Honorary Professor to deliver prestigious Harveian Oration
Professor John Feehally
John Feehally, Honorary Professor of Renal Medicine at the University of Leicester, will deliver the prestigious 2025 Harveian Oration later this month.
First established in 1656 by William Harvey, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) continues the tradition annually by inviting a leading doctor or scientist to speak on issues of lasting importance in their field.
Professor Feehally will deliver the lecture, entitled ‘Nephrology – an exciting journey from birth to maturity’ on October 21 at the RCP’s regional headquarters in Liverpool.
He said: “It’s an immense honour and privilege to be invited to deliver the Harveian Oration. In doing so I walk in the footsteps of many distinguished physicians and scientists, so I look forward to discussing the field to which I have dedicated my professional life.
“My oration will highlight the transformation of nephrology since 1950 when there were no effective treatments for kidney disease to the present day, where treatment of kidney diseases is established and effective, prolonging and transforming the lives of many kidney patients.
“I will show how the specialty emerged despite many vicissitudes, built on a powerful research base and innovative clinical technology, and how the early ‘giants’ of nephrology who ensured its success were model physicians.
“For nephrology to be the subject of this year’s Oration is a significant milestone. As a smaller specialty and a relative latecomer, it is good to bring nephrology to the centre of attention of the RCP and the wider medical community.”
Nephrologists are experts in kidney health and disease, helping to diagnose, monitor and treat acute and chronic kidney disease.Professor Feehally was formerly a consultant nephrologist and professor of renal medicine in Leicester. His main clinical and research interests were in glomerulonephritis, especially IgA nephropathy, and in the impact of ethnicity on kidney disease.
He was an editor for six editions of ‘Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology’ and has been President of the Renal Association and Chair of Kidney Research UK. He was also President of the International Society of Nephrology, and Chair of its Global Outreach programmes.
The Harveian Oration is so called because the annual lecture was established in 1656 at the RCP by William Harvey, the discoverer of the systemic circulation of blood. The Oration honours his legacy and enables leading physicians to bring their specialist expertise to a wider audience.
Professor Jon Barratt, who leads the Mayer IgA Nephropathy Research Group at the University of Leicester, said: “It is a huge honour to be asked to deliver the Harveian Oration and testament to the dedication and commitment of Professor Feehally’s work to transform the lives of patients who require kidney care. We’re immensely proud of him.”