Professor Richard Phillips
Deputy Dean of the MBBS programme
We are deeply saddened to share news of the recent passing of Professor Richard John Wyndham Phillips (often referred to fondly as ‘RJWP’), Deputy Dean of the Medical School, a much-loved lecturer, mentor and colleague, with a passion for opera and ballet.
Raised in South Wales, Professor Phillips began a degree in preclinical studies at King’s College, Cambridge, in the 1970s. After graduating, he moved to Brixton, where he worked as a GP for many years and was much loved by patients and colleagues alike.
A pioneer in his field, Professor Phillips helped establish domiciliary (or ‘at home’) care for patients with HIV in the 1980s, during the early part of the HIV epidemic. In 2008, he was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP) for his exceptional work providing care for patients living with addiction.
Described as the ‘backbone of the MBBS programme’, Professor Phillips worked within the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine for more than 25 years. In 2010, he took on the role of Deputy Dean and helped to launch the careers of thousands of talented medical students. In July 2023, he was named winner of the Executive Dean’s Special Award for Outstanding Citizenship (Lifetime Award).
In the words of Professor Nicki Cohen, Dean of Medical Education: ‘In both his kindness and his consistent commitment to excellence in education, Richard was absolutely one of a kind. I am beyond honoured to have been his colleague and friend.’
Details for this obituary have been taken from the King’s website.