Professor gains lifetime achievement award

Professor John Brennan, our Interim Medical Director and Consultant Vascular Surgeon, has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award by the Vascular Society.

The award recognises Professor Brennan’s contribution to vascular surgery over the last 25 years and his role at the forefront of vascular education. Professor Brennan has worked at the Royal since 1997 and in 2021 he was appointed as our Interim Medical Director.

Professor Brennan said: “I am honoured to have been presented with this Lifetime Achievement award. Whilst it is a personal award, it is, of course, a reflection of the outstanding team effort in Liverpool. I have had the pleasure of working with tremendously supportive colleagues and together we have created an excellent service - this award is in recognition of everyone’s contribution. I am incredibly proud of the work we do for our vascular patients. For decades Liverpool has been at the forefront of vascular surgery, and to have played a part in this has been a privilege.”

The Royal was one of the first vascular units in the UK to perform endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) - a minimally invasive keyhole surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm, which can be life threatening if not treated. Prior to EVAR the alternative was major surgery, a much bigger procedure with potential for serious complications.

Mr Michael Jenkins, Consultant Vascular Surgeon at Imperial College Healthcare and Past President of the Vascular Society, presented Professor Brennan with his award. He said: "I was delighted to nominate John for this prestigious Vascular Society award which recognises his enormous contribution to vascular surgery over 25 years. I have worked with John on Council of both British Society of Endovascular Therapy and the Vascular Society, as well as teaching with him on many courses. He has been at the forefront of vascular education for many years and countless trainees owe him a debt of gratitude for his contribution to their training. He is a thoroughly deserving recipient of this award.”

Sue Locke

Congratulations Mr Brennan and so well deserved - your skills saved my husbands life and gave me and my family 10 more precious months with him - thank you x

Stephen Bennett

Congratulations John and thank you. You kindly agreed to assist the surgical team at Alder Hey operate on "the impossible" and remove a huge malignant tumour from my little girl Leah's abdomen back in 2019. She survived the op and two and a half years later she's just come home from playing footbaII with her friends. You guys pushed the boundaries and saved her life that day and I'll never, ever forget what you did. The fact that you came over to Alder Hey to check how she was the day after says it all about you. You are a hero. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Dot Barrow

Congratulations Professor. You are a gift from heaven to me. You have saved my life for over 15 years I can never repay you and you deserve every award. You have sat at bottom of my bed when I was petrified the odds were 50/50 and I trusted you and I am still here. Thank you.

janemullin7

Congratulations on this achievement he saved my dad's life and gave us an extra six very special years with him, I could never thank him enough.