Professor Nadey S. Hakim is a British transplant surgeon and author. With over 30 years as a surgeon, Hakim has performed over 2,000 transplants. He was part of the team of surgeons that performed the world's first hand transplant in France. Hakim received his MD from Paris Descartes University in 1984. He did his surgical training at Guy's Hospital, and received his PhD in small bowel transplantation from University College London. His Gastrointestinal Fellowship was at the Mayo Clinic and his Multi-organ Transplant Fellowship was at the University of Minnesota.
Nadey was surgical director of the West London Renal and Transplant Centre at Hammersmith Hospital. There, he pioneered a kidney transplant technique using a record breaking 2.5cm cut. Additionally, he is an advisor on transplant issues to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and an examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Nadey has edited 23 surgical textbooks and served as the 35th World President of the International College of Surgeons. In January 2016, President Francois Hollande appointed Professor Hakim to the rank of Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur. Hakim was appointed Vice-President of the International Medical Sciences Academy.
He has four children. Plays the clarinet and records his music (8 CDs). Portrait sculptor and winner of the Baron's Prize, Medical Art Society 2016. In addition, Nadey reproduced Michelangelo Buonarroti’s David which is part of the Madonna del Parto Museum collection; in 2003 made a bust of Queen Elizabeth II; in 2014 unveiled a bronze bust he sculpted of Prime Minister David Cameron at the Carlton Club in London.
1) What is your current position?
Professor of Transplantation Surgery at Imperial College London. Governor of the American College of Surgeons and Vice President of the International Medical Sciences Academy.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
Have pioneered Pancreas Transplantation for the cure of Diabetes in the SE of England having performed the first Pancreas Transplant at St Mary’s Hospital in 1995 and having done since over 350 such transplants. I was part of the team which performed the first arm transplant in the world in 1998. I was the surgical Director of the Transplant Unit at Imperial College from 1995 to 2014. I was elected the youngest ever World President of the International College of Surgeons based in Chicago in 2004. Recently I have been elevated to the Rank of Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur by the French President. Above all having 4 fabulous successful children and a loving wife who is very forgiving.
3) What inspires you?
Seeing my father aged 93 still going to the office on a daily basis carrying his business the way he has done for the last 70 years is the most inspiring thing as it does not allow me to complain about hard work when I am 35 years younger
4) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
The envy and jealousy of colleagues who are ready to do anything to destroy my reputation. Success does not come easy. Colleagues who you train and teach for years and expect to be grateful are the first to try to hurt you when they cannot achieve the same goals. Beware…
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
The surgeons I have trained with in particular Mr Max Rendall FRCS who was the Clinical Superintendent at Guy’s Hospital when I was a student. It is thanks to him that I have progressed as he has believed in my surgical skills and has given me the opportunity to get the proper training.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
Being a surgeon is the most gratifying profession as thanks to the numerous procedures I have learned and practiced over the years and which have become second nature I am able to make people better quickly and not infrequently save their lives.
7) And the worst?
Long hours which do not allow enough quality time with the family.
8) What are your long term goals?
I do not believe in retirement. I will carry on working until my last day on this planet. Getting recognised by my peers is the most satisfying goal.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I would be more approachable.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni who was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect, and poet of the High Renaissance who exerted an unparalleled influence on the development of Western art. I would spend my time learning from him sculpting techniques.
