. Completing surgical training in Leeds, Germany and the USA he was appointed Consultant to University Hospital Lewisham and Guy’s Senior Lecturer in 1993.

Returning to Leeds in 1996 he helped pioneer theatre team training at Leeds Institute of Minimally Invasive Therapy and as Director of Surgery.

In 2002 he became President of the Pancreatic Society and joined Nottingham University as Professor of Surgery, founding the Regional Bariatric Service.

In 2008 he became Education Director at the Royal College of Surgeons, developing distance learning and the NHS Surgical e-Library. He gained an Education Masters from the University of London in 2007.

In 2012 he became Head of Limerick Graduate Entry Medical School and was a member of the Nursing & Midwifery Board and Board of the Irish Network of Medical Educators, and foundation Chair of the Irish Medical School Council.

He is also Emeritus Professor at the University of Limerick.

Since 2017 he has been Dean of Perdana University – RCSI Medical School, Kuala Lumpur. Professor Larvin has advised on new medical school developments in Nottingham, Limerick, Kosovo, Luxemburg, UAE and Ulster University.

Professor Barry Kelly

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Professor Barry Kelly

Professor Barry E. Kelly MD FRCSEd FRCR FFRRCSI qualified from QUB in 1984.

His initial training and qualification were in surgery. He subsequently moved into radiology and was appointed as consultant radiologist to the Belfast Trust in 1995. He was Dean of the Faculty of radiologists, RCSI (2012-2014) and Editor of the Ulster Medical Journal (2011- 2015). His radiological interests include imaging in acute medicine, surgery, trauma and the ICU environment.

In Europe, his work with the European Society of Radiology entailed collaboration with the World Health Organisation; the International Atomic Energy Agency; the European Commission and the Heads of the European Radiation Protection Competent Authorities, to establish governance in, and standards for, radiation protection.

As a resolute advocate for professional examinations in establishing the highest medical standards, he has been radiological examiner for the Royal Colleges both in Ireland and the UK. Furthermore, in Europe he helped design, implement and examine in the European Diploma of Radiology, the Pan European metric for professional excellence.

His other professional interests include Burnout, Resilience and the increasing problem of the Doctor in Difficulty. Beyond medicine he is passionate about dialogue within the public and civic arenas about matters medical, scientific and philosophical.

Professor Jim Kelly

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Professor Jim Kelly

Professor Kelly graduated in Medicine MB BCH BAO from Queen’s University, Belfast, in 1981. After general internal medicine and geriatric medicine specialist training, he achieved membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP UK) in 1984 and was awarded MD by thesis at Queen’s University Belfast in 1988 for his research. He was appointed Consultant Geriatrician at the Erne Hospital Enniskillen in 1988.

He specialised in in stroke care and established the first Acute Stroke Unit in Ireland in 1992. He is currently a member of the NI Regional Stroke Network Planning Group.

Professor Kelly has held the posts of Trust Clinical Lead, Clinical Director and Medical Director and was Clinical Lead for the Acute South West Hospital Project with successful commissioning in June 2012. He is currently Chairman of Medical Staff for the South West Acute and Omagh Hospital.

Professor Kelly has been active in education and training throughout his career. He is a GMC approved trainer and is a member of the WHCST Education Committee. He is an Honorary Lecturer at QUB, and a site lead for the Undergraduate Age & Aging Module. He is a Supervisor on the Ulster University Physician Associate Programme.

Professor Kelly maintains his research interest and is currently site lead for a number of ongoing clinical trials in stroke, diabetes and dementia.

Professor Mark Sheridan

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Professor Mark Sheridan

Mark Sheridan graduated with Distinction in Medicine from Belfast and trained in Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) in the UK, Germany & the Netherlands, and is a Consultant Anaesthetist in County Antrim.

Interested in leadership, team dynamics, and mental resilience in healthcare, with unusually extensive experience of pre-hospital care in austere settings, having designed and led exercises and teams worldwide, he has worked on the ground and on aeromed evacuation in the Balkans, Middle East and Central Asia. A trained lawyer, and the first doctor appointed to the staff of the UK flagship strategic leadership college in London, enabling training for senior officials from some 60 countries, he speaks frequently at meetings and courses on leadership and team cohesion, and sits on Ulster University’s Research Ethics Committee.

Divisional Surgeon for St John Ambulance since 1994, and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Belfast, he spent many enjoyable years working in Derry, and retains close working relationships in the North West, and across Ireland. He believes passionately that the North could be an exemplar in healthcare, and that broader life experience builds better doctors - he is proud to be part of NIGEMS. He believes that NHS transformation is essential, and should enhance the lives of staff and students whilst delivering better outcomes for people here.

Professor David Stewart

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Professor David Stewart

Professor David Stewart is the Lead Clinical Oncologist at the North West Cancer Centre. Professor Stewart completed his undergraduate training at Queen’s University Belfast and graduated with a BSc In Biochemistry and MB BCh BAO . Dr Stewart did his postgraduate training in Clinical Oncology in London at Charing Cross, Hammersmith and Mount Vernon Hospitals.

He also did fellowships at the Vrije University, Amsterdam and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne. He was a Consultant at the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre prior to taking up his Clinical Lead post at the North West Cancer Centre. He was the Clinical Advisor from 2011-2016 prior to the centre opening. It was a great privilege to be involved in the North West Cancer Centre from the beginning and he now looks forward to his new role as Visiting Professor at the Ulster University Medical School.

Professor Stewart is a GMC recognised trainer and currently teaches junior doctors and oncology trainees in Altnagelvin hospital. He looks forward to incorporating the Royal College Of Radiologists Non-Surgical Oncology Curriculum into the undergraduate course and teaching medical students at the Cancer Centre.

Research interests include PET/CT/MRI in radiotherapy treatment planning and clinical trials in Prostate, Bladder and Head and Neck Cancers.

Visiting Professors at the School of Medicine

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