Professor Abhay Rane, Consultant Urological Surgeon at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (SASH), has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the Association of Surgeons of India (ASI).
Professor Rane, who has been with SASH for almost 26 years, and is also the Registrar of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, received the award at a meeting of the College’s surgical Fellows during ASICON – the 84th annual conference of the ASI, in the historic city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh, home to the Taj Mahal.
He was awarded the Honorary Fellowship for his outstanding contribution to surgery and the long-standing friendship between the Royal College and the Association.
At SASH, Professor Rane has made strides in the surgical field, notably being an instrumental figure in the first robotic surgical procedure to ever be performed at East Surrey Hospital in 2021. He continues to teach fellow urologists, both at the Trust and overseas, the minimal invasive techniques needed to perform successful robotic surgery.
Professor Rane, who was appointed an OBE by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the 2014 Honours List for services to laparoscopic surgery, said: “The bestowment of an Honorary Fellowship of the Association of Surgeons of India to me was a very poignant occasion. The honour of being recognised in my country of birth was a special, moving and humbling occasion, one that I will remember for the rest of my life.
“I thank my friends at the ASI and our College for the opportunity to interact with the ASI over the course of the many years which has culminated in their recognising the activities that we have done together.”
James Henderson, Chief of Surgery at SASH said: "Professor Rane is a valued colleague and mentor for all at East surrey Hospital. He has trained countless future surgeons in laparoscopic surgery. We are so pleased that his significant contribution to urology and surgery has been recognised through this prestigious award."
Professor Rane graduated from Poona University in India in 1983 and trained in urology in the UK and United States. He was appointed to his current post as Consultant Urological Surgeon at Surrey and Sussex NHS Trust in 1999.