Memorial Lecture for Professor Jacques Acar 


Join us on March 23 as we celebrate Professor Jacques Acar's contribution to science and the fight against antimicrobial resistance. In his honour, Dr Dilip Nathwani will give a lecture highlighting the importance of antimicrobial stewardship, surveillance, clinical engagement and education.

"AMR Stewardship: We all have a role to play"

23 March 2021, 8:00-9:30GMT, hosted by Mott MacDonald

Infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance and surveillance were at the heart of Jacques Acar’s lifelong work. An acclaimed clinical microbiologist, Dr Acar was author of over 500 publications and held various global roles on antimicrobial resistance committees including acting as head of the WHO taskforce on AMR and as a member of the French Ministry of Health's AMR committee. He acted as an expert advisor to the Fleming Fund from 2016 until his death in 2020, always championing stewardship and the proper use of antimicrobials. Read his memoriam by Professor Timothy Walsh, here.

In his honour, Dr. Dilip Nathwani will unpack the importance of antimicrobial stewardship, outlining the major challenges of antimicrobial misuse and strategies to improve clinical prescribing practices. Dr. Nathwani will also highlight the importance of context, culture, data/informatics and education to engage and support clinical workers. And he will touch on the importance of global investment in AMR prevention and multilateral collaboration and learning. The lecture will be followed by Q&A. 

Access the lecture below


Speaker Biography

Professor Dilip Nathwani, MB, DTM&H, FRCP, FRSE,OBE

Dr Nathwani is a retired Consultant in Infectious diseases at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee and Honorary Emeritus Professor of Infection at the University of Dundee. He is a passionate global leader in advocating for the pivotal role of healthcare professionals in the response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This stems from a career long interest in improving the practice and outcomes of clinical infection, with a particular focus on promoting prudent use of antibiotics. His work, which began in Scotland now continues at a global level through collaborative networks and is particularly focused low- and middle-income countries, which face the greatest AMR burden.

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Jacques was born in Dakar in 1931 to Lebanese parents. Originally from Deir el-Qamar he lived briefly in Lebanon where he finished his secondary studies at the Notre-Dame de Jamhour College. Jacques left Senegal in 1948 to study at the Faculté de Médecine de Paris. He graduated in 1954 and completed his military service as a field doctor in subSaharan Africa. He was appointed head of the clinic for infectious diseases at the Bichat–Claude Bernard Hospital in Paris in 1962.