NHS Grampian Surgeon receives national award

A NHS Grampian surgeon, who treats patients from Moray and Aberdeenshire, has been named UK trainer of the year in his speciality.

Terry Lowe, who works in the health board’s Oral and Maxillofacial Department – a branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the mouth, jaws, face and neck – was given the accolade by the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, after being nominated by trainees.

Mr Lowe said: “I have a longstanding association with teaching and training in surgery and I’ve been an appointed trainer for higher surgical trainees and junior doctors for the last 20 years.

“Teaching and training is a passion of mine and to be nominated for this award by trainees themselves is a great honour and privilege. There are many good trainers out there who also deserve this recognition, so I feel very fortunate to receive this.”

Within his role, Mr Lowe is an educational and clinical supervisor for Higher Surgical Trainees and Junior doctors and is involved in teaching both undergraduates and postgraduates. He also has faculty roles within the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh and Glasgow. He is a Specialty Examiner in maxillofacial surgery and is a national and international examiner in general surgery.

Mr Lowe added: “I’ve trained and examined colleagues nationwide for many years, both in general surgery and mainly within Oral and Maxillofacial surgery”.

“Our speciality which involves treatment of disorders of the head, neck, face, mouth and jaws has a uniquely longer training program compared to other specialties because of the need for a dual qualification in both Dentistry and Medicine. Over the last ten years we’ve been working very hard to improve training and streamline the pathway for trainees without diluting training quality.

“It’s part of my role to encourage young colleagues to follow this career path, and to present the great opportunities that our specialty has to offer. I would like to think that I have managed to achieve this in the past and perhaps this award is acknowledgment of that.

He added: “As a surgeon, in everyday practice, I take great pleasure and pride in passing forward my knowledge and skills which were imparted to me through my own mentors.

“That said, training has changed markedly over the years and for the better. Trainees are very well supported with their training becoming more structured, and reflective. It has been very rewarding to be involved in these educational reforms over the years.”