Dr. Mumtaz Patel from the University of Liverpool Becomes the 123rd President of the Royal College of Physicians

Dr. Mumtaz Patel from the University of Liverpool Becomes the 123rd President of the Royal College of Physicians

(IN BRIEF) Dr. Mumtaz Patel has been elected the 123rd president of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), making her the first woman of Indian descent to hold this esteemed position. Dr. Patel, a consultant nephrologist and educator at the University of Liverpool, has been an influential leader within the RCP, particularly in expanding global membership and promoting women in leadership roles. Her election follows a record turnout in the 2025 RCP elections, with Dr. Patel receiving 2239 votes, the highest of any candidate. As president, she is committed to supporting RCP members and delivering the best healthcare for patients.

(PRESS RELEASE) LIVERPOOL, 1-May-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Dr. Mumtaz Patel has been elected as the 123rd president of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), making history as the first woman of Indian descent and the fourth woman overall to assume this prestigious role. A consultant nephrologist at Manchester Royal Infirmary and Director for Conduct and Progress at the University of Liverpool’s School of Medicine, Dr. Patel has been serving as the RCP’s acting president since June 2024.

Dr. Patel’s election marks a significant milestone in her distinguished career at the RCP, where she has held various leadership positions. Most notably, she served as vice president for education and training from 2020 to 2023, where she played an instrumental role in expanding the college’s global membership and establishing the Global Women Leaders Programme to empower female physicians to reach leadership positions. In 2023, she was elected as Vice President for Education and Training before stepping into her current acting presidential role.

Her contributions to medical education extend beyond her leadership roles at the RCP. As a key figure in shaping the School of Medicine’s Professionalism and Conduct processes, Dr. Patel has helped future doctors establish their professional identities. Her influence is also felt in the NHS, where she serves as a postgraduate associate dean in NHS England for the north-west, overseeing education, training, and assessment.

Dr. Patel’s educational initiatives extend internationally, having designed and delivered numerous leadership and educational courses. She is also an experienced PACES examiner and has contributed to the development of the next generation of medical professionals both in the UK and overseas.

The RCP president is the chair of the RCP Council and a member of the Board of Trustees, with a term of four years. In the 2025 RCP elections, Dr. Patel received 2239 votes, surpassing her nearest competitor by a margin of 682 votes, with a record turnout of 36.3%, the highest since the 2002 presidential election.

Dr. Patel expressed her enthusiasm for the role, saying, “As president, I will lead the RCP to be the best organization it can be, supporting our members throughout every career stage to deliver the best possible healthcare for our patients. I bring over 20 years of RCP experience, along with passion, commitment, and a values-driven approach.”

Dr. Diana Walford CBE, chair of the RCP Board of Trustees, congratulated Dr. Patel, saying, “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I warmly congratulate Dr. Mumtaz Patel on becoming the next president of the RCP. She takes on this crucial role following a challenging period for the college, and I have no doubt that her leadership will restore trust and strengthen the RCP’s position as a leading medical institution.”

An official start date for Dr. Patel’s presidency will be confirmed shortly.

Media Contacts:

Joanne Carr
Deputy Director of Communications and Public Affairs
T: +44 (0)7825 434900
E: jocarr@liverpool.ac.uk

Catrin Owen
Media Relations Manager – Humanities and Social Sciences
T: +44 (0)7721 834238
E: catrin.owen@liverpool.ac.uk

Sarah Stamper
Media Relations Manager – Science and Engineering
T: +44 (0)7970 247396
E: sarah.stamper@liverpool.ac.uk

Jennifer Morgan
Media Relations Manager – Health and Life Sciences
T: +44 (0)7775 547589
E: J.L.Morgan@liverpool.ac.uk

Alison Cornmell
Media Relations Manager – Health and Life Sciences
T: +44 (0) 7771 700680
E: Alison.Cornmell@liverpool.ac.uk

SOURCE: University of Liverpool