David Shaw was Professor of Neurology and Dean of Medicine at the University of Newcastle, who made a significant contribution to the modernization of medical education in the United Kingdom.[3] In 1981 he became dean of medicine at the University of Newcastle, a position he held until 1990.[2] As chairman of the General Medical Council's Education Committee, he led the publication of Tomorrow's Doctors, a landmark report on medical training.[3] Shaw criticized the education system at the time, in which students were overloaded with a lot of facts at the expense of critical thinking and curiosity.[3] His report led to a significant reduction in the scope of the medical curriculum and to a change in approach that allowed students to be in contact with patients from the very beginning of their studies.[3] Shaw was awarded a CBE for his work and was also awarded the title of Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour.[3] He died on August 26, 2025, aged 101.[5]