A festive message from our President and Chief Executive
What a year it has been – again! We're immensely grateful to everyone who has contributed to the success of the Royal Society of Medicine in 2022. Our historic society continues to go from strength to strength.
Our education programme is truly world leading and we welcomed new members from 63 countries this year. Wherever you are in the world and however you are marking this time of year, we wish you a well-deserved rest, whatever that may mean for you.
As we look back over the past 12 months, it’s quite incredible how far we have come. In the UK, we began the year contending with Omicron, feeling once again like everything was on hold. We’re truly grateful – and more than a little relieved - that conditions have improved sufficiently that we've been able to once more open the doors of our wonderful home here in central London to so many members and guests.
Many of you have visited for the first time. Others have been frequenting 1 Wimpole St for years or even decades. As we walk through the building now, it is bustling with life. People are eating in the restaurant and catching up with old acquaintances and friends over coffee. Many more people are attending events in person and enjoying those encounters. That said, we continue to embrace the new opportunities afforded to us by digital technologies, which have opened up RSM membership and our leading medical education to a much broader audience across the globe.
We are very proud to be an international organisation. Healthcare is, by its nature, universal. The pandemic showed us that healthcare and threats to health do not obey borders. And, so, it is vital that we continue to have a global perspective to our education and, in turn, to learn from our global community. Whether you have attended one event or 20 this year, visited our library, accessed our learning resources or used our club facilities, we hope you have valued being a member of the RSM; we've certainly valued having you.
We are extremely excited about what 2023 has to offer. Our incredible section presidents and volunteers, along with our wonderful staff here at the RSM, have once again put together an impressive and highly relevant programme of education and public engagement events. We very much hope you will get involved. Special thanks must go to all those staff who work so hard to deliver all the services on offer to our members.
We would also like to thank all those who have supported the RSM in different ways this year. Our charitable work would not be possible without the generous support of those who donate their money, time and energy to the RSM.
Once again, we'd like to wish you all a peaceful and restful break, whenever that may come for you. We at the RSM look forward to welcoming you in 2023.
Professor Roger Kirby and Michele Acton offer their warmest wishes to all those who are part of the Royal Society of Medicine community.