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Professor Ara Darzi
[Archive CMO Feature - Last updated: 14/08/03]
Professor Ara Darzi has pioneered innovative work in the development of minimally invasive surgery - the technique that allows surgeons to operate through small incisions.
Currently he holds the Chair of Surgery at Imperial College and is an Honorary Consultant Surgeon at St. Mary's Hospital NHS trust.
The work of Professor Darzi and his team in the use of simulations and virtual reality is internationally recognised as leading the way in surgical education. In 2001, the team was awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Excellence in Higher and Further Education in recognition for its achievements in pioneering new technologies to address training requirements for trainee surgeons, surgeons in post and other professionals.
Professor Darzi is originally Armenian but studied medicine in Ireland. There he obtained his fellowship in Surgery and a M.D. degree from Trinity College, Dublin. He was subsequently granted the fellowships of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the American College of Surgeons and, more recently, made an Honorary fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians of Glasgow.
His contribution to the NHS has been substantial. He has led on issues related to reconfiguration of surgical services at Kidderminster Hospital and the North East, and published the national guidelines for day care surgery. Recently Professor Darzi was elected to the National Modernisation Board by the Secretary State for Health and currently advises the Government on modernising the NHS. He also chairs the London Modernisation Board.
Professor Darzi was knighted in 2003.
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