Leicester City legend becomes patron of Cardiac Surgery Research group
Leicester City Football Club’s ambassador and former player, Alan Birchenall MBE, has become the patron for the Leicester Cardiac Surgery Research Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) group.
Headed by Professor Gavin Murphy from our Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, the Cardiac Surgery Research PPI group is a partnership between the University of Leicester, Leicester’s Hospitals, members of the public and patient volunteers.
The aim of the PPI group is to review applications for new heart surgery studies, suggest areas for future research, attend public events, engage with social networking, and help promote Glenfield Hospital as a centre for excellence for life-saving research.
Professor Murphy said: “We are honoured that Alan has accepted the position of patron of the Leicester Cardiac Surgery Research PPI Group. His first-hand experience of our services, together with his charity work campaigning for defibrillators in public places, means that Alan is perfect for the role.
“By making public and patient participation part of our research strategy we will ensure that our research best reflects the needs and concerns of the community it aims to help."
For more information about the Cardiac Surgery Research PPI group and for details of Professor Murphy’s public lectures, contact Sue Page on sp504@le.ac.uk