Dr. Philippa Whitford MP (MD FRCS) is a distinguished figure hailing originally from Belfast, yet firmly rooted in Scotland, where she pursued her medical education at Glasgow University.
Despite encountering repeated assertions that women were ill-suited for surgical pursuits, Philippa’s unwavering determination led her to challenge these norms. She pursued extensive training primarily in the West of Scotland, including a pivotal two-year stint in Breast Cancer research at Glasgow University. Alongside her husband, Hans, she displayed remarkable dedication as a medical volunteer for 16 months at a UN hospital in Gaza during the tumultuous period following the first Gulf War and during the first Intifada. This was followed by a brief engagement in Lebanon in 1993.
For 19 years, Philippa served as a Consultant Breast Cancer Surgeon at Crosshouse Hospital in Ayrshire. During her tenure, she spearheaded a transformative redesign of the service and pioneered the establishment of reconstructive breast surgery.
Philippa emerged as a fervent advocate for the YES campaign during Scotland’s referendum, actively contributing through ‘Women for Independence.’ Her impactful speeches gained significant attention, leading her to co-found ‘NHS for YES.’ In 2015, she secured her Central Ayrshire constituency in the General Election and assumed the role of Shadow Health Spokesperson for the SNP in Westminster. Presently, she holds the mantle of SNP Spokesperson on Scotland.
Her achievements have garnered recognition, including being honored by the Saltire Society as one of the ‘Outstanding Women of Scotland’ in July 2016. In 2018, she clinched the title of ‘People’s Choice MP of the Year.’
A trailblazer in many aspects, Philippa made history as the first Scottish MP to take her oath in Scots after her election to Westminster in 2015. This practice continued post the 2017 and 2019 elections, underscoring her dedication to her heritage. As an esteemed Ayrshire MP, she is frequently invited to deliver significant toasts at Burns Suppers, spanning across her local area, Scotland, and even reaching as far as Frankfurt, Germany in 2023. A pivotal moment in her journey took place in 2018 when she participated in a Burns Supper at the Tarbolton Bachelor’s Club, where she became only the second woman to deliver the Toast to the Immortal Memory.
A guide track for ‘Dr Philippa Whitford MP’ is available below for listening: -
The track is additionally available within the following collections and sets: -
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2/4
Ayrshire Characters
Politics
Polka
The Tarbolton Collection
