Dr Cathryn Edwards, consultant physician and gastroenterologist who joined Torbay Hospital in 2002 has today been announced as the first female registrar for the Royal College of Physicians – the first woman to hold the post in over 500 years.
The role of registrar at the Royal College of Physicians is a key leadership position and one of national importance in healthcare.
This is not the first time that Dr Edwards has been a trailblazer in terms of gender equality in medicine, having been the first female secretary of the British Society of Gastroenterology and its second only female president.
Dr Edwards said: “I am delighted and honoured to be accepting the role of registrar at the Royal College of Physicians. I look forward to working with members and Fellows throughout the regions, to shape the identity and skills of our future physician community.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues across Torbay and South Devon for their unstinting support and encouragement.”
Liz Davenport, Chief Executive, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are extremely proud of Cathryn’s appointment to this auspicious position. She has been a part of our Torbay and South Devon family for nearly twenty years and is a much-valued colleague and clinical leader.
“On a personal note, it is also heartening to see our commitment to equality of opportunity exemplified in Cathryn’s achievements.”
