Richard Kirk

I studied at Christ’s College, Cambridge University in the UK and Guy’s Hospital, London before graduating in 1979. In 1983, I became a Member of the Royal College of Physicians before being elected Fellow in 1994 and subsequently Fellow of the Royal College of Paediatricians and Child Health in 2001.
My special interests are transplantation, heart failure, developing educational material for trainees and the general public, as well as using IT to improve patient care. I was the lead clinician for the heart failure and transplant programme at Freeman Hospital from 2005-2015. During that time, it achieved an international reputation in the more challenging aspects of transplantation and mechanical support. With the support of the international community I edited the first comprehensive Pediatric Heart Failure Guidelines, published in 2014.
I was appointed Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas and Director of the Heart Transplant, Heart Failure and Ventricular Assist and Mechanical Support Programs at Children’s Health, Dallas between 2016 and 2019. My specialist experience in this area enabled me to develop strong links with other centres around the world, share best practices and provide professional support. During this time I gathered together many experts from across the world to develop and write a consensus document on Donor Organ Acceptability & Management in Pediatric Cardiac Transplantation.
In 2021, I was appointed as Program Consultant to the Heart Failure, Transplant and Mechanical Cardio-Respiratory Support Program Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome. It is a privilege to work with such a talented team and combine our collective experience to enhance the care of children with end stage cardio-pulmonary disease.