THE RICHARD COBB COLORECTAL TRAINING FELLOWSHIP

Richard Cobb was appointed as the first Colorectal Surgeon to the Heartlands Hospital Birmingham in 1993. From the outset he was master of his chosen speciality not only technically as a surgeon and diagnostician, but also in the way he cared for his patients and the trust and respect that was afforded him by his colleagues. One of Richard’s great enthusiasms was the training of surgeons. Richard’s interest in training led him to be involved in the West Midlands General Surgical Training rotation, being instrumental with colleagues in setting up the Colorectal Surgery Training Rotation in the West Midlands. His involvement in training subsequently led to him being appointed as a member of the Specialist Advisory Committee to the Joint Committee on Higher Surgical Training for General Surgery, the national body which overseas training standards and curriculum across the UK. His impact on the training of Colorectal Surgery in the West Midlands has been immense with numerous Colorectal Surgeons in the region having been tutored by him at some stage of their training. When Richard found out in February 2004, that his illness was terminal and prevented him from working, he decided to spend time developing the fund he set up when he was first appointed as a Consultant to support colorectal trainees. To raise funds Richard chose to do a sponsored walk. Typically, he chose the arduous Wainwright Coast to Coast walk, which he had always wanted to complete. He completed the walk in 17 days, a distance of 192 miles, without a break. Family and friends supported him at various stages of the walk but only Richard completed the whole distance. One month after completing his walk, Richard died on 13^th June 2004. It was Richards expressed wish that the funds he raised should be used for the specific purpose of supporting Colorectal Surgical trainees.

As a consequence of Richard Cobb’s wishes and as a result of his selfless and astonishing achievement, the funds raised by Richard with the help of his family, friends, colleagues and patients, has resulted in the development of The Richard Cobb Colorectal Training Fellowship. Invested as a charitable trust, this fund will provide an annual award, which is to be competed for by Colorectal Trainees in the West Midlands Deanery. A selection committee composed of Richard’s peers and his wife Carol will choose the successful candidate.

Applications for the Richard Cobb Colorectal Surgery Travelling Fellowship are invited from the Colorectal Trainee’s of the West Midlands Deanery.  Funds of up to £2500 will be provided to support the successful applicant. The fellowship is designed to provide funding for trainee’s in years 4-6 on the Colorectal Specialist Training rotation of the West Midlands Deanery who wish to expand and enhance aspects of their training.

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