Yitka Graham is a Professor of Health Services Research and Head of the Helen McArdle Nursing and Care Research Institute at the University of Sunderland. Her research focuses on the patient experiences of living with metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) and the stigma of obesity. She also has a keen interest in research exploring workforce development for multidisciplinary teams in obesity and MBS care.
Professor Graham works one day a week in the MBS Unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital, working with bariatric surgeons and the wider MDT on research projects to improve patient care and outcomes. She works collaboratively with colleagues in Spain, Argentina and Mexico to explore obesity stigma and MBS care and how learning and best practice can be shared across cultures and healthcare systems.
Graham is a Trustee of the Association for the Study of Obesity, and is the Chair of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders Integrated Health Professional Guidelines Committee, and the Chair of Trustees for The Upper Gastrointestinal Surgical Society. She is on the editorial boards of four obesity and surgical journals, and hold Visiting Professorships in Argentina and Mexico.
