Professor Thomas Lüscher M.D., F.R.C.P. has been appointed director of education, research and development at Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust effective 1 October 2017.
Professor Lüscher joins the Trust from the University Hospital Zurich, where he is head of the University Heart Center and chair of cardiology.
Lüscher is well-known in Europe and beyond for his research in many areas of cardiovascular medicine, and for his work with the European Society of Cardiology and his custodianship of the Society’s flagship journal, European Heart Journal. Since taking over the helm in 2009, he has worked to reposition the publication as the top journal in cardiovascular medicine worldwide. He will continue to edit the journal from his new base in London.
In addition to playing a pivotal role in Royal Brompton & Harefield’s research, education and development programmes, Professor Lüscher will assume a clinical role as consultant in cardiology. He will continue to run the Center for Molecular Cardiology in Zurich and the Zurich Heart House Foundation for Cardiovascular Research, with a view to establishing collaborations in the UK.
Commenting on his appointment, Professor Lüscher said: “Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals, and Imperial College London, are at the forefront of new trials, technology and treatments that have real benefits for patients. I am greatly looking forward to establishing a new educational programme, including an annual meeting in London to present the latest developments in cardiology, new post-graduate courses and collaborations with a number of other larger centres on registries and trials.”
Welcoming Professor Lüscher to the Trust, Dr Richard Grocott-Mason, medical director, said: “Thomas brings a wealth of expertise in cardiovascular disease to the Trust. He has a real understanding of how research can bring about tangible benefits for patients with heart disease.
“He will provide a real boost to cardiovascular research and education in the Trust, and I am very excited and much looking forward to working with him.”
The Trust is the leading NHS centre for cardio-respiratory research, with an international reputation. The work of our research teams ranges from genetic sequencing to large patient studies and clinical trials.
The Trust is also part of Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC), in partnership with Imperial College London, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.