Ms Carin van Doorn (Consultant Congenital Cardiac Surgeon at Leeds Children’s Hospital) has been awarded Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours list. Carin is recognised for her enormous contribution to children’s heart surgery both in the UK and overseas including extensive charity work, over the course of a distinguished career.
Born in the Netherlands, Carin trained as a cardiac surgeon here in Yorkshire before specialising in Congenital Heart Surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Carin has worked at Leeds Children’s Hospital since 2013 where she has led the Congenital Cardiac Surgery Team, operating on thousands of children and young people affected by congenital heart disease.
Under her leadership the service in Leeds expanded its program for complex neonatal cardiac surgery and also became one of the largest UK programs for adult congenital heart surgery. As a senior surgeon, trainer and lecturer Carin is known for supporting for her colleagues and members of the wider multidisciplinary team. Carin has also held various national roles in the field of Congenital Cardiac Surgery, championing innovation and improved outcomes for children and young people.
‘We are absolutely delighted that Carin has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours. Over her distinguished career, Carin has saved countless lives and touched many more. She has made an outstanding contribution to congenital cardiac services here at Leeds Teaching Hospitals and we are incredibly proud of her achievements’
– Dr Magnus Harrison (Chief Medical Officer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust)
Carin’s OBE also recognises her extensive charity work in the UK and overseas. She is a long-standing trustee of Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) who support families affected by congenital heart disease with a holistic family support service including parent accommodation, as well as providing support to the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit through medical equipment, ward facilities, NHS roles and research.
‘We are incredibly proud to see Carin honoured with an OBE. Her dedication to saving children’s lives through heart surgery goes far beyond her expertise in the operating theatre – it’s her kindness, passion and tireless commitment that make such a difference to families facing incredibly tough challenges. Carin embodies our vision at Children’s Heart Surgery Fund – empowered lives for everyone born with heart disease in our region – and this recognition is so well deserved.’
– Ruth Davany (CEO of CHSF)
Carin has also led numerous surgical missions for the Chain of Hope charity, performing cardiac surgery for paediatric patients in less developed countries. As a surgical trainer and educator for the Magdi Yacoub Foundation she helped establish the Aswan Heart Centre in Egypt.
Following the announcement at the weekend on hospital and charity social media channels, hundreds of patients and families have commented to share their congratulations and thanks with Carin. Many have shared their personal experiences and how Carin’s work has impacted on their lives, including families supported by Children’s Heart Surgery Fund.