The presentation will provide a commentary on and reflection upon a career that has been the consequence of many steps, twists and turns. It will commence at the start of the journey, exploring a (brief) career in physiology, anaesthetics, clinical medicine and medical biochemistry before the opportunity of a career in environmental public health became a possibility and reality
It will explore the extra-ordinary journey of establishing a service for chemical incident management. From the early days of The National Focus for Chemical Incidents, through to the establishment of the Health Protection Agency and the Chemical Hazards and Poisons Division and subsequent formation of Public England and UKHSA, it will address key aspects.
The presentation will focus upon the construction and development of a contemporary and bespoke environmental public health service for Wales, together with the development of an international academic training centre, whilst exploring collaborative working with The European Union/Commission, G7+Mexico countries, as well as WHO and its regions.
It will culminate with a series of thoughts and reflections regarding a perhaps unforeseen career, together with some horizon scanning regarding the future and potential personal opportunites.
David Russell was born in Cardiff, Wales in 1962, the son of a professor of microbiology and a primary school teacher. Educated through the medium of Welsh, he subsequently read Physiology and Biochemistry at Cardiff University before graduating in Medicine at the University of Leeds in 1984.
Post qualification, he undertook house jobs in North Wales, before working as an anaesthetist in Swansea. Following a radical change in career direction, he subsequently specialised in chemical pathology/medical biochemistry, working at Southmead hospital in Bristol and The University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
In August 2000, he was appointed the Medical Director of The National Focus for Chemical Incidents, before being appointed Welsh Government's Senior Medical Officer for Environmental Medicine. He joined The Health Protection Agency in 2003 as the Head of Chemical Hazards and Poisons (Cardiff) and Deputy Director of the WHO-Collaborating Centre for Chemical Incidents. He subsequently headed CRCE-Wales in PHE and currently is employed by UKHSA in the same capacity.
Married to Sarah with 2 grown up children, he will become a grandfather for the first time in May.
Hobbies-wise, David is a self-confessed football fanatic, often travelling to watch Wales play, together with Leeds United and is often to be seen at Elland Road.
David retires later this month.