London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine homepage

Dr

Karen Forrest

Head of Clinical Services

GM-General Administration

Orcid identifier0000-0002-9484-0830
  • Head of Clinical Services
    GM-General Administration

BIO

I am a Consultant Physician with training in gastroenterology and general internal medicine, and I currently serve as the Head of Clinical Services at MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM. I oversee our clinics in Fajara, Keneba, and Basse, managing a team of up to 110 staff. My role focuses on improving care quality, prioritising patient safety, and supporting a range of research projects.
Under my leadership, we have integrated a rural clinic, developed an electronic medical records system, and launched a quality improvement programme. Our department is recognised for its structured training programmes and comprehensive data collection practices. We also work with the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital to offer accredited training posts for Internal Medicine and Family Medicine residents.
I completed a Master's in Theology and Intercultural Studies and am currently pursuing a Master’s in Medical Education. My ongoing aim is to improve healthcare and support research in The Gambia.

LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE AND TROPICAL MEDICINE APPOINTMENTS

  • Head of Clinical Services
    Medical Research Council The Gambia Unit, Clinical Services Department, Banjul, Gambia1 Sep 2016 - present

DEGREES

  • FRCP(London)
    Royal College of Physicians, London, United Kingdom
  • FWACP (Internal Medicine)
    West African College of Physicians, Lagos, Nigeria
  • MA
    Africa International University, Nairobi, Kenya1 Sep 2008 - 31 Jul 2010
  • Postgraduate Certificate of Medical Education
    University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
  • BM.BCh
    University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom31 Jul 1996
  • BA
    University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom31 Jul 1993

REGIONS & COUNTRIES

  • Gambia