Professor Sunil Bhandari awarded with William Cullen Medal

Professor Sunil Bhandari awarded with William Cullen Medal

Professor Sunil Bhandari has been awarded with the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh’s William Cullen Medal. The William Cullen Medal is occasionally awarded to a Fellow of the College for “the greatest benefit done to Practical Medicine”. Professor Bhandari is an Honorary Professor and Consultant Nephrologist and Transplant Physician with Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Hull York Medical School. 

Among Professor Bhandari’s national and international achievements, he has served as Co-Chair of the UK Kidney Research Consortium, as a co-author of the landmark 2019 NEJM publication (PIVOTAL), as Chief Investigator of the NIHR STOP-ACEi trial across 37 UK centres and as a Co-Director of the UK Advanced Nephrology Course. Professor Bhandari was presented with the medal- named after a past President of the College, Dr William Cullen- on Friday by the College President Professor Mark Strachan during a New Fellows’ Day Ceremony in the College.

Professor Bhandari said:

It is a tremendous privilege and honour to have been awarded the Cullen Medal — the highest accolade bestowed upon a clinician by the RCPE in recognition of “the greatest benefit done to Practical Medicine.”

Over the past 26 years working in East Yorkshire across a range of roles — physician, clinical researcher, teacher, educator and leader — I have sought to make a meaningful and lasting contribution: improving the lives of patients through research and innovation, and supporting the development and success of clinicians, trainees and researchers.

This recognition is not an individual achievement alone. I have been fortunate to work alongside exceptional colleagues locally and nationally, and with organisations such as the UK Kidney Association and Kidney Research UK. I have also had the privilege of collaborating with talented fellows, office bearers and the dedicated staff team at the RCPE.

Throughout my career, I have been continually inspired by the generosity, commitment and shared purpose of those around me. This award reflects what can be achieved when we work together to advance knowledge, improve care and invest in the next generation. I remain committed to continuing that contribution and helping shape the future of kidney medicine and medical education.

Commenting Professor Mark Strachan, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, said:

The William Cullen medal is one of the most prestigious honours that the College can bestow on one of our Fellows and I am delighted that our College Council decided to award it to Professor Bhandari.

Professor Bhandari is a leader in his specialty of nephrology and is renowned as a global expert in renal anaemia. His impact has been demonstrated across numerous areas: in pioneering research, as Co-Chair of the UK Kidney Research Consortium, as a respected educator and as a consultant who has taken forward many service enhancements to the benefit of patients in East Yorkshire.

 His award of the William Cullen medal is richly deserved and a testament to his achievements over many years.