Farewell and thank you to Dr Harriet Morgan
In July 2023, Dr Harriet Morgan joined what was then known as the Patient Recruitment Centre: Leicester, now the NIHR Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC), based at the Leicester Diabetes Centre (LDC), for a two-year post as a Clinical Research Physician. She arrived from Tema General Hospital in Ghana, bringing with her a passion for improving diabetes care and a desire to expand her experience in clinical research.
Now, as Harriet prepares to return home to Ghana, we caught up with her to reflect on her time with us—and to celebrate the impact she’s made during her stay.
From the moment she arrived, Harriet felt part of the LDC family.
“I have enjoyed my experience and would gladly do this all over again. From coordinating my arrival and helping me find my initial accommodation, to welcoming me into their homes and guiding me through the clinic and research units, everyone went above and beyond. Many people (shout out to Dr Kong!) even took the time to show me around Leicester.”
Before coming to the UK, Harriet had already made important contributions to diabetes care in Ghana, including helping to develop the country’s first National Guidelines for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus. Her time at LDC allowed her to build on that experience and immerse herself in the world of clinical research.
“Before coming here, my experience was primarily in clinical medicine with limited exposure to research. Since joining, I have gained first-hand knowledge of how clinical trials are run, supported participant recruitment and follow-up, and contributed to high-quality clinical trials that influence clinical practice.
“Regular catchups with Professor Melanie Davies and Professor Claire Meek helped keep me focused, while case discussions with consultants after clinics gave me valuable feedback and exposed me to new aspects of diabetes care. I also learned about diabetes technology, which was completely new to me.”
Professor Melanie Davies, Co-Director of the Leicester Diabetes Centre, praised Harriet’s contribution and dedication:
“It’s been a real pleasure to have Harriet with us. She brought fresh perspectives, a clear commitment to learning, and a deep passion for improving diabetes care. Her presence has enriched our team, and we’re excited to see how she will build on this experience to make a difference back home in Ghana.”
Saying goodbye is bittersweet. While Harriet is excited to reunite with her family, she’ll miss the people and the everyday moments that made her time at LDC so special.
“My family has made many sacrifices for me to be here, and I am eager to reunite with them. But I have truly enjoyed my time at LDC and would gladly do it again. I will miss the small but meaningful moments, like Lisa and Maryam’s warm smiles greeting me every morning, and the creative team who helped me craft an excellent poster for my diabetic foot study group (DFSG) presentation. I hope to take that same spirit of kindness, helpfulness and collaboration with me back home.”
Looking ahead, Harriet is hopeful about the future of diabetes research in Ghana and inspired by what she’s seen in Leicester.
“Often, Sub-Saharan Africa is excluded from research studies. I hope to help establish facilities like LDC in Ghana that work closely with local health systems to deliver impactful clinical trials. I am excited to apply what I have learned and help advance diabetes care and research at home. I also hope to keep close ties with the LDC team, and who knows, maybe one day they will be visiting Ghana to see the progress first-hand!”
Harriet has been a truly valued member of the Leicester Diabetes Centre, and her warmth, dedication, and expertise will be greatly missed. We wish her every success in the next chapter of her journey and look forward to seeing where it takes her.
Professor Melanie Davies, Doctor Harriet Morgan, Professor Claire Meek
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