Mansel aylward biography death

It is with great sadness that Cardiff University marks the passing of Professor Sir Mansel Aylward CB, an extraordinary leader and dedicated champion for public health. Mansel, as he was known to all his friends and colleagues locally and across the globe, was a giant in the quest to improve the health of Wales. Born in Merthyr Tydfil, he saw at first hand the health inequalities that so badly impacted the Valleys communities of Wales, sparking his ambition to become a doctor and make a difference.

As a first step, he went to London to study Medicine.

Sir Mansel Aylward CB

Fate played a key role when, as a 5 th year student heading home to Merthyr for a few days, he found himself by chance pulled into the Aberfan disaster, one of the first health professionals at the devastating scene. He spoke eloquently about the experience and the effect it had on his future path, directing him towards a career in Public Health Medicine.

In he was appointed the first Chair of the newly established Public Health Wales NHS Trust, created to protect and improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities in Wales. This was a particular passion of his and he remained involved up to his death. Mansel was Director of the Centre for Psychosocial and Disability Research at Cardiff University for a number of years, delivering outstanding research in key aspects of Public Health.

Outside of academia, he made important contributions to Life Sciences companies in Wales working in diagnostics and rehabilitation. Mansel received numerous awards and honours over his illustrious career. Mansel was a great enthusiast for health sciences and an inspiration and support to many in Wales and beyond who worked with him.

He was a delight to meet — always smiling, kind and compassionate - and equally happy to talk science or Welsh rugby and a font of wisdom on both. He will be missed. The contributions he has made to the health and wellbeing of people in Wales are immeasurable, and the impacts of his work will continue to serve the public at a national, local and community level in Wales well into the future.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.