University of Exeter Medical School

Professor Vikram Devaraj DL

Professor Vikram Devaraj DL

Lead for Fitness to Practice Faculty of Health & Life Sciences (Medicine, Medical Imaging, Nursing, Clinical & Applied Psychology, Clinical Education & Research) Associate Professor in Medical Education

 V.S.Devaraj@exeter.ac.uk

 College House 

 

College House, University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK

Overview

​Current role

Lead for Fitness to Practice (FTP) for professional programmes Faculty of Health & Life Sciences (Medicine, Nursing, Medical Imaging, Clinical & Applied Psychology, Clinical Education & Research).

Key role to support the teams involved with ensuring the professional behaviour of students on regulated undergraduate programs working closely with the General Counsel and Director of Legal and Student cases and the existing Responsible Persons (RP) for FTP for each programme and the Policy Advisor for FTP.

In addition to support and training the RP team, guidance when necessary is provided, progress reports received, reports reviewed on investigations from RPs offering feedback and opinion when needed. This also covers response to expressions of concern and or complaints requiring urgent safeguarding action, advice on the form that action should take and general support for the process.

Deputy Lieutenant (DL) for the County of Devon 2023 - present

Previous roles

  • NHS Consultant Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon 1/1/1995 - 1/9/2017 with Honorary NHS contract to 2023. Independent clinical practice since 1/1/1995 – 10/2/2023
  • Associate Professor in Medical Education, Clinical lead for Anatomy, University of Exeter Medical School
  • Lead for Fitness to Practice BMBS  College of Medicine & Health, University of Exeter Medical School 2018-2023
  • Lead for FTP Regulated Programmes FHLS Sept 23  - present

Personal moments

  • Staff Aureus award for Educational Inspirer from the BMBS students 21/2/2024

  • Nominations over several years by University of Exeter students for Teaching Awards including in 2018 and 2021 for Best Lecturer

  • Staff Aureus award for the Most Inspiring Teacher  (Preclinical) University of Exeter Medical School 2016

  • MacLeod Post Graduate Prize November 2015 Presented by Professor Terence Stephenson GMC Chairman and Provost of The University of Exeter, Professor Janice Kay

  • National NHS Hero (2013) awarded by Sir David Nicholson presented by Trust Chairman James Brent

Qualifications

  • MB ChB (Leeds) 1982
  • FRCS (Eng) 1987
  • FRCS (Plast) 1993
  • PG Cert Clin Ed (2017)
  • PG Dip Clin Ed (2018)
  • SFHEA (2018)
  • DL (2023)

                                 

Career

Previous academic appointments

University of Exeter Medical School

  • Clinical lead anatomy discipline group 2013 - 2023
  • Responsible Person BMBS 2018-2023
  • Specialty lead for Plastic Surgery 2013 - 2017
  • Special Study Unit organizer and provider (Wound Healing) 2013 - 2017
  • Professional Development Group Tutor (Year 3)  2017 - 2018
  • Small Group Facilitator (Year 3)  2013 - 2014
  • Academic Tutor (Year 4) 2013 - 2014
  • Academic Tutor (Year 2) 2013 - 2016
  • Pathway provider Specialist Surgery (Year 5)  2013 - 2017

Peninsula College of Medicine & Dentistry

  • Specialty lead for Plastic Surgery 2004 - 2012
  • Special Study Unit organizer and provider (Wound Healing) 2004 - 2012
  • Small Group Facilitator 2011 - 2012
  • Academic Tutor (Year 4) 2011 - 2012
  • Pathway provider Specialist Surgery (Year 5) 2008 - 2012
  • Hon Senior Clinical Lecturer 2004 - 2012

Links

Back to top

Research

Research interests

Research in progress around FTP

An application is currently being developed via Exeter Worktribe between myself, Prof Paul Lian (Occupational Health physician)and Dr Alice Osborne (Director of Student Support). The study is a partnership between the NHS and University of Exeter to support the translation of research into student support and well-being activities. The collaborative retrospective study proposes to analyse data from the Clinical Practice Review Group (formerly Health & Conduct Committee).

