It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Professor Yvonne Carter. Yvonne passed away in the early hours of 20 October after losing her battle with breast cancer, aged 50.

Well-known and loved as Dean of Warwick Medical School from 2004 to 2009, and Pro-Vice Chancellor for the University from 2007-2009, Yvonne was also one of the best known medical academics of recent times. A working GP for more than 20 years, she combined a punishing schedule of meetings, clinics, lectures and official dinners with an impressive portfolio of medical research and an inspirational style of management.

Under her leadership Warwick Medical School quickly developed into an innovative centre for research and education. Yvonne successfully led the School through the demanding General Medical Council quality assurance process to gain independent medical degree awarding status. During her tenure as Dean, the School was also assessed as part of the Research Assessment Exercise for the first time in 2008. It was ranked amongst the top ten medical schools in the UK for the quality of its Health Services Research.

With a medical career spanning more than 25 years, Professor Carter has held many national roles in education and research. During her time at Warwick, Professor Carter was named the Confederation of British Industry’s First Woman of Science in 2006 and appointed Deputy Lieutenant for the County of the West Midlands in 2008.

In the same year Yvonne was awarded a Coventry City Council Good Citizen Award and in 2009 she received a CBE for services to Medical Education, building on the OBE she received for services to health services research in 2000. More locally, Yvonne was also an Honorary Consultant in Primary Care at Coventry Teaching PCT and a Non-Executive Director and Vice Chair at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust.

Yvonne was diagnosed with her illness shortly after she arrived at Warwick in 2004. Her refusal to give in to her illness meant that she was able to continue working until July 2009 when she took early retirement due to her failing health. Few will forget her energy and commitment, whilst her many friends, colleagues and students will remember her as warm, approachable and fair-minded, inspiring loyalty and hard work in those she led. She leaves her husband Michael, their son Christopher and her sister Alma.

The family have requested that contributions in memory of Yvonne are made to Cancer Research or the Yvonne Carter Memorial Fund. The Yvonne Carter Memorial Fund is being established at the University with the intention of benefitting the support and recognition of Warwick Medical School students throughout their studies.

Donations to the Yvonne Carter Memorial Fund can be made online. Cheques should be made payable to ‘The University of Warwick’ and sent to FREEPOST RSBC-JAAG-TEST, Development & Alumni Relations, University of Warwick, University House, Kirby Corner Road, COVENTRY, CV4 8UW.

Warwick Medical School website