Latest news

ARC team welcomes Dame Lesley Regan as she receives honorary degree from Newcastle University

Colleagues from the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria’s Supporting Children, Women and Family Health (SCWF) theme welcomed Dame Lesley Regan to Newcastle University last week as she received an honorary degree in recognition of her outstanding contribution to women’s health.

The honorary degree was nominated by SCWF Theme Lead, Professor Judith Rankin OBE, in recognition of Dame Lesley’s leadership and lasting impact on women’s health.

The visit provided an opportunity to celebrate her achievements, strengthen new and existing partnerships, and showcase the wide range of women’s health research and innovation taking place across the North East and North Cumbria.

Dr Ryc Aquino, Dr Angela Wearn and Dr Kerry Brennan-Tovey from the NIHR ARC North East and North Cumbria met with Dame Lesley during her visit, to highlight the important work being led and supported by ARC North East and North Cumbria to improve the health and wellbeing of women, children and families.

They discussed a wide range of work, including the ARC NENC’s recent evaluation of the Sunderland Women’s Health Hub, research around widening access to cervical screening, and work to support perinatal mental health.

‘Lasting connections’

Dr Kerry Brennan Tovey, Research Fellow within the ARC’s Supporting Women, Children and Family Health theme, said: “It was a great afternoon, with lasting connections made while showcasing some of the great work the ARC NENC is involved in in women’s health. We shared how the theme will continue to drive this work forward in the coming years and continue to nurture the relationship with Dame Lesley Regan.”

Dame Lesley Regan is an internationally respected leader in obstetrics and gynaecology and has made significant contributions to clinical practice, research, education and policy throughout her career. She was the first woman appointed as a Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Imperial College London and went on to establish the Recurrent Miscarriage Clinic at St Mary’s Hospital. The clinic developed into the world’s largest miscarriage referral service, helping to improve care and outcomes for women and families.

Dame Lesley also served as President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, becoming only the second woman to hold the role since the College was founded in 1929. During her presidency, she co-chaired the National Women’s Health Taskforce and authored the influential Better for Women report, which championed a life-course approach to women’s healthcare.

In 2022, Dame Lesley was appointed as England’s first Women’s Health Ambassador. In this national role, she advocates for the implementation of the Women’s Health Strategy, working to address gender inequalities in healthcare and improve health services for women across the country.

Pictured L-R: Dr Ryc Aquino, Dr Angela Wearn, Dame Lesley Regan, Dr Kerry Brennan-Tovey