The Hull York Medical School, which opens in October 2003, has appointed Professor Bill Gillespie as its first Dean.

Previously Dean of the Dunedin School of Medicine at the University of Otago in New Zealand, Professor Gillespie took up his new position in March.

He has had a career in orthopaedic surgery in Britain, New Zealand and Australia and has taught at the Universities of Edinburgh, Otago (New Zealand) and Newcastle (in New South Wales, Australia). He became Dean of Dunedin School of Medicine in 1998.

As the first Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery in the Christchurch School of Medicine at the University of Otago, and at the University of Newcastle, Professor Gillespie gained experience in developing programmes for new medical schools and in encouraging doctors to develop teaching roles alongside their clinical duties.

Professor Bill Gillespie

He also has considerable experience of working in medical schools on multiple sites and of managing the interface between universities and health systems.

Professor Gillespie has also been a key participant in the Cochrane research collaboration, an international group with a worldwide reputation for health research.

Professor Gillespie said: ‘It is a great privilege to have been appointed to this post. There is lots to do, and it won’t always be easy. Success will have been built on the vision and energy of the people in North and East Yorkshire and South Humber who have worked to get the Medical School established, and who continue to prepare for the first students in less than two years from now.’

Professor David Drewry, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hull, said: ‘Professor Gillespie comes to HYMS with an outstanding record of performance as Dean of the prestigious medical school at the University of Otago, Dunedin. His experience will ensure an excellent start to the School.’

Professor Gillespie, who is 61, is married with two children. His research has focused on musculoskeletal infection and on the long-term outcomes of joint replacement. He has also been involved in clinical trials and systematic review. In his spare time he enjoys walking and golf.

At full strength, the Hull York Medical School will have about 600 students, with 130 new entrants each year. Students will spend the first two years of their training mainly in University-based tuition – half in Hull and half in York – before being assigned for increasing time each week to clinical placements in the primary, community and hospital care sectors.