Professor Shaughn O’Brien reflects on his time as Institute Chairman

Professor Shaughn O’Brien stepped down as Chairman of the North Staffordshire Medical Institute after helping guide the organisation through two significant periods of change and development.

An obstetrician and gynaecologist, Professor O’Brien served two separate terms as Chairman and played an important role in shaping the future direction of the Institute, its research activities and its conference facilities.

Guiding the Institute through change

Professor O’Brien’s first term as Chairman, from 2002 to 2005, coincided with one of the biggest changes in the Institute’s history.

The opening of the Clinical Education Centre at the University Hospital of the North Midlands, as part of Keele University’s Medical School, meant that much of the postgraduate medical teaching activity previously centred at the Institute moved elsewhere.

The medical library and associated funding also transferred, leaving the Institute needing to reconsider its purpose and financial model.

Under Professor O’Brien’s leadership, greater emphasis was placed on developing the building as a conference and meeting venue.

An important part of this transition involved securing ownership of the land and parking facilities, helping to place the organisation on a stronger footing for the future.

Supporting the next generation of researchers

Research remained a central priority throughout Professor O’Brien’s involvement with the Institute.

Changes were made to the structure of research grants, with a greater focus on providing pump-priming funding that could help new researchers develop ideas and establish their academic careers.

During his later term as Chairman, Professor O’Brien also supported initiatives designed to encourage greater involvement in medical research.

These included the annual Firelighter Awards, organised by Keele University’s Dr Adam Farmer, which gave NHS staff the opportunity to pitch research ideas and compete for funding in a Dragon’s Den-style format.

The Institute also provided funding for Keele University’s ASPIRE programme, led by Professor Divya Chari and Dr Samantha Hider, which was created to help medical students engage with academic research.

Planning a new future for the Institute

Professor O’Brien returned to the Chairmanship in 2015 and again found himself leading the organisation during a period of transition.

One of the major projects developed during his second tenure was a substantial refurbishment and rebranding of the Institute.

A significant charitable donation helped make plans possible for the building to be redeveloped as a high-profile conference centre for North Staffordshire, while continuing to serve its established medical and professional community.

These plans ultimately formed part of the continuing evolution of the organisation and its conference facilities.

A lasting contribution

Alongside his leadership responsibilities, Professor O’Brien continued his medical research and private practice and remained closely involved with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

As he moved towards semi-retirement, he also planned to devote more time to creative interests including sculpture, clarinet and saxophone.

His departure marked the end of an important chapter for the North Staffordshire Medical Institute.

Through two separate terms as Chairman, Professor O’Brien helped the organisation respond to major changes in postgraduate medical education, strengthen its support for research and prepare its facilities for a new future.

He was succeeded as Chairman by Mr John Muir, continuing the Institute’s long tradition of leadership from within the medical community.