We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Therese Savithri Silva has joined ECS.education as our newest adviser. With over four decades of experience in the medical field as an Anaesthetist in the UK, Dr. Silva brings a wealth of knowledge and a passionate commitment to advancing Endocannabinoid System (ECS) education in medical curricula worldwide.
A Distinguished Career in Medicine and Beyond
Dr. Silva’s journey in medicine began at the prestigious Faculty of Medicine at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, where she graduated with honors in 1979. Her career in the UK’s National Health Service spanned an impressive 40 years, progressing from Senior House Officer to Consultant Anaesthetist at Wexham Park Hospital in Slough.
Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Silva has demonstrated a strong commitment to community service and global healthcare initiatives:
- Olympic Medical Team Leader: Chosen by the London Olympic Organizing Committee, Dr. Silva served as a Medical Team Leader for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. She managed medical emergencies for athletes and VIPs, including royal family members, during rowing events at Dorney.
- Vision Bharat UK: As part of this eye charity based in the UK, Dr. Silva has been involved in fundraising and organizing eye camps in underprivileged communities in Delhi (2017) and Sri Lanka (2018).
- Ongoing Volunteerism: Currently, Dr. Silva volunteers at Wexham Park Hospital, focusing on data collection and patient satisfaction surveys, continuing her commitment to improving healthcare services.
Discovering the Endocannabinoid System
In 2019, at the Europe CBD expo, Dr. Silva first learned about the Endocannabinoid System. This revelation sparked a new passion in her career. She quickly recognized the critical gap in medical education regarding this vital physiological system and its potential applications in healthcare.
Pioneering Medical Cannabis Prescribing
Following the legalization of medical cannabis in the UK in 2018, Dr. Silva completed specialized training to become eligible for prescribing medical cannabis. She then went on to work at My Access Clinic in the UK, putting her newfound knowledge into practice.
A Mission for Change
Five years after her initial discovery of the ECS, Dr. Silva attended Cannabis Europa London 2024, hoping to see progress in medical cannabis prescribing and ECS education. To her dismay, she found that the knowledge gap she had identified years earlier had only widened.
This realization has fueled Dr. Silva’s current mission: to improve ECS education in medical schools around the world. As we speak, she is visiting her alma mater in Sri Lanka, advocating for the integration of ECS knowledge into the physiology and pharmacology curricula.
Joining Forces with ECS.education
Dr. Silva’s expertise, passion, and mission align perfectly with the goals of ECS.education. Her role as an adviser will be instrumental in our efforts to bridge the knowledge gap in medical education regarding the Endocannabinoid System.
“We are honored to have Dr. Silva join our advisory team,” says Stefan Broselid, founder of ECS.education. “Her extensive clinical experience, combined with her pioneering work in medical cannabis prescribing, and her dedication to global health initiatives, brings a unique and valuable perspective to our mission.”
Looking Ahead
With Dr. Silva on board, ECS.education is poised to make significant strides in integrating comprehensive ECS education into medical curricula worldwide. Her expertise will be crucial in engaging with medical institutions and advocating for curriculum changes. Dr. Silva’s current efforts in Sri Lanka represent just the beginning of what we anticipate will be a global transformation in medical education, with her guidance helping to shape our international outreach strategies.
Stay tuned for updates on Dr. Silva’s work and other exciting developments as we continue our mission to advance understanding of the Endocannabinoid System and its crucial role in human health.
To keep up with our progress and receive the latest news on ECS education, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.
Dr Silva’s LinkedIn profile: