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Report of the General Board on the establishment of a British Heart Foundation Professorship of Cardiac Surgery

The GENERAL BOARD beg leave to report to the University as follows:

1. Coronary heart disease is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the UK and in the White paper 'Saving Lives: our Healthier Nation', the Government set out its commitment to reducing the death rate from heart disease and related illnesses such as stroke. Recognizing the importance of this field, the University approved the establishment of a Professorship of Cardiovascular Medicine funded by the British Heart Foundation in 1994 and a Professorship in Cardiothoracic Surgery in 2000. To further collaboration and interaction in this area, the Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine created the Cambridge Centre for Cardiovascular and Respiratory Research, which brings together representatives from the Clinical School, University biological science Departments, Papworth Hospital, and the Addenbrooke's NHS Trust.

2. In view of the launch of the Government's ten-year strategy (the National Service Framework on Coronary Heart Disease) and the planned expansion of research at the Addenbrooke's Hospital Site, (as embodied in the '2020 Vision' document) it is a particularly opportune time for further academic development in cardiac surgery. In particular, the Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine consider that it is appropriate to increase its commitment to academic cardiovascular medicine through the establishment of a second Professorship in the field of cardiac surgery. The Professor of Cardiac Surgery would provide leadership in research and teaching in the field of cardiac surgery, building on existing research strengths in the Department of Surgery and at Papworth Hospital. As a teaching hospital associated with the University, Papworth Hospital is an important centre for teaching and research. Papworth Hospital offers major opportunities for the pursuit of clinical and laboratory research in cardiopulmonary disease and surgical developments pertaining to these. In recent years Papworth has acquired major research grants to undertake surgical research and has enhanced its reputation as a leading centre for health technology assessment.

3. The Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine proposed that funding for the Professorship be sought by means of an application to the British Heart Foundation under their scheme for clinical Professorships, whereby funds are provided on a five-year rolling basis to support the full cost of a personal Professorship at a UK university for a named individual, nominated by the institution, together with an allowance for the Professor's support costs. The scheme requires that, as well as an outstanding academic record, any potential candidate should already be in receipt of a BHF Programme Grant or an equivalent level of support from another grant-giving organization.

4. The General Board agreed to appoint a Committee, constituted along the lines of a Board of Electors, to select a University nominee for consideration by the BHF, following advertisement in the Reporter (2000-01, p. 952) and in the national press. The membership of the Committee was as follows: Dr A. J. Munro, CHR, as Chairman; Professor J. A. Bradley; Professor Sir Keith Peters, CHR; Professor J. G. P. Sissons, DAR; Professor A. H. Wyllie, JN; Professor A. Mansfield, St Mary's Hospital, London; Mr F. Wells, Papworth Hospital; Professor J. H. Dark, Cardiothoracic Centre, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle; and Professor P. L. Weissberg, W. The Committee agreed to approve the nomination of Professor B. R. Rosengard, Surgical Director, Heart-Lung Transplantation, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, and, subject to its acceptance by the Foundation, to propose the establishment of a British Heart Foundation Professorship of Cardiac Surgery for his tenure.

5. The British Heart Foundation has recently informed the Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine that, consequent on international peer review through its Chairs and Programme Grants Committee, the nomination has been approved and that funding for the proposed Professorship, if established by the University, together with support costs, will be provided for five years in the first instance from 1 October 2002, continued thereafter, subject to five-yearly reviews. The Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine have agreed to meet the cost of the Professorship for the remainder of Professor Rosengard's tenure in the event of the Foundation terminating its funding for the Professorship. The prime clinical base will be at Papworth NHS Trust; the Trust has agreed to provide access to beds and clinical facilities and to award an Honorary Consultant contract to the Professor. Appropriate Honorary NHS status will be arranged at Addenbrooke's NHS Trust. The General Board have ascertained that Professor Rosengard is willing to accept appointment to the Professorship, if established. The Board have accordingly agreed to propose the establishment of a British Heart Foundation Professorship of Cardiac Surgery for Professor Rosengard and its assignment to the Department of Surgery from 1 October 2002.

6. The General Board recommend:

I. That a British Heart Foundation Professorship of Cardiac Surgery be established in the University for one tenure from 1 October 2002, placed in Schedule B of the Statutes, and assigned to the Department of Surgery.

II. That Professor B. R. Rosengard, Surgical Director, Heart-Lung Transplantation, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, be appointed to the Professorship.

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Cambridge University Reporter,
Copyright © 2002 The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge.