Professor Eardley joined Chester Medical School as Clinical Dean in 2025 as a key clinical leader to develop the MB ChB programme to support and shape the next generation of doctors.

She graduated from Liverpool Medical School in 1998 folowing which she trained as a surgeon within the Mersey region. This included spending two years working in pancreatic cancer research at the University of Liverpool having been awarded a Royal College of Surgeons of England Research Fellowship. She was awarded an MD for her research.

After being awarded her CCT in General Surgery, specialising in Colorectal Surgery, Nicola spent a year in Toronto gaining further specialist experience in colorectal surgery having been awarded a Royal College of Surgeons of England Travelling Fellowship. After this she returned to the North West to take up a consultant post at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in 2013.

Alongside her clinical work, education has been a defining theme throughout Nicola's career. She spent many years as Clinical Subdean for the University of Liverpool MBChB programme at the Countess of Chester Hospital, supporting undergraduate teaching and helping students build confidence and capability in the clinical environment. She later moved into the role of Director of Medical Education, broadening her involvement across all stages of medical training. Beyond the hospital, Nicola has worked nationally and internationally on educational initiatives within projects that have strengthened both her passion for teaching and her understanding of how to support learners at every level.

In recognition of her contribution to medical education and her long-standing relationship with the University of Liverpool, Nicola was awarded the title of Honorary Associate Clinical Professor in 2022. She was awarded the title of Honorary Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Chester in 2025.

Nicola is delighted to support Chester as her local medical school, and her experience as a clinician, educator, and regional collaborator places her in a strong position to promote high-quality, student-centred education. Please do feel free to reach out to her if you feel she can help in any way. 

For any queries, students can contact medicine@chester.ac.uk