IBMS Congress

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IBMS President's Opening Address

Above: IBMS President John Stevens opens Congress 2009

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen and welcome to Congress 2009.

"It is with considerable regret that we start this Congress on a particularly sad note. Some of you may know by now that former President, Russ Allison, died on Friday last.

"Russ Allison will be known to many of you. Russ built his considerable professional reputation as the head biomedical scientist responsible for the provision of diagnostic and research laboratory services at the University of Wales College of Medicine Dental School. Russ joined the Institute in 1959 and soon became a stalwart member of the Cardiff branch, being at various times, chairman and secretary. He was elected to Council as the South West Regional Council in 1984 and for many years was the Chairman of the Science Committee and very actively involved in the Institute’s conference programme. Indeed it was Russ, with others, who was responsible for the Congress series of conferences.

"Russ became the President of this Institute in 2002, and in 2005 he was elected Vice President.

"Most of you in this theatre will be using your attendance at Congress as part of your personal CPD portfolios. It was Russ who was responsible for conceiving, constructing and introducing the Institute’s highly respected CPD scheme, and his ‘drive, enthusiasm and commitment’ to this area was specifically highlighted when he was awarded in 1999 the Institute’s prestigious Simms Woodheads Medal for outstanding services to the profession.

"Russ’ expertise lay in pathology and his many publications in this field led to invitations to lecture at many international specialist meetings. He was well known and respected by our company members also. The life of Russ Allison was marked by enthusiasm and commitment that were applied to his chosen profession with distinction.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I ask you to stand for a moment in silent reflection on the life and times of Russell Thomas Allison.

"It is now my pleasure to introduce Professor Ian Cumming who has kindly agreed to formally open Congress 2009.

"This will be the first time that any Congress has been opened by a current Fellow of this Institute – and may I add, an Institute Chartered Scientist. A little earlier this year Ian was appointed Chief Executive of the West Midlands Strategic Health Authority, having previously been the Chief Executive of North Lancashire PCT and CEO for the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay.

"Ian, however joined the health service some 25 years ago as a biomedical scientist in Manchester. He specialised in haematology and passed the Institute’s Special Examination in 1988. Ian then moved into general management and held a number of posts leading to his current appointment.

"Ian is no stranger to Institute conferences having been both a delegate and lecturer at previous events. The Chief Executive tells me that Ian particularly remembers the Warwick conference – but did not go into details!

"On behalf of the Institute may I congratulate Professor Cumming on his recent appointment. It has been a defining premiss of this Institute that individuals should be supported and encouraged in developing their personal potential – as the logo on our coat of arms says : ‘Learn that you may improve’. Clearly there can be few better examples than Ian.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to introduce Professor Ian Cumming OBE."

Above: John Stevens with Russ Allison on background image