Professor Stephen MacLeod
Professor Stephen MacLeod is an Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon based at Loyola University, who was elected as an RCSEd Fellow by examination in 1999. Professor MacLeod has pledged a gift in his Will to the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh to establish a new prestigious medal. Here, he shares why he chose to leave a gift to the College.
I chose Edinburgh as my college for the simple reason that it was home. I was born in the States and came to Edinburgh as a young boy, attending school and growing up in the city. I have memories of getting the number 29 bus from Stockbridge, and one of the stops on the route being Surgeons’ Hall. My late aunt Muriel brought me up and she was very involved with organised nursing. She had worked closely with several members of the College and was the scrub nurse for notable Fellows such as Sir John Bruce and Norman Dott. Over the years I became enamoured with the College, knowing what it had done historically and how it was included within the local consciousness. When I became old enough to come and do exams for myself, I found the environment of the College respectful and welcoming, and that is something that has resonated with me for the whole of my career. I have fellowships from the other Colleges, but I very much view Edinburgh as my home.
I chose to leave a gift to the College for several reasons. The College was very good to me and in many ways has defined my professional life and thus by extension my personal life, with colleagues and friends that I’ve known for over 40 years. I’ve got a long history with the College so remembering and acknowledging this relationship is important. The idea of giving a donation in the name or in the memory of someone helps that person’s memory live on. When you look at the College diploma ceremonies and you see the various medals being awarded it harkens you back to another day and makes you realise what a wonderfully long pedigree you’re in touch with.
The College’s motto is From Here, Health, and it’s lived by that for the last 500 years. I look forward to the College doing that for another 500. I’m sorry I won’t be around to see it, but I hope my legacy can play a part.Picture: Professor Stephen MacLeod (right), legacy pledger
For more information on how you can leave a gift in your Will to RCSEd, please get in touch with:
Sarah Hutton
Development and Partnerships Officer
s.hutton@rcsed.ac.uk
0131 527 1597
