RSM members named as influential minority ethnic health leaders

Four RSM members, representing diverse fields in healthcare, have been named in a recently published list of most influential Black, Asian and minority ethnic health leaders. Published by HSJ, the prominent UK journal for healthcare leaders, the list is sponsored by the NHS Race & Health Observatory.

Dr Farzana Hussain is a GP at The Project Surgery in Newham in the heart of east London. As clinical director of Newham Central 1 PCN (primary care network) she plays a key leadership role in the development of strategic plans to improve the quality and effectiveness of primary care services for patients in her community. During the pandemic Dr Hussain has worked to combat vaccine misinformation, particularly among the British Bangladeshi community, including as a contributor to the RSM’s vaccine trust campaign.

Professor Lord Ajay Kakkar is a distinguished surgeon and medical researcher with interests including the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolic diseases and the role of antithrombotic therapy in extending life in cancer patients. In 2020 he chaired a session on cardiovascular complications and the role of thrombosis during the RSM’s international COVID-19 conference. Lord Kakkar was appointed chair of King’s Health Partners earlier this year, is a mentor for the NHS Innovation Accelerator and a board member of the NHS Race and Health Observatory.

Professor Bee Wee is national clinical director for end of life care at NHS England and Improvement. Clinical lead in palliative care at two hospices and at Oxford University Hospitals Foundation Trust, she is also an associate professor at Oxford University. Professor Wee led the development of an e-learning programme for end of life care which was commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care, and is available free of charge to all health and social care professionals across England. In 2020 she was awarded a CBE for her work.

Dr Kamran Abbasi, editor of the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, was also recognised by the HSJ. Follow this link to read a previously published article on the RSM website.