By analysing this data in more detail we aim to answer the RQ ““What are the risk factors that can help identify students who need more support?” by reviewing retrospective anonymised data we already retain. This has not been looked at before and is a vital opportunity to  optimize support structures for students by identifying those likely to need it most.

  1. We would be fulfilling one of the terms of reference from this group to gather, monitor and collate information for internal quality management processes.
  2. We should be able to develop a 'risk matrix' to support those students that require additional support and help at an early stage to facilitate their undergraduate training.
  3. We can develop tailored wellbeing and academic support mechanisms and strategies for each group.
  4. We can underpin strategy 2030 building on interdisciplinary culture to support human health and wellbeing.

Research projects

Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity & wider citizenship


Recognizing the need to promote and foster a safe and welcoming University environment in the Southwest, not always known for diversity, a series of short videos was created to showcase student and staff experience. The authentic conversations produced by the University of Exeter, share narratives from persons of colour and outline strategies to recognize, manage and confront microaggressions and racism, together with a suggested toolkit, and are available on vimeo for students and staff.

Confronting racism intro video  https://vimeo.com/752274150/b558b71397    

Vikram Devaraj & Cameron

Back to top

Publications

Journal articles

Chumbley SD, Devaraj VS, Mattick K (2021). An Approach to Economic Evaluation in Undergraduate Anatomy Education. Anat Sci Educ, 14(2), 171-183. Abstract.  Author URL.
Stevinson C, Devaraj VS, Fountain-Barber A, Hawkins S, Ernst E (2017). Homeopathic Arnica for Prevention of Pain and Bruising: Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial in Hand Surgery. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 96(2), 60-65.
Stone CA, Palmer JH, Saxby PJ, Devaraj VS (2017). Reducing non-attendance at outpatient clinics. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 92(3), 114-118.
Chan W-Y, Moonesamy V, Devaraj V (2016). The mermaid procedure for a complex hand anomaly. J Hand Surg Eur Vol, 41(3), 347-348.  Author URL.
Chan WY, Moonesamy V, Devaraj VS (2014). Osteoarthritis after cold injuries. European Journal of Plastic Surgery, 37(9), 509-512. Abstract.
AHMAD Z, DEVARAJ VS, JENKINS JPR, SILVER DAT (2014). Penetrating injury from laminated glass — a trap for the unwary. British Journal of Radiology, 82(978), e114-e116.
Ahmad Z, Devaraj VS, Conn DA (2011). Finding the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh. JOURNAL OF PLASTIC RECONSTRUCTIVE AND AESTHETIC SURGERY, 64(9), 1254-1255.  Author URL.
Stevinson C, Devaraj V, Fountain‐Barber A, Hawkins S, Ernst E (2010). Homoeopathic arnica for postoperative complications: randomised placebo‐controlled trial. Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 7(1), 110-110.
Dickson JK, Mills C, Devaraj V (2010). Surgical tip: Simple technique for harvesting split thickness skin grafts from degloved skin. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg, 63(2).  Author URL.
Gilleard O, Silver D, Ahmad Z, Devaraj VS (2010). The accuracy of ultrasound in evaluating closed flexor tendon ruptures. European Journal of Plastic Surgery, 33(2), 71-74.
Baden JM, Conn D, Devaraj V (2010). Use of short-acting local anesthetics in hand surgery patients. J Hand Surg Am, 35(5), 863-864.  Author URL.
Gilleard O, Stone C, Devaraj V (2009). Synovial sarcoma within the carpal tunnel of a child: sentinel lymph node biopsy and microvascular reconstruction. J Hand Surg Eur Vol, 34(3), 405-406.  Author URL.
Varey AHR, Hughes JMF, Devaraj VS (2009). Use of the A3 pulley as an interposition flap to cover periosteal defects. Journal of Hand Surgery: European Volume, 34(4), 542-543.
O'Neill JK, Devaraj V, Silver DAT, Sarsfield P, Stone CA (2007). Extranodal lymphomas presenting as soft tissue sarcomas to a sarcoma service over a two-year period. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg, 60(6), 646-654. Abstract.  Author URL.
