Holly Morris, Chief Medical Officer of Revolution-ZERO and a Trauma and Orthopaedic surgeon by background, specializes in the management of hand and wrist problems. Currently working in the prestigious Pulvertaft Hand Centre, Holly has a special interest in the management of paediatric and congenital hand pathology.
In addition, Holly has a particular interest in the circular economy of ethically sourced, sustainable textiles used within healthcare. During her basic surgical training, she developed a fascination with textile engineering and has continued to develop this. Holly has contributed guidance to the Green Surgery Report and also sits on the medical textile working group of the European Division of Health Care Without Harm.
The Inspiration Behind Holly’s Career Choice
“I chose my career based on what I enjoy doing. I grew up in a family of engineers and spent my childhood taking things apart and building them. I do the same now as a surgeon! Living through the Christchurch Earthquake, whilst working in New Zealand, made me realize that nothing in life is predictable. I’ve taken calculated risks with career moves since this point and as a result, have managed to develop interests in two different fields,” expresses Holly.
Holly is a Fellow of both the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the Textile Institute and has spent her career working between both the surgical field and the medical textile field. She co-authored the textbook “Medical Textiles” with Professor Richard Murray which updated the field and redefined its areas.
The Covid-19 pandemic generated a significant quantity of contaminated waste from personal and protective equipment. This, a new impetus from the surgical world on the importance of increasingly sustainable solutions, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals led her to undertake research and work on improving the footprint of textiles used in healthcare.
“I was headhunted for my position as Chief Medical Officer with Revolution-ZERO based on my interest and previous work in this area,” asserts Holly.
The Progress of Revolution-ZERO
The medical textile sector is the fastest-growing sector of the technical textile industry. It was valued at 24.7 billion USD in 2020 and has a CAGR of 4.5%. Advances in technology and manufacturing capabilities combined with an increasing need for products for an aging and growing population are some of the factors driving this expansion. The need to meet environmental targets will see an increase in sustainable solutions.
The progress that Revolution-ZERO has realized to date has set it in a position to be the dominant global market leader in reusable Class I textile-based medical device technologies for decades to come.
Revolution-ZERO is displacing the global single-use PPE and related medical textiles market with more effective, economic, and sustainable alternatives. Revolution-ZERO utilizes circular economy principles where the end game is for resources to be continuously cycled and tightly controlled in an increasingly efficient system. The company provides technology-enabled solutions for Net Zero reusable textiles which are both scalable and transferable across healthcare settings.
“I am excited to have such an integral role as we grow and develop new technologies, methods, and systems to enable a new and truly sustainable medical textiles industry,” says Holly.
Revolution-ZERO works alongside the NHS, academia, and industry to develop circular solutions for reusable textiles that address both the decontamination of used textiles and inherent issues with end-of-life treatment. Phase 1 rollout projects in NHS Trusts have demonstrated both operational feasibility and significant reductions in the environmental footprint of regulated textiles.
Has a Purpose: What is Next?
“There is much scope to improve the delivery of sustainable healthcare to our patients at a local, national, and international level and I would like to see this positive change in the next phase of my career. Whilst I sit on international committees, I also sit on my hospital’s environmental committee which means that I can help drive and ensure change is happening in my direct practice,” says Holly.
The Journey to Success
Trauma and orthopaedic surgery, whilst being the second largest surgical specialty, has a significant gender disparity with only 7% of consultant surgeons being female. Times are changing and predictions estimate gender parity by 2070. “I have always been surprised at how supportive my male colleagues have been and I wouldn’t hesitate in encouraging anyone, male or female, from pursuing the career,” says Holly.
“I will be forever grateful to my mentors throughout my career. They are critical to success and will challenge and push you in ways you may not have considered,” she continues.
Signing off Advice with Work-Life Balance
First, Holly believes; it is really important to encourage others to participate believing that everyone can offer a valuable perspective on problems, solutions, direction, and growth. She enjoys mentoring juniors and encouraging their growth and development. Secondly, she enjoys learning and surrounding herself with people who teach you.
Every leader requires dedication and the ability to handle setbacks and failure with grace. Integrity and honesty are vitally important and with that comes the responsibility of sometimes having to have frank and challenging conversations. Female leaders need to ensure that they don’t succumb to imposter syndrome and lack the confidence and conviction to make, what can at times be, hard decisions.
“Surgical training requires discipline and grit. It is an endurance marathon rather than a fast sprint. Staying healthy yourself is vital and so eating well and exercising regularly, and having a strong network of friends is important. I have outsourced home chores but still block out time in my diary to ensure I don’t neglect relationships with those close to me,” ensures Holly.
