Peter Kopelman

Professor Peter Graham Kopelman MD, DSc (hon), FRCP, FFPH, FFacMEd (hon) (23 June 1951 – 9 July 2021) was the interim Vice-Chancellor of the University of London from 8 June 2018 until 30 June 2019. He previously served as the Principal of St George's, University of London^[1] (2008–15)^[2] and was succeeded by Jenny Higham. Prior to his appointment at St George's, he was Vice-Principal, Queen Mary, University of London, and Deputy Warden of Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry (2001–06), and Dean of the Faculty of Health, University of East Anglia (2006–08). Professor Kopelman died in July 2021.^[3]

Background

Peter Kopelman was educated at Felsted School and studied medicine at St George's Hospital Medical School.^[4] He had a long-standing interest in diabetes care and initiated a district-wide scheme for integrated care in east London. He was active in health policy, medical education and research. Professor Kopelman had been chair or deputy chair of several national university committees and was a member of NHS national policy and workforce committees; he chaired the Clinical Examining Board of the Royal College of Physicians (UK) and the NHIR Academic Careers Panel. Latterly he was chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Faculty & Education Board and Health Education England’s Oversight Board for Medical Associate Professionals.

Professor Kopelman’s major research interest was in the field of obesity, in particular endocrine aspects and possible genetic determinants. He was also interested in the pathophysiology of associated complications and their management. He was a past chairman of the Association for the Study of Obesity, President of the European Association for the Study of Obesity,^[5] a Trustee of the International Association for the Study of Obesity and a member of the Department of Health and Food Standards Agency Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition. He was a member of the Chief Medical Officer’s Working Group on physical activity. He was chair of the Royal College of Physicians Committee on Nutrition^[6] and chaired the College’s Working Party on the management of obesity with particular reference to drug therapy.^[7] He also chaired the College’s Working Party on nutritional care of patients that resulted in the publication of a report entitled Nutrition and Patients – a Doctor’s Responsibility.^[8]

References

1. "Talks intensify with St George's, University of London", Times of Malta, 15 June 2008.
2. "St George's, University of London names new principal". Times Higher Education (THE). 9 July 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
3. "Obituary: Professor Peter Kopelman 1951-2021". St George's, University of London. 13 July 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
4. Alumni Felstedienses (1930–2000)
5. "First tobacco, now the food police" - Independent Online
6. "More than half of adults are too fat and getting fatter, say doctors", The Telegraph.
7. Sarah Boseley and Patrick Wintour, "Doctors call for joined up strategy on obesity", The Guardian, 12 February 2004.
8. "Doctors fear fat epidemic" - London Evening Standard 6 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine

External links

• "Jobs lost on UEA's nursing course" - BBC News