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Dr Cristina Ronchi, Honorary Consultant Endocrinologist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), has been elected as president for the European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumours (ENSAT).

Cristina is an academic clinician, splitting her time between the hospital, where she leads the multi-disciplinary adrenal tumour team, and the University of Birmingham, where she is Associate Professor for Endocrine Oncology.

Having worked at QEHB for seven years, Cristina has cared for patients with adrenal tumours, both cancerous and benign, across the UK. The endocrine service at QEHB, together with the University of Birmingham and Birmingham Health Partners, was awarded a five-star Centre of Excellence rating in an independent review carried out by ENSAT in 2022 for its outstanding contribution to patient care and research.

ENSAT was established to bring together clinicians and scientists working in the field of adrenal tumours, and to provide guidelines and practical recommendations that help standardise care. ENSAT also supports multi-centre research projects, giving patients more access to research opportunities and allowing cross-country collaboration.

Cristina has been a member of ENSAT for 12 years, joining the Executive Board three years ago before being put forward for Presidency this year. The Network has around 700 members across Europe, with some further afield in the Americas and Asia.

On receiving the news of being elected President, Cristina said: “It is a real honour to take on the presidency of ENSAT, an organisation I’m incredibly passionate about. Over the past decade I have been an active member of the network and have seen first-hand the benefit of the knowledge sharing and collaboration opportunities it brings. I’m hopeful that this new role will benefit our patients at QEHB by opening up further research opportunities and will ensure we remain at the cutting edge of endocrine care.

“There’s lots I want to achieve as president. One thing I’m very passionate about is involving patients with the network as much as possible, from inviting them to meetings to supporting grant opportunities. Nothing is more important, or powerful, than the patient voice. I also intend to increase multidisciplinary aspects within the network, to encourage participation of early career clinicians and researchers. I hope my taking up the role inspires others to consider, or pursue, a career in endocrinology and a clinical academic career – as there are so many fantastic opportunities out there.”