Urologist recognised as one of top 10 prostate cancer surgeons in the UK

Consultant Urological Surgeon Omer Karim, who practices at BMI The Princess Margaret Hospital in Windsor, has been chosen as one of the UK’s top ten outstanding prostate cancer surgeons in a survey conducted by the Daily Mail. The survey, which canvassed 40 leading urologists, asked just one simple question: If your own nearest and dearest required prostate cancer surgery, to whom would you refer them and why?’ The surgeons named Mr Karim as one of their top 10. In the Daily Mail article that announced the survey result, fellow surgeons said the following of Mr Karim: “[He is] A very good open surgeon, who’s now switched to robotics. Absolutely meticulous with a great technique, he gets into the right spot so that the prostate comes out cleanly, preserving the structures around it which means less blood loss. He is innovative and tries to work out how to adapt his technique to make his operations better. He also has great bedside manner.” Mr Karim was deeply flattered by the accolade, and explained the importance of his field. “Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in men and yet it is still not discussed widely enough in mainstream circles. This recognition, from my peers will hopefully highlight the successful work that both my colleagues and I are undertaking across the UK and encourage more open discussion amongst men around screening and treatment.” Yvette Stembridge, Executive Director of The Princess Margaret Hospital added: “Prostate cancer surgery is a very complex specialty, which not only requires great experience but also a vast amount of skill to ensure patients receive the best possible outcomes for their individual case. We are again very proud that a consultant at The Princess Margaret Hospital has received national recognition for their work from colleagues in their field and are very proud to have such consultants at our hospital. This is a fantastic honour for Mr Karim and very much deserved. He is a brilliant surgeon and highly respected by colleagues, staff and patients alike.” Mr Karim completed his undergraduate medical degree at Charing Cross Hospital Medical School and trained in teaching hospitals in the UK and the USA. Mr Karim has a firm commitment to research, teaching and continuous medical education both in the UK and abroad. He and three colleagues started robotic surgery at St Mary’s in 2004 and he is one of the UK’s few proctors in robotic assisted surgery. He has been teaching surgeons in Bristol, Dublin, Guildford, London, Reading and Stevenage. He regularly attends national and international meetings and is actively involved in training urology Specialist Registrars and fellow consultant surgeons in robotic surgery. Mr Karim has links with and visits urology departments in the Third World. He is keen to encourage exchange visits between the UK and hospitals abroad, fostering opportunities for teaching and training junior urologists for the benefit of patients. In addition, to his clinical activities, Mr Karim is a director of several companies. He is Chairman of one of these companies, an AIM listed medical diagnostic company, which focuses its research and development skills on innovative, point-of-care technology for urology.