Leeds surgeon restoring patient's movement and independence

Wednesday, 1 March 2017 16:00

A plastic and reconstructive surgeon working at a Hospital in Leeds has been able to restore movement to patients affected by limb paralysis caused by stroke and brain or nerve injuries. Her work is considered as ground breaking and has the potential of helping hundreds of patients with similar symptoms.

After studying at St Andrews University in Scotland she completed her specialist training in Yorkshire, before gaining further experience in the UK, Taiwan and Sweden. She has been a consultant surgeon since 2010 and was a member of the teams who carried out the UK’s first hand transplant operation in 2012, and first double hand transplant in 2016.

Catherine has stated she wanted to talk about the work she is doing in the run-up to internationals women’s day on the 8^th March as she herself had been inspired by two strong women to pursue a career in medicine.

Catherine said “My sister, Mary Hernon, had also studied medicine and hearing about her experiences inspired me. Then as a medical student in Manchester I did a project on breast reconstruction with Ann Brain a female plastic surgeon. Seeing how plastic surgery could restore physical form and self-esteem, I decided to become a plastic surgeon.”

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