A SOLIHULL cataract surgeon has won a prestigious award for his work with the next generation of ophthalmologists.
Kenan Damer, a consultant ophthalmologist at SpaMedica, has been presented with the Philip I. Murray Outstanding Trainer Award for 2023-2024.
Kenan was nominated by his trainees and was recognised for his dedication to his students, his exceptional attention to detail and his ability to foster a supportive and encouraging learning environment by judges.
The award was presented by the West Midlands School of Ophthalmology.
He said: “Receiving the award was a fantastic surprise! It was an incredible feeling, and I’m deeply grateful for this recognition from my trainees.
“Training for me isn’t just about asking the trainer to copy my skills or simply following instructions; it’s about recognising that mental and emotional responses to surgery are crucial for a successful and safe outcome.
“Establishing a set of safety rules and consistently adhering to them, regardless of the situation, is one of the most important principles in the operating room.”
Originally from Syria, Kenan – who is a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists – completed his medical degree at the University of Damascus, followed by specialist training.
He relocated to the UK in 2010, where he has made contributions to the field of ophthalmology, performing thousands of surgeries as well as holding various positions at the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre and Milton Keynes University Hospital.
He joined SpaMedica in 2019 and took on a training position in 2022.
He credits his own supervisors with shaping his outlook on the profession Kenan said: “I remember one of my consultants saying to treat each eye as if it were the only eye, and that is how I approach teaching my students now.”
