MAHSC Honorary Clinical Chairs are celebrated as we invite the audience to hear their professional and personal journeys, clinical and research areas, and plans for the future. This MAHSC Inaugural Lecture welcomed MAHSC Honorary Clinical Chair Professor Emma Vardy, a distinguished Consultant Geriatrician.

The MAHSC Honorary Clinical Chairs are awarded on an annual basis by The University of Manchester’s Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Promotions Committee. They are awarded to individuals from across Greater Manchester who have made a major contribution to their clinical specialty, including excellence in research and education. There are now 86 MAHSC Honorary Clinical Chairs.

With an impressive array of roles, research contributions, and affiliations, Professor Vardy is making a significant impact, particularly in the realm of ageing and frailty. She currently serves as a Consultant Geriatrician and Clinical Frailty and Virtual Ward Lead at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust.

In summing up her career so far, Professor Vardy highlighted a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson that resonated with her: “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail”.

After her medical training, Professor Vardy specialised in geriatric medicine before completing a PhD looking at biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease. After returning to clinical practice, she continued her academic career through a Walport Clinical lecturer in Greater Manchester working on PET imaging studies in dementia.

Since then, Professor Vardy has had the opportunity to pursue a range of clinical and academic interests, including delirium, dementia, and digital and health service delivery. She noted the importance of collaboration, and how meeting new people has influenced and supported her in different ways throughout her career: from mentorship and focus, to career advice and opportunities to showcase her research.

As Professor Vardy candidly shared during her lecture, her journey was not without setbacks, but in hindsight realised how these allowed her to focus on more productive avenues in her career. They led her to where she is today.

Professor Emma Vardy’s impressive career and contributions to geriatric medicine, research, and healthcare innovation are a testament to her dedication and passion for improving the health and well-being of older individuals. Her involvement with MAHSC further highlights her commitment to advancing research and healthcare practices for those who need it most.

Looking ahead, Professor Vardy will continue to work with the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Greater Manchester (ARC-GM), focusing on key areas of interests including delirium, patient safety, dementia and tackling inequalities in health and care. Collaboration is at the heart of her work, and she looks forward to nurturing the next generation of clinicians and researchers.

About MAHSC

One of the key platforms through which Professor Vardy’s work is showcased is through MAHSC. MAHSC is a collaborative partnership between The University of Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust (part of the Northern Care Alliance), and Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. This alliance unites leading healthcare providers with world-class academics and researchers to foster innovation and advancements in healthcare.

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About NIHR ARC-GM

Professor Vardy is the Deputy Lead for Healthy Ageing Research theme with the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Greater Manchester (ARC-GM).

The NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Greater Manchester (ARC-GM) is a partnership between providers and commissioners from the NHS, industry, the third sector and the University of Manchester. It is one of 15 ARCs across England, part of a £135 million investment by the NIHR to improve the health and care of patients and the public. Our remit is to support applied health and care research that responds to and meets the needs of local populations and health and care systems and, to improve the uptake of evidence-based innovation, policies and practices in Greater Manchester and beyond.

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The mission of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research.

They do this by:

• Funding high quality, timely research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care;
• Investing in world-class expertise, facilities and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services;
• Partnering with patients, service users, carers and communities, improving the relevance, quality and impact of our research;
• Attracting, training and supporting the best researchers to tackle complex health and social care challenges;
• Collaborating with other public funders, charities and industry to help shape a cohesive and globally competitive research system;
• Funding applied global health research and training to meet the needs of the poorest people in low and middle income countries.

NIHR is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. Its work in low and middle income countries is principally funded through UK Aid from the UK government.