Life-saving international Surgeon Mr Dakshesh Parikh awarded prestigious Gold Medal Denis Browne Award
A huge and well-deserved congratulations to our esteemed colleague Mr Dakshesh Parikh, Paediatric Surgeon from our Children’s Hospital; who earlier this month was awarded the Denis Browne Gold Medal, by the British Association for Paediatric Surgeons (BAPS). This prestigious award is granted annually, to mark outstanding contributions to paediatric surgery worldwide.
The Denis Browne Gold Medal awards first commenced in 1968, one year after the death of the paediatric surgeon Sir Denis Browne, the first President for the BAPS and a pioneer in paediatric surgery who worked at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Mr Parikh is one of only two paediatric surgeons from our Children’s Hospital to receive this award; Mr Sean Corkery received the award for his outstanding contribution to paediatric surgery in 2002.
First gaining his Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery qualification in 1979, Dakshesh Parikh began practicing general surgical training initially in Bombay, India; later moving to UK to learn Paediatric Surgery in 1984. In the UK, Mr Parikh was awarded with his Doctor of Medicine title for his research into Hirschsprung Disease – a gastroenterological condition that affects bowel movement.
Appointed as our Consultant Paediatric Surgeon at our Children’s Hospital in 1995 following his time at NHS Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool, Mr Parikh quickly became a role model for Paediatric Surgery trainees.
Dakshesh said, after learning that he had won the Denis Browne Gold Medal:
“It was never my intention to get recognised or appreciated. But it is a real privilege to be recognised by your peers and colleagues from around the world.”
With an interest in Thoracic surgery - surgery involving the organs within the thoracic cavities - lung, heart and oesophagus, Mr Pa
rikh has become a national and international ambassador for the sub-speciality; producing a number of innovative techniques to further the practice of Thoracic and minimally invasive operations.
Publishing over 18 book chapters, 70 peer-reviewed articles and editing 2 books in Thoracic surgery, our colleague has been a keen representative throughout the years, providing improved quality of care and reducing morbidity for children around the world.
Most recipients of the Denis Browne Gold medals have been exceptional academics and high office bearers within the organisations or Royal colleges. Dakshesh has also been spotlighted, not only as an academic, but as a role model for compassion, inclusion, and education for the next generation of Paediatric Surgeons; guiding both senior colleagues, higher and basic surgical trainees.
Displaying our Trust values, by being ambitious, brave and compassionate, we’d like to extend our thank you and congratulations to Mr Dakshesh Parikh for his outstanding contributions to our Trust and to paediatric practices around the world.
Dakshesh still continues to make waves in our community, despite retiring in 2018, creating a legacy and continuing to inspire our new generation of paediatric surgeons