Gravitas Medical Director David Kerrigan Appointed Professor of Bariatric Surgery at The University of Chester

February 13, 2012

Leading surgeon Mr David Kerrigan, medical director of weight loss surgery specialists Gravitas, has been appointed Professor of Bariatric Surgery at the University of Chester. 

Formerly honorary senior lecturer in surgery at the University of Liverpool, Professor Kerrigan practises at the Spire Murrayfield Hospital, Wirral and is among the elite of UK bariatric surgeons.

A pioneer of laparoscopic (keyhole) bariatric surgery in the UK, Professor Kerrigan advised the government on the NICE obesity guidelines in use today and is widely respected by both the public and his surgical peers for his technical skill and commitment to uncompromisingly high standards.

He was notified of his appointment by the Duke of Westminster, Chancellor of the University of Chester, which is starting a new MSc course in Bariatric Clinical Practice in April 2012.

Run in partnership with Gravitas, a network of doctors and surgeons committed to working to the highest ethical and professional standards in bariatric surgery, the programme will provide students with world-class education and training in the assessment and management of patients with morbid obesity both before and after surgery.

A graduate of the University of Liverpool, Professor Kerrigan trained in Manchester, Sheffield, Japan and the USA before becoming an upper gastro-intestinal surgeon in Liverpool where he subsequently set up a pioneering bariatric practice.

He has published widely on the subject of bariatric surgery and its beneficial effects on obesity-related conditions such as diabetes and is regularly invited to speak at national and international meetings and conferences.  

Professor Kerrigan is also regularly asked to comment on obesity-related issues for national press and women's magazines as well as national radio and television.

Prof Kerrigan and his team have won numerous awards, including the Association for the Study of Obesity award for innovative practice. 

They have also won awards from the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society and the International Federation for Surgery of Obesity (IFSO) for the quality of clinical research presented at national and international meetings.

"I am delighted that the University of Chester has decided to build on its existing reputation as a centre of learning for medical weight management by recognising the increasing importance of bariatric surgery as a crucial weapon in the fight against severe obesity," said Professor Kerrigan.

"The new postgraduate course in Bariatric Clinical Practice will give GPs, nurses and dieticians the knowledge and confidence to safely manage patients who are preparing for or have recently undergone bariatric surgery.

"On a personal note, my family and I are particularly grateful to the University for the recognition they have shown in bestowing the honour of Visiting Professor on me.  I would also like to thank all of the members of my team at Gravitas for their loyalty and hard work in supporting our aspiration to create the country's leading bariatric surgery unit."

Married with one son, Professor Kerrigan lives in North Wales.


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