Swansea Bay staff named in King's Birthday Honours
Two members of Swansea Bay University Health Board (SBUHB) have been named in the King’s Birthday Honours list.
Plastic surgeon, Professor Iain Whitaker, and Lymphoedema nurse, Karen Morgan, have been award the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and British Empire Medal (BEM) respectively.
Professor Iain Whitaker is an honorary consultant plastic surgeon at the Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery at Morriston Hospital.
Karen Morgan is the National Lymphoedema Education and Research Lead at Lymphoedema Wales, based in Cimla Hospital.
The King’s Birthday Honours list recognises the achievements and service of people across the UK, from all walks of life.
Professor Whitaker, who also holds the Chair of Plastic Surgery in Swansea University Medical School, was appointed OBE in recognition of his services to plastic surgery (clinical, research and training).
He said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this award and am thankful for the recognition for more than 20 years of work within the specialty of plastic surgery.
“I would like to thank all those involved in my nomination and acknowledge that this is also a reflection of the achievements and contributions of the organisations, communities and individuals that I work with.
“My aim has been to work tirelessly to investigate ways to improve patient care, whilst building a multidisciplinary team and inspiring the brightest and the best surgeons in training to come to Wales and raise the profile of the nation.”
Karen Morgan was awarded the honour for services to lymphoedema care.
She said: “I was and still am very shocked and emotional about receiving the notification about this prestigious award.
"I have worked within SBUHB since I first qualified as a nurse in 1989 and as you know the National Lymphoedema Team are hosted by the health board.
“I am very proud of the health board so to raise its profile and that of Lymphoedema Wales Clinical Network (LWCN) is amazing.”
Swansea Bay CEO, Abigail Harris, congratulated the pair.
She said: “I would like to congratulate Professor Whitaker and Karen Morgan for their inclusion in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours list.
“They have both been recognised for excellence in their chosen fields and humbly acknowledge the support of their colleagues in achieving such regal recognition.
“It’s always pleasing to see talented and dedicated clinicians being able to flourish here in Swansea Bay as it not only offers encouragement to others but reassures our patients that they are in the best of hands.”
Health board Chair, Jan Williams, added: “I would like to add my warmest congratulation to Karen and Iain for their much deserved honours.
“It’s always a joy to see the efforts of our staff being recognised on a national level.
“It’s particularly nice to see them recognise the contribution of their colleagues as we all know that we are blessed in Swansea Bay to have such a hardworking, dedicated workforce.”
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