Prof. Andrew Bush was awarded the honorary doctorate title. Photo: VU MF
“Starting from my first visit to the university, this is a journey that took 50 years. I can’t imagine anything better! The journey is by no means over, but the honour of being awarded an honorary doctorate by Vilnius University (VU) is the highest achievement in my career to date. I wish to extend my gratitude to Vilnius University, Lithuania and Lithuanians, for this honour and although I am not worthy, I appreciate it beyond measure!” proclaimed Professor Andrew Bush. On the 10 May, following the recommendation of the Faculty of Medicine at Vilnius University, at a meeting of the Vilnius University Senate, the professor was awarded the honorary doctorate title.
In his appreciation speech, Professor Bush expressed his gratitude to Professor Valiulis for the opportunity to cooperate, and how happy he is that Lithuania has become, not only a place for his research activities, but now holds a special place in his heart. The professor noted he hoped to have the strength and health to continue with the work started in Lithuania, and at the end of the speech, he thanked all the participants, closing with, “thank you” in Lithuanian. The ceremony for awarding the honorary doctorate to the professor, ended with a musical piece composed by his father.
Biography
Professor Andrew Bush was born into a musical family. His father was a famous British composer, a popular BBC radio presenter, and a researcher who taught at the universities of Oxford and London. However, as the professor likes to joke, musical talent has always evaded him. After graduating from high school, Bush enrolled to study Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, but later, re-entered the medical degree programme. He met his future wife, Sue, while he was studying there. They have been together for over 47 years, raised 5 children and have 6 grandchildren.
The professor’s career started on an unusual trajectory. He initially worked in the field of adult chest diseases, then for almost 5 years he worked in the Clinical Physiology Unit of the Royal Bromton Hospital, where he had the opportunity to learn from the legendary, Professor David Denison. The research programme became more and more orientated towards paediatrics. He was greatly influenced by cardiologist Elliott Shinebourne, one of the greatest specialists of his generation. Following the successful defence of his doctoral dissertation, Bush decided not to pursue his career at the Royal Brompton Hospital, but, instead, work with another legend of the time, Professor Osmond Reynolds. Professor Bush returned to Brompton in 1991 to serve as a consultant and lecturer and has worked there ever since.
The areas in which the professor’s research is focused, include the response of the human body to hypoxic and infectious stress, the adaptive mechanisms of a child’s body, and the study of early markers in bronchial asthma, as a model of chronic disease. Professor Bush has published over 650 peer-reviewed scientific articles, and published or contributed to the publication of 120 books and monographs. It is estimated that his scientific work has been cited over 55,000 times. It is important to note that the professor has also performed editorial duties in such medical journals as Thorax, Pediatric Pulmonology, Pediatric Respiratory Reviews, and the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, and he has also worked as the Editor in Chief at Critical Care Medicine.
The meeting of the Vilnius University Senate was held at Church of St Johns. Photo: VU MF
Cooperation with Vilnius University
Bush started cooperating with Vilnius University in 1990, after he had received an invitation from Professor Arūnas Valiulis to give a lecture in Lithuania. In 1994, together with the scientists of Vilnius University, he initiated the establishment of the Vilnius International Conference-School of Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergology. More than 9,000 medics have expanded their knowledge, attending the continuing professional development courses organized by this school.
In 1998, the professor was one of the founders of the journal, Vaikų Pulmonologija ir Alergologija (Children’s Pulmonology and Allergology), published by Vilnius University. He performed the duties of the Editor in Chief at the journal, writing over 45 articles. This journal has for a long time been the only publication dedicated to paediatricians in the Baltic countries and has played a major role in achieving the research standards established by the European Union. In 2010, Professor became a member of the editorial board and co-author of the journal Acta Medica Lituanica, a joint publication by Vilnius University and the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences. Subsequently, in 2012, he was elected an international member of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences.
It is important to note that the professor, who has earned the honorary doctorate of Vilnius University, has made a significant contribution to the reorganization of Lithuania’s child healthcare. He advised on the preparation of the first paediatric residency programme of the Faculty of Medicine at Vilnius University, the validation of paediatric sub-specialties and the preparation of the quality standards for pulmonology. In addition, he is one of the initiators and co-authors of methodological guidelines for cystic fibrosis, asthma, pneumonia and other respiratory diseases in Lithuanian children.
Prof. Bush provides free consultations to children with chronic and severe diseases in Vilnius and London. In 2019, he initiated a remote e-consultation platform for sick children, connecting the Children’s Disease Clinic of Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos and the Royal Brompton Hospital in London.
