Noel Fitzpatrick, internationally acclaimed veterinary surgeon and pioneer of prosthetic implants for animals has been awarded an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Surrey. The awards ceremony took place on Wednesday 24 June at Guildford Cathedral.
The degree of Doctor of the University, honoris causa (DUniv), was presented to Mr Fitzpatrick by Pro-Chancellor of the University of Surrey Dr John Forrest and conferred upon him by Pro-Chancellor, Miss Penelope Keith in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the field of surgery and for pioneering the concept of ‘One Medicine’, the fusion of technologies advancing veterinary and human medicine in tandem.
A leading figure in small animal orthopaedics worldwide, Noel Fitzpatrick was the first veterinary surgeon to successfully perform limb salvage on an animal, using an implant which allows the skin and bone to grow into it as a permanent fixation, preventing infection. This pioneering procedure has paved the way for the application of the same technology for humans who have lost arms or legs.
His state-of-the-art life-transforming surgical techniques are performed at Fitzpatrick Referrals in Surrey, a world class centre of excellence where a unique integration of ground breaking science and compassion are giving new hope to owners of animals suffering with severe disability.
On receiving the award, Noel Fitzpatrick commented: “To receive this recognition by the University is obviously a great honour for me, but more importantly is an acknowledgement that the practice means something more than a building, it means ‘making a difference’. I am immensely looking forward to exploring a long and well-founded relationship with the University where the faculties of medical sciences and engineering are ideally positioned to embrace the philosophy of one medicine with me and together I hope that we can take this concept to the next level for the betterment of animals and humans.”
