Who is the New India of the Royal College of Physicians – Indian President Dr. Mumtaz Patel, fifth lady in the position

Dr. Mumtaz Patel was elected the 123rd President of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), a highly-profile role in the UK medical professional membership, representing 40,000 members worldwide. Born in Lancashire, northwest England, Dr. Patel is an immigrant Indian parent and a consultant nephrologist in Manchester. The RCP welcomed her as the “first Asian Muslim President of India” and the fifth woman, leading the group of doctors dating back to the 16th century.

Voting for the presidential race ended Monday, with the official start date of her four-year term not yet confirmed.

“As President, I will lead RCP to be the best organization and support our members at every career stage to provide the best health care for our patients,” Patel said.

“I will bring passion, commitment, vision, value-driven approach and over 20 years of RCP experience,” she said.

Ms. Patel serves as the senior examiner of RCP and vice-chair of education and training, and has also served as president since June 2024. As Chairman of the RCP Committee and Become a Board Member.

“Dr. Patel takes this crucial role when this university is full of challenges and I am confident in her ability to have the integrity of leadership, rebuild trust among our members and restore the shine to this outstanding college,” said Dr. Diana Walford CBE, Chairman of the RCP Board.

“I look forward to working with Dr. Patel in the next chapter of the RCP history… The Board will do everything possible to support Dr. Patel’s work to lead and modernize our university,” she said.

Ms. Patel has long ties to the organization and has served in various educational roles including Director of Training Programs and Regional Consultants.

She has also served as Deputy Dean of Graduate Students in the Northwest Region of the National Health Service (NHS) England and is considered to have established a good track record in education, training, assessment and research.

According to the RCP, kidney experts design and offer several education and leadership courses in the UK and internationally and are actively involved in evaluating experienced examiners.

“We look forward to working with her to improve the status, support and career prospects of early career physicians. We can ensure that the next generation of physicians empowers the next generation of physicians in the ever-changing health care landscape.”

Dr. Patel competes on the platform of modernizing organizations and rebuilds RCP as “our membership and medical voice.”

“It is undeniable that Dr. Mumtaz Patel has a huge task in front of her. We urge Dr. Patel to acknowledge the demographic reality that most patients will be older and they need holistic, people-centered care provided by multifaceted and multidisciplinary teams,” said Professor Jugdeep DeSi, UK, UK.

“The president must show strong and decisive leadership to drive real change and ensure that the health system begins to work more effectively for the people who use the most,” he said.

(This story has not been edited by DNA staff and published from PTI).