Dr Alan Bleakley is Emeritus Professor of Medical Education and Medical Humanities at Peninsula Medical School, University of Plymouth UK. He has a background in zoology, psychology, psychotherapy, and pedagogy, and has worked as a psychotherapist. His long career in medical education includes leading the clinical education research department at Peninsula Medical School, where an innovative core, integrated, and assessed medical humanities programme was developed. He has been a leading international figure in both medical education and medical/ health humanities; was past President of the Association for Medical Humanities; and has a publication record that includes over 150 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and 18 academic books. He is a widely published poet with five collections. Alan lives at the most westerly tip of the UK, near Land’s End, with his wife Sue, a visual artist. He enjoys surfing with his children and grandchildren.