Keele University’s Professor Pauline Walsh has been appointed as the new Convenor of a collaborative partnership to improve health across the Midlands.

Professor Walsh, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Health & Wellbeing and Executive Dean for the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, has been appointed to the position for Midlands Innovation Health (MI Health), taking over from Professor Sudhesh Kumar OBE, Dean of the Warwick Medical School.

The role rotates between the university Deans of the medical and healthcare schools on behalf of the seven Midlands Innovation universities which aim to improve health and regional growth.

Professor Walsh said: “MI Health draws together a critical mass of innovative regional stakeholders to impact national and global health challenges using local training strengths, expertise, networks, best practice and facilities.

“I’m proud to be stepping into the role of Convenor with my fellow health colleagues at a pivotal time for MI Health while we work towards tackling health inequalities, improve the culture of collaboration and increase inward investment into the region.”

MI Health has recently launched a Midlands Health Inequalities Policy Commission which will focus upon tackling the indirect and long-term impacts of Covid-19, specifically where they are compounded by deprivation and ethnic health over the life course of the Midlands population.

Professor Walsh will play a critical role in the Policy Commission helping to engage with key stakeholders throughout the programme, which is expected to publish its findings in spring 2022.

MI Health recently published a joint report to highlight the region’s research excellence to support the national Covid-19 pandemic. Read more about the joint response here.