The RCP was saddened to learn that Professor Linda Luxon, first female treasurer of the Royal College of Physicians, died on Saturday 2 September 2023.
Dr Sarah Clarke, president of the RCP, said: ‘Linda was a valued member of the college for many years. She was known for her generous support to colleagues and her sage advice, including helping drive preparation for our 500th anniversary and develop our work on sustainability. Our thoughts are with Linda’s family, friends and colleagues.’
As well as her position at RCP, she was the treasurer of the Royal Society of Medicine and had also been president or chair of several bodies including the British Society of Audiology, UK Health Alliance on Climate Change, the International Association of Physicians in Audiology and the European Federation of Audiological Societies. She was appointed CBE in 2010 for services to medicine.
Profile
Professor Linda Luxon was the RCP’s treasurer until 2018– the first woman to hold the post.
Linda qualified in neurology and medicine at St Thomas’ hospital, London, and developed an interest in neuro-otology while working as a lecturer at the Institute of Neurology. She became the first female consultant physician at the National Hospital, Queen Square. She later became emeritus professor of audiovestibular medicine at UCL and honorary consultant physician in the department of audiovestibular medicine, UCLH.
Within the RCP, Professor Luxon led the establishment of the specialist advisory committee and curriculum in audiovestibular medicine and also served as a regional specialty advisor before becoming treasurer and trustee. She also led on sustainability.
As well as her position at RCP, she was the treasurer of the Royal Society of Medicine and had also been president or chair of several bodies including the British Society of Audiology, UK Health Alliance on Climate Change, the International Association of Physicians in Audiology and the European Federation of Audiological Societies.
She was appointed CBE in 2010 for services to medicine.
Her career centred on tackling the ‘hidden handicaps’ of hearing and balance disorders through training, clinical service, research and the charitable sector. She was appointed by the then-Department of Health as a national clinical champion in audiology.
Her extensive publications include more than 120 peer reviewed research papers, chapters in textbooks and a monograph for the RCP. She edited seven books including the Textbook of audiological medicine and co-edited some of Scott Brown’s otolaryngology textbooks.