- Dr John Short awarded an honorary degree by Aston University
- He was a psychiatric social worker in both rural and inner city areas before taking on senior management roles in mental health services in local authorities and the NHS
- He was most recently the Chief Executive at the large Mental Health Trust in Birmingham and Solihull and supported the development of Aston Medical School which opened in 2017.
A mental health champion who has held various senior roles across services in the NHS has been awarded an honorary degree by Aston University.
Dr John Short was awarded the honour this week at a ceremony held at the Eastside Rooms, the city’s latest purpose-built conference and events venue.
He started his career in mental health services in the 1980s and was a psychiatric social worker in both rural and inner-city areas before taking on senior management roles in mental health services in local authorities and the NHS.
Dr Short spent fourteen years of his NHS career as Operational Director and then Chief Executive of services in Shropshire, Cheshire, and Leicestershire before taking on the Chief Executive role at the Mental Health Trust in Birmingham and Solihull from 2013 until 2019.
He was also instrumental in the development of Aston Medical School which opened in 2017.
Anthony Hilton, Executive Dean of the College of Health and Life Sciences at Aston University, said:
“I am delighted that Aston University has bestowed this honour on Dr John Short.
“John’s support in the development of Aston Medical School was invaluable in helping to achieve its mission to create a more diverse and socially inclusive medical profession by supporting local students to train as doctors and to contribute to addressing the region’s health inequalities.”
- Notes to Editors
Founded in 1895 and a University since 1966, Aston is a long established university led by its three main beneficiaries – students, business and the professions, and our region and society. Aston University is located in Birmingham and at the heart of a vibrant city and the campus houses all the university’s academic, social and accommodation facilities for our students. Professor Alec Cameron is the Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive.
Aston University was named University of the Year 2020 by The Guardian and the University’s full time MBA programme has been ranked in the top 100 in the world in the Economist MBA 2021 ranking. The Aston MBA has been ranked 12th in the UK and 85th in the world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Sam Cook, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44)7446 910063 or email: s.cook2@aston.ac.uk
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