Consultant urological surgeon Jean McDonald was named ‘clinical leader of the year’ at the annual Health Service Journal Awards

Jean McDonald (inset) has worked at North Mid since 1995

A surgeon at North Middlesex University Hospital has been named ‘clinical leader of the year’ at a national health service awards ceremony.

Jean McDonald was selected from over 1,300 entries to this year’s Health Service Journal Awards, recognising her “outstanding contribution to healthcare”.

Hired by North Mid in January 1995, Jean became the first black woman to be appointed a consultant urological surgeon in the NHS, and is approaching the completion of three decades as an “inspirational and high-achieving pioneer” within her surgical field.

Jean first developed an interest in urology while working in East Anglia, but in the 1980s there was no specific training programme for the field. While a less tenacious clinician might have been discouraged, Jean turned the situation into a “driving factor” that inspired her to forge a self-determined career that not only expanded the frontiers of representation in urological surgery, but also opened up new pathways for others to follow in her footsteps.

Dr Vicky Jones, medical director and consultant paediatrician at North Mid, said: “We are exceptionally proud of Jean. In addition to her amazing work here at North Mid, her unwavering dedication to improving urological care and treatment capacity globally is exemplified by her commitment to self-funding teaching trips to Senegal and other African nations.

“She devotes weeks at a time to educate clinicians in these health systems in the latest surgical techniques, and exchanging knowledge and skills peer-to-peer, while also offering her own NHS trainees hard-to-come-by opportunities to develop a rich understanding of clinical experience outside the NHS and UK.”

Jean McDonald was presented her award by comedian Dara O’Brien

Jean’s “determination and resolve” saw her identify general surgeons with either skills or interest in urology and urological procedures, and request to come observe them – helping identify the need for educators and mentors in this emerging and crucial sub-specialty of urology.

Throughout 29 years as a consultant urological surgeon, Jean has ensured that mentoring and ongoing development and learning remain high priorities in her busy work schedule, as well living these values outside of work.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.