Award-winning doctor loses Covid battle
A LEADING Scots doctor has died after a ‘long battle’ with Covid-19.
Fiona Denison, a professor of translational obstetrics at the University of Edinburgh, died on Saturday.
Professor Denison, 51, was director of the Tommy’s National Centre for Maternity Improvement, which works to prevent stillbirths and premature births across the UK.
She recognised that many babies die during or shortly after childbirth due to gaps in the monitoring process and led a project to develop medical devices to improve processes. She was also the chief executive of Birthing Solutions and created a mirror to help midwives and new mothers view the birthing process more easily, for which she won a number of awards. She was a finalist in the 2013 NHS Lothian Health Hero awards, nominated by one of her patients for her concern for patient wellbeing.
Tributes to Professor Denison were led by her brother Alan, a radiologist with NHS Grampian and postgraduate dean at Aberdeen University.
He wrote on twitter: ‘My sister Fiona Denison died yesterday following a long battle with Covid. A gifted, kind and compassionate obstetrician, researcher, teacher, academic, musician, friend, wife, mother, auntie and daughter. RIP.’
Professor Hilary Critchley, head of deanery clinical sciences and co-deputy director MRC reproductive health at the University of Edinburgh said: ‘We are all deeply saddened at the passing of our much-loved colleague, Professor Fiona Denison.
‘Fiona touched many lives – as a caring clinician, an inspiring teacher and a passionate researcher. She was committed to translating research into clinical practice and her contributions have improved health outcomes for mothers and babies here in Scotland and beyond.
‘Above all, she was a supportive colleague and friend. Her loss will be felt greatly by all who knew her.’