UK’s Chief Medical Officer honoured by University of Leicester

One of the most pivotal figures in the UK’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic has been honoured by the University of Leicester.

The University has awarded the degree of honorary Doctorate of Science to Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England, the UK government’s Chief Medical Adviser and head of the public health profession. He received his honorary degree at the University’s graduation ceremony today [Thursday 17 July] before an audience of graduating students.

Professor Chris Whitty said: “It is a great privilege to be awarded this honorary degree by the University of Leicester, which does so much outstanding work in medical research and training.”

Professor Whitty is an epidemiologist and has undertaken research and worked as a doctor in the UK, Africa and Asia. He was Professor of Public and International Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) before becoming CMO and remains an honorary professor.

He was the Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) from January 2016 to August 2021, with overall responsibility for the department’s research and development, including being head of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the government’s major funder of clinical, public health, social care and translational research.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chris arose to national prominence for the leading role he played in the national response. As Chief Medical Officer, he played a key role co-chairing the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) committee and provided crucial guidance for the nation through his appearances in the government’s televised briefings.

Professor Whitty was the interim Government Chief Scientific Adviser from 2017 to 2018, including during the Novichok poisonings. Before that, he was the Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department for International Development (DFID), which included leading technical work on the West Africa Ebola outbreak and other international emergencies.

A practising NHS Consultant Physician at University College London Hospitals (UCLH) and the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Professor Whitty is also a visiting professor at Gresham College.

Professor Nishan Canagarajah, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, said: “Professor Whitty was one of the most recognisable faces of the Covid-19 response here in the UK, representing the medical community with authority, integrity and professionalism. Much of his career has been devoted to informing and guiding health policy at the highest levels of government, helping to improve the lives and wellbeing of the UK and beyond. He is a true Citizen of Change, and an inspiration to our graduates as they look towards the next stage of their professional lives.”