Lady Estelle Wolfson receives honorary degree from the University of Liverpool
Lady Estelle Wolfson was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Liverpool in recognition of her remarkable philanthropic contributions to medicine and healthcare.
The honorary ceremony was presided over by Professor Louise Kenny (Executive Pro Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Liverpool), with Sir Ian Gilmore (Professor of Hepatology, Director of the Liverpool Centre for Alcohol Research, and Chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance) delivering the oration.
Lady Wolfson has been a central figure in generous philanthropic support for over three decades, initially with her late husband Leonard Wolfson for the Wolfson Foundation and later with the Lord Leonard and Lady Estelle Wolfson Foundation, a charity she has chaired and run since 2012. The Foundation, established in memory of her late husband, supports research and education in preventative medicine and surgery.
Lady Estelle Wolfson’s life has been marked by personal challenges, including the tragic brain injury sustained by her first child and then the loss of her first husband to cancer at a young age. Despite these hardships, she has dedicated herself to voluntary work at the Royal Free Hospital, laying the foundation for her philanthropic journey. Sir Ian said: “She has done so much since for the welfare of others and it is so fitting we are making her an Honorary Doctor today.”
The ceremony was particularly meaningful as it took place at the Royal College of Physicians, an institution where Lady Wolfson has held trusteeships and supported in advancing the role of women in healthcare. One highlight of the event was to announce an RCP Lady Wolfson Annual Lecture in Translational Medicine next year, bringing medical research breakthroughs to the bedside for the benefit of patients.
Among the initiatives supported by Lady Wolfson and her Foundation is the funding of a lectureship in Wellbeing within the School of Public Health at the University of Liverpool. Dr Dimitrios Charalampopoulos, the recipient of this support, expressed his gratitude and provided an update on his work as a Teaching and Scholarship Lecturer and the Education Lead for the Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems.
In his update, Dr Charalampopoulos outlined his responsibilities including developing and implementing the department’s education strategy, coordinating teaching activities, and fostering a culture of excellence and innovation in education. He also highlighted his involvement in research activities and expressed a commitment to furthering his pedagogical skills through ongoing education.
Lady Estelle Wolfson expressed her pride in receiving the Honorary Doctorate in front of her family and friends: “Being awarded an honorary degree from the University of Liverpool means a great deal to me. I am proud that the medical research and the establishment of the lectureship in Wellbeing that the Foundation has supported will have a lasting impact on healthcare for generations to come.” This is a fitting acknowledgement of her enduring commitment to the improvement of healthcare, embodying the University of Liverpool’s values and dedication to advancing medical research and education for the public benefit.