IBMS President Sarah Pitt and Chief Executive David Wells will present to members a review of the IBMS Strategy 2022-25. There will also be a short introduction on what to expect in the next strategy.
Sarah is a registered Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and a Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). Specializing in microbiology, Sarah has a particular expertise in clinical virology and parasitology. She holds a BSc in Microbiology from Bristol University and trained as a Biomedical Scientist at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School in London. Throughout her career, Sarah has gained extensive experience working in hospital diagnostic laboratories across the UK, Africa, and Central Asia.
With a strong passion for education and training, Sarah is deeply committed to the development of future Biomedical Scientists. She plays an active role in managing clinical placements for BSc Biomedical Science students at local hospital pathology departments, helping to prepare them for careers in diagnostic laboratory work.
In her professional capacity, Sarah serves as the IBMS Chief Examiner for Virology, contributing to the development of professional exams, the Specialist portfolio, and continuing professional development initiatives.
Sarah has also made significant contributions to educational resources, publishing three textbooks to support student learning: Introduction to Biomedical Science in Clinical and Professional Practice (co-authored with Dr. Jim Cunningham), Parasitology: An Integrated Approach (co-authored with Dr. Alan Gunn of Liverpool John Moores University), and Clinical Microbiology for Diagnostic and Laboratory Scientists, for which she was the sole author.
In June 2021, David became the IBMS Chief Executive following leading the NHS England and Improvement Pathology consolidation programme as Head of Pathology for NHS England and NHS Improvement. He led England’s pathology services in the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that NHS laboratories were able to respond to the national need in standing up the required testing at pace and scale.
For three years running, David was recognised as being one of the top 100 most powerful advocates for pathology in the global community by The Pathologist magazine (2018, 2019 and 2020).
Previously, as an elected IBMS Council Member for the London region, David was chair of the Membership and Marketing Committee. He has also represented the IBMS on NICE diagnostic advisory panels, and various national forums, including an observer on the Royal College of Pathologist Council and in the Parliamentary and Science committee.
In October 2020, the Royal College of Pathologists awarded David Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his contribution to pathology.
