We have been remembering Dame Denise Coia DBE, FRCPsych, FRCPSG, FRSE, who peacefully passed away at home on 9 April 2020 surrounded by family.

During the early development of the Quality Governance Collaborative at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Denise had been most supportive both with her time and her enthusiasm to this initiative.

She thoughtfully assisted with suggestions of both faculty and programme and persuaded us to be ambitious in our outlook with our quality governance work.

Denise offered to contribute in a variety of ways, by speaking at our newly developed quality governance evening debate programme, by working with us to write papers which challenged the outlook of aspects of governance in healthcare, and by offering her advice and experience along the way.

She offered a unique perspective on governance in healthcare, helped us to attract new, younger members to our quality governance programme, and encouraged us to raise the bar in our approach to the first ever Quality Governance Fellowship programme, which is run by the College.

Denise will always be remembered by us as one of the greatest minds in improving patient safety and governance in healthcare.