Brighton medical school appoints leading cancer specialist as new dean
Brighton and Sussex Medical School has appointed a leading cancer specialist as its new dean.
Malcolm Reed will take up the post at BSMS in the autumn, joining from Sheffield University where he is head of the Oncology Department.
He replaces the founding dean Jon Cohen. Professor Cohen stepped down from his post last December.
Sussex University vice-chancellor Michael Farthing said: “We are delighted that Malcolm has agreed to lead the further development of BSMS, which is one of the most successful, popular and highly rated medical schools in the country.
“He is a distinguished clinician, teacher and researcher from another of the UK’s leading medical schools and an experienced senior academic and clinical manager.”
Malcolm Reed
Professor Farthing added: “Malcolm’s clinical academic expertise in cancer surgery will be invaluable as we continue to build our academic capacity and strength in cancer medicine and surgery.
“He is an ideal person to develop the research portfolio of BSMS through closer engagement with researchers in both universities and with clinicians in our partner NHS trusts.”
Brighton University vice-chancellor Julian Crampton said: “I am delighted with the appointment of Professor Reed, who has an outstanding track record both as an academic and as a surgeon.
“He is one of the leading researchers in the field of oncology and has a major interest in the treatment of breast cancer.”
Professor Crampton added: “Professor Reed was an exceptional candidate and I know he is the right person to take the Brighton and Sussex Medical School forward and to build on its achievements to date in what is its tenth anniversary year.
“I wish Professor Reed every success and look forward to working with him in the coming years.”
The new dean qualified in medicine from Sheffield University in 1981.
After postgraduate surgical training in the UK and a period of research at the University of Louisville in Kentucky, he returned to Sheffield for higher surgical training.
He became senior lecturer and honorary consultant in 1992 and was appointed to the Foundation Chair in Surgical Oncology at Sheffield University in 1999.
In 2003 he became head of academic general surgery and is currently head of the university’s Oncology Department.
Professor Reed has a long-standing track record in cancer research, with more than 200 publications.
His main current areas of clinical research relate to the surgical management of breast cancer, with particular emphasis on breast cancer in older women.
His research also covers other important aspects of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment including projects evaluating the variation in the treatment of breast cancer.
He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) and still undertakes clinics and ward rounds as well as carrying out surgical procedures including breast reconstruction and complex soft-tissue sarcoma surgery.
Professor Reed said: “I am delighted to be joining the team at BSMS and look forward to helping the medical school build on its superb achievements during its first ten years.
“I have been impressed by the extremely positive atmosphere and collaboration between the two universities and the NHS trusts and this will help us meet the challenges ahead.
“BSMS graduates report that they are very well prepared for their roles in the NHS and beyond.
“Our aim will be to maintain this high standard and to build on the reputation of the school for excellence in research and teaching.”
BSMS was founded in 2003 and is run jointly by Sussex University and Brighton University in partnership with NHS organisations in the south east.