O'Neill JK, Stone CA, Sarsfield P, Smith M, Smithson SF, Silver D, Devaraj VS (2005). An Association of Multiple Well Differentiated Liposarcomas, Lipomatous Tissue and Hereditary Retinoblastoma. Sarcoma, 9(3-4), 151-156.
Awasthi R, O'Neill JK, Keen CE, Sarsfield PTL, Devaraj VS, Stone CA, Smith MEF (2005). Biphasic solitary fibrous tumour: a report of two cases with epithelioid features. Virchows Archiv, 448(3), 306-310.
O'Neill JK, Barrett JA, Cobley T, Devaraj V, Silver DAT (2005). Neurotized free muscle flaps can produce MRI changes mimicking tumour recurrence. Sarcoma, 9(3-4), 133-136. Abstract.
Stevinson C, Devaraj VS, Fountain-Barber A, Hawkins S, Ernst E (2003). Homeopathic arnica for prevention of pain and bruising: randomized placebo-controlled trial in hand surgery. J R Soc Med, 96(2), 60-65. Abstract.  Author URL.
Cobley TDD, Silver DAT, Devaraj VS (2003). Ultrasound-guided steroid injection for osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint of the thumb. European Journal of Plastic Surgery, 26(1), 47-49.
Devaraj VS (2002). Fundamental techniques of plastic surgery and their surgical applications, tenth edition +221; ill. Price £49.95Alan D.McGregorIan A.McGregor2000Harcourt Publishers Limited0-443-06372-9xii. Journal of Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, 55(2).
Soldin MG, Smith MJ, Grob M, Devaraj VS (2001). Compression of the motor branch of the median nerve by the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery. European Journal of Plastic Surgery, 24(2), 96-97.
Smith SP, Devaraj VS, Bunker TD (2001). The association between frozen shoulder and Dupuytren’s disease. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 10(2), 149-151. Abstract.
Devaraj VS (2000). Decision-making in reconstructive surgery: upper extremity +240; ill. Price DM 349.00, £134.00,$199.00G.GermannR.ShermanL.S.Levin2000Springer VerlagNew York, USA3-540-64077-0xv. Journal of Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, 53(7).
Stone CA, Wright H, Devaraj VS, Clarke T, Powell R (2000). Healing at skin graft donor sites dressed with chitosan. Journal of Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, 53(7), 601-606.
Devaraj VS (2000). Mononeuropathies: Examination, diagnosis and treatment + 243; ill. Price £35.00A.StaalJ.van GijnF.Spaans1999WB Saunders0-7020-1779-5ix. Journal of Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, 53(6).
Oliver DW, Halim AS, Devaraj VS (1999). Suture repair of nail bed lacerations – macro or micro: does it really matter?. European Journal of Plastic Surgery, 22(2-3), 142-143.
Fahmy FS, Evans DM, Devaraj VS (1998). Microdrilling of digital calcinosis. European Journal of Plastic Surgery, 21(7), 378-380.
Halim AS, Stone CA, Devaraj VS (1998). The Hyphecan cap: a biological fingertip dressing. Injury, 29(4), 261-263.

Back to top

External Engagement and Impact

Other

Deputy Lieutenant in the County of Devon

The Lord-Lieutenant and his Lieutenancy team represent and uphold the dignity of the Crown and celebrates the achievements of the people of Devon and their service to others.

The Lieutenancy helps to promote Devon communities, culture, services, heritage, business and charitable success while drawing attention to those addressing challenges and problems in the County. It also has a role in supporting the three Services and, in particular, the Reserve forces and cadets.

Activity includes  

  • Arranging visits of members of the Royal Family and escorting Royal visitors as appropriate
  • The presentation of medals and awards on behalf of His Majesty The King to celebrate the achievements of the people of Devon and their service to others. This includes Honours and Awards, The King’s Award for Enterprise and The King’s Award for Voluntary Service
  • Participation in civic and social activity within the county; this includes encouragement of a wide range of voluntary activity.
  • Helping to promote Devon communities, culture, services, heritage, business and charitable success while drawing attention to those who make this happen and address challenges and problems in the county.
  • Liaison with local units of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, including reserve forces and cadets.
  • Leadership of the local magistracy via the Advisory Committee on Justices of the Peace, in liaison with the Ministry of Justice

Back to top

Edit Profile