A fantastic distinction, Alasdair has had the title of Honorary Professor of Medical Education, University of Sheffield conferred upon him by the President and Vice Chancellor of the university, and will run until 30 September 2025.
Speaking about the accolade, Alasdair said: “I am honoured to receive this award, which positively reflects upon the work across Education and Research the Trust has achieved in partnership with the University of Sheffield.
“We have a wonderfully collaborative relationship with our colleagues at the University of Sheffield, and I hope this will only strengthen in the years to come – ensuring we provide the very best learning environment for our students, as well as ensure we continue to offer a supportive setting for research, ultimately for the benefit of the local and regional NHS.”
Professor Strachan joined Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) in 1994, when he first joined us as a trainee anaesthetist as part of the South Yorkshire Anaesthetic Training School, leading to him securing a consultant post in 2000.
In between his usual duties, Alasdair undertook a number of educational and mentoring roles within the organisation, regionally and nationally, helping to set-up the Montagu Clinical Simulation Centre in 2003, and in 2014 was appointed Director of Education. With the support of colleagues, Alasdair helped to further establish this team, and in just two short years, the Trust attained Teaching Hospital status – a magnificent achievement which owed much to his vision and leadership.
Since that time, the Trust’s educational approach has only gone from strength to strength, with partnership agreements put in place with local schools, colleges and universities to ensure we have a robust pipeline of talent coming into the Trust at all times, as well as the organisation of our We Care Into the Future event – the second of which was held earlier this year, and attracted thousands of local young people to consider a career within health and social care.
Most recently, Alasdair has added the Research team to his portfolio, and, again, this service continues to develop, expand and support ground-breaking studies with implications for the wider NHS.
The Director of Education and Research will retire in November 2022, however Alasdair will keep up this honorary role.
The award of Honorary Professor title at the University of Sheffield is determined through a robust application process that considers an individual’s collaboration with the University, focussing on academic contributions in the areas of research, teaching, leadership and professional standing.
Professor Michelle Marshall, Professor of Medical Education at University of Sheffield, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Alasdair has been awarded the Honorary Title of Professor of Medical Education by the University of Sheffield. This is in recognition of his collaborative work with colleagues in medical education and across the Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health where he has helped to shape the training of doctors and health care professionals over many years.
“In particular, his contributions to our expansion of medical student places, that focus on widening access to medicine, alongside his work on preparing students in later years for clinical practice, has been highly valued and the award of this title acknowledges this; he is a most worthy recipient.”
Professor Strachan was also the recipient of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals’ first ever Lifetime Achievement award at the organisation’s Annual Star Awards, which took place at the Doncaster Dome on 25 October.
