HONOURS: An Irish-born surgeon and missionary nun was yesterday awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).
Sister Dr Ann Ward is renowned for her work in Nigeria treating women who suffer from a debilitating condition following prolonged and obstructive labour.
Originally from Donegal, Sr Ward is the founder and medical director of the Family Life Centre in Itam-Mbirit, south-east Nigeria and has been a member of the Medical Missionaries of Mary for the past 50 years.
Internationally recognised for her contribution to womens' health, she has been to the forefront in developing surgical techniques for treating vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF).
A woman suffering from VVF experiences severe internal damage, incontinence, acute pain and difficulty when walking. In addition to the mother's physical trauma, her newborn baby usually dies upon delivery.
Sr Ward has performed the highest number of VVF surgical operations ever recorded. More than 3,000 women have been successfully operated on at the Family Life Centre, which also offers post-operative care and rehabilitation for patients.
Meanwhile, two Australian plastic and reconstructive surgeons, Professors Ian Taylor and Wayne Morrison, also received Honorary Fellowships of the RCSI yesterday. Prof Taylor is noted for his new anatomical concepts which have revolutionised the practice of plastic surgery worldwide.
Prof Morrison has been actively involved in plastic and reconstructive surgery for over 30 years and has developed exciting new research areas - an Honorary Fellowship is the highest honour that RCSI can confer to persons it deems to have made outstanding contributions to the medical world or society in general.