Board of Trustees

President 2026-27

Dr Adams is an experienced General Practitioner who took flexible retirement in 2019 after working as a salaried GP at East Parade Medical Practice. She continues to work as an Out of Hours GP with Nimbuscare and Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, based across Harrogate, Northallerton and Catterick Primary Care Centres.

Before retraining in medicine, Dr Adams enjoyed a long and varied career as both a nurse and midwife. In addition to her medical qualifications, Dr Adams holds a degree in Languages and Linguistics and is fluent in French, with conversational Spanish and German.

During her presidential year, Dr Adams hopes to encourage greater involvement of members in the life and future direction of the Society. She is keen to foster a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, broaden engagement across the healthcare community, and encourage greater participation from allied health professionals. Her vision is for the Society to continue evolving as a vibrant centre for education, collegiality, debate and friendship across the wider medical and healthcare professions.

Past President 2025-26

NHS Consultant Psychiatrist in York and Honorary Professor at Hull York Medical School. Paul grew up in Sunderland and qualified in medicine from Oxford in 1988. He first trained and worked as a GP in York and Australia. Paul was awarded a NICE Fellowship in mental health from 2011-14 and voted ‘Psychiatric Communicator of the Year’ in 2016 by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. He is Tutor for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy at TEWV NHS Foundation Trust and RCPsych advisor to the Reading Well Books on Prescription Scheme for Public Libraries in England. Married with three daughters, Paul enjoys tennis, cycling and performing in local musical theatre. He is keen for YMS to remain modern, inclusive, vibrant and welcoming.

Hon Treasurer

Retired Professor of child health University of York, Hull York Medical School and Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Previously NHS Clinical Director and ran a specialist service for Deaf children and families in the NHS. Past Director of Research and Student Support at the medical school and led a child mental health health research team (COMIC)

Hon Secretary

GP Kirkbymoorside 30 years.Tim is a retired GP from Tenby, Pembrokeshire  who having qualified at St Bartholomew’s Hospital London in 1984, trained as a GP in Exeter and moved to Kirkbymoorside, Ryedale where he was a GP partner for 30 years. He has been a GP trainer, Clinical tutor, Educational supervisor and GP appraiser and had various NHS management roles and responsibilities during the many ‘reforms’ seen over the three decades in practice. He is married to Ania, a retired nurse/midwife, and has four grown up sons. Now living in York, as well as enjoying the many benefits of the YMS he cycles with the Wednesday Wheelers and North Yorkshire CTC, runs and walks and sails and volunteers.

Hon Curator and Hon Librarian

Jim Drife is emeritus professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Leeds and a former BMJ columnist.  He has been a consultant to the World Health Organisation and a vice-president of the RCOG, and has appeared several times on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Trustee and IT Lead

Sarah Anderson is a Consultant Ophthalmologist in York with a sub-speciality interest in Emergency Eye Care. She provides IT and social media support to YMS.  

Trustee and License Holder

Stuart Calder is a retired GP and medical educationalist.  He now works as a clinical ethicist for the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.  He founded the York Medical Society Wine Club forty years ago and travels to France and Italy each year to source wines for the club’s list. 

Past President 2023-24

Qualified in 1981 from The London Hospital Medical School. Held a few junior posts around the east end before deciding to follow a career in Obstetrics and Gynaecology training in St. Marys Hospital, The Royal Marsden, Addenbrookes and the Rosie Maternity Hospital Cambridge, and St George’s Hospital and Chertsey. In Cambridge also worked in molecular biology research with Prostaglandins and the endometrium and ran menopause research clinic for over a year.  

Moved to York in 1995 as a consultant during which was the clinical Director of women’s services for 5 years. Continued as a general consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology running the diabetic antenatal clinic throughout, and having a continued interest in the menopause.

Retired in 2017 to follow interests in art, walking, skiing, travelling and the garden. Has 2 sons both having careers in economics and finance.

Trustee and Staffing Committee Chair

John is a retired GP who worked in Selby for 35 years, followed by a spell in remote and rural Scotland. He is a past President of the Society and until May 2026 held the role of Honorary Treasurer.

He lives near Selby and enjoys time with his 3 children and 4 grandchildren, although they are on the other side of the Pennines and in Scotland. He plays golf at The Oaks regularly and on occasion with his wife, Alison, who has also taken up the game. In April 2026 he started his year of Captaincy for the club. He is enthusiastic about looking after his garden and likes new projects to develop it further. He enjoys walking, and skiing.

Trustee and Social Committee Chair

Sarah is a GP Partner at Millfield Surgery, Easingwold and a Honorary tutor at HYMS involved in teaching 4th year medical students.    Attended St Andrews and Manchester Medical School, qualifying in 1996.  Sarah has worked in Chester, New Zealand but did her GP training in York.

She was one of the youngest Presidents of the Medical Society in 2018-19 and now chairs the Social Committee.

HYMS Senior Representative (Not on the Board of Trustees)

Matt is the Dean of Hull York Medical School and works closely with colleagues across the region to ensure the School trains the next generations of doctors and researchers for the Yorkshire and Humber region. Matt works as a nephrologist 1 day a week in Hull and as a non-executive director on the board at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Manager

Susan has worked in HR for several years before coming to YMS. She also brings experience in marketing and event organisation.