| Christopher William Oliver | |
| Birth Place: | Forest Gate, London, England |
| Occupation: | Surgeon |
| Alma Mater: | University College Hospital, University College London |
| Workplaces: | University of Edinburgh, Napier University |
| Website: | https://cyclingsurgeon.bike/ |
Chris Oliver was an Edinburgh orthopaedic surgeon and professor and was the King James IV Professor at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh 2019-20.[1] Associate Research Fellow at the School of Engineering and Built Environment, Transport Research Institute, Edinburgh Napier University 2018-21.[2] Honorary Professor in Physical Activity for Health at the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre, University of Edinburgh 2015-18.[3] Consultant trauma orthopaedic and hand surgeon at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh 1997-17.
In 1992, Oliver completed a doctorate (MD) from University College London in spinal muscle physiology and artificial intelligence.[4]
Oliver retired due to ill health in 2018 from the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh as a consultant trauma orthopaedic surgeon in the Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, University of Edinburgh.[5] Career was profiled by the British Medical Journal, Careers in July 2018.[6] The Gold Medal Lecture, given at Old Oswestrian's June 2021.
Between 2015-2018 he was honorary Professor of Physical Activity for Health to Physical Activity for Health Research Centre (PAHRC) at the University of Edinburgh.[7]
In October 2016, along with other academics, he signed a letter to the Medical Schools Council and the General Medical Council to highlight the lack of lifestyle education in undergraduate medical curricula across the United Kingdom.[8]
Oliver claims to have authored over 400 publications and presentations. He has written about medical informatics, assessment in medical education, physical activity and orthopaedic surgery.[9]
He was a section editor in the multi-author major trauma section of Oxford Textbook of Fundamentals of Surgery.[10] published in July 2016.
Oliver gained excessive weight during his adult life and at his heaviest was 171 kg (27 stone). In February 2007, he had a LapBand fitted laparoscopically and, by 2011, his weight reduced to 102 kg (12 stone).[11] In 2014, the band snapped and it was later removed.[12] In November 2020, he had an endoscopic gastric bypass.
Oliver was an avid endurance cyclist. In 2013, he cycled 3,415 miles from Los Angeles to Boston, USA, with his daughter, Catherine.[13]
He died 29 July 2023 [14]