Brief Biography
Pauline is the Trust’s Senior Independent Director as well as the Health and Wellbeing Guardian for Combined.
After qualifying as a nurse in 1984, Professor Walsh practiced in a range of acute specialties before moving into education as a nurse tutor at Gloucestershire School of Nursing for a year before going on to do her teaching qualification at Cardiff University. Following this she moved to Wolverhampton University where she developed interests in healthcare ethics and professional practice.
Professor Walsh’s experience in curriculum development, placement learning and clinical assessment led to her pioneering the role of placement facilitator to promote learning in clinical practice. She moved to Keele in 2007 as a Senior Lecturer to lead undergraduate programmes prior to taking over as Head of the School of Nursing & Midwifery in 2010. During this time, she developed further research interests in simulated learning and developing resilience in students.
In 2018 she took up post as Pro Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean for the Faculty of \Medicine and Health Sciences becoming a member of the university executive team. During this time she led the development of a number of new programmes across the faculty resulting in significant growth in student numbers. Professor Walsh has a strong commitment to excellence and quality which has been integral to the faculty’s success.
In 2020 she became an associate NED with the trust to provide academic support and enhance the links with Keele. In December 2023 Professor Walsh retired from her substantive role at Keele and is now an emeritus professor thus giving her more time to undertake her new role as a NED.