New professors join the University of Cumbria’s Institute of Health
The University of Cumbria has appointed two new Visiting Professors to support its continuing mission of shaping the healthcare workforce of the future.
Karen Deeny and Sarina Beacher join the Institute of Health team at the University of Cumbria, which has sites across Cumbria, Lancashire and London.
The university’s Institute of Health is a leading provider of undergraduate, postgraduate and CPD (continuing professional development) programmes for aspiring and existing professionals in nursing, midwifery, paramedic practice and other allied health professions such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
Karen is a non-executive director of University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust, a role she has held for almost four years.
She started her career as a speech and language therapist and has over 40 years’ experience across health, social care and education organisations and systems locally, regionally and nationally.
Her work as a clinician, senior leader, researcher and author has been driven by an enduring passion for working with and learning from patients and staff to improve people’s experiences and outcomes of care.
Karen has completed the NHS Top Leaders programme, holds a PhD in healthcare improvement and is an Institute of Leadership and Management qualified executive coach and mentor. She now works independently supporting a range of statutory, voluntary and charitable organisations with their assurance and improvement programmes.
Dr Fiona Chatten, Director of Health and Wellbeing within the University of Cumbria Institute of Health, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sarina and Karen as Visiting Professors. They bring a wealth of experience across healthcare, nursing, leadership and wider public sector organisations. Bringing their extensive expertise, they will make a significant contribution to our academic community and its wider partnerships. We look forward to the insight, innovation, and collaborative opportunities their appointments will bring.”