The Postgraduate Dean of Severn Postgraduate Medical Education, Professor Davinder Sandhu, has been awarded the Bruce Medal in recognition of the contribution he has made to the advancement of surgical education.
The Bruce Medal was established by The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1966 in memory of a former President, the late Sir John Bruce. It is awarded from time to time to a Fellow of the College to recognise a major contribution to surgical knowledge or teaching.

Professor Davinder Sandhu (left) receives the Bruce Medal
Professor Sandhu received the award at a ceremony at the Edinburgh College on Friday 06 September 2013.
Commenting on receiving the honour, he said:
"I feel hugely honoured and humbled by this award. The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh is a leading College with a particular focus on surgical education and training, and to receive the Bruce Medal is the pinnacle of my career and I am absolutely delighted to receive it."
Professor Robert Woodwards from the College’s Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Specialty Group said:
"Professor Sandhu has been Lead Dean for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for the last four years, as well as Lead Dean for the interface specialties. In these roles, he has been greatly involved in development of a new curriculum for the specialty, which has now had GMC approval, and has also guided the development and implementation of central recruitment to the specialty."
"He has also provided great support in the development of the interface specialties (cleft lip and palate; head and neck cancer care; cosmetic and reconstructive surgery and trauma) and has fought for funding and grants in these Fellowships to allow expanded training opportunities."
"He continues to contribute to postgraduate education nationally and internationally; has published over 40 original papers and is editor and reviewer of several journals."
"For many years Professor Sandhu has worked tirelessly to improve standards in medical education, and through that, patient care. I commend him as a worthy recipient of this honour.”
Notes to editors:
- Professor Davinder Sandhu MD, FRCS (Ed.Urol), FRCS (Eng & Glas), Cert.Med.Ed., FRCPE has been Postgraduate Dean of Severn Postgraduate Medical Education (formerly Severn Deanery) for 8 years and was previously a Consultant Urological Surgeon in Leicester for 13 years.
He represents the Conference of Postgraduate Medical Deans (COPMeD) at the Joint Medical Consultative Council (JMCC) and is the South West Regional Surgical Advisor for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He is Chair of the Association of Medical Education Europe Postgraduate Committee. - Severn Postgraduate Medical Education is part of Health Education South West which is a new organisation responsible for the planning, development, education and training of the healthcare and public health workforce in the region.
More information at Health Education South West website - Established in 1505 and with a worldwide membership, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh is one of the world’s oldest and largest surgical establishments dedicated to the pursuit of excellence and advancement in surgical and dental practice, through its activities in education, training and examinations. For more information go to The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh website
- For interviews with Professor Sandhu please contact Jonathan Cramp, Communications Manager, Health Education South West on 01823 361125.