Professor Lakhoo received the medal during the 2026 BAPS Annual Congress in Manchester, where she was recognised for a career spanning more than three decades of clinical excellence, surgical education, research, and international leadership in global paediatric surgery.
The medal commemorates Sir Denis Browne (1892–1967), widely regarded as one of the founding pioneers of modern paediatric surgery. Browne was the first President of the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons and devoted his career to establishing surgery for children as a distinct surgical specialty. His innovations transformed the care of congenital anomalies and childhood surgical conditions, while his vision helped shape paediatric surgery into the internationally recognised discipline it is today.
Established in 1968, one year after Sir Denis Browne's death, the Denis Browne Gold Medal has been awarded to many of the world's most distinguished paediatric surgeons. Previous recipients include internationally renowned leaders whose work has transformed paediatric surgery through scientific discovery, surgical innovation, education, and service.
Professor Lakhoo joins this distinguished group in recognition of her exceptional contributions to paediatric surgery in the United Kingdom and especially her exemplary work globally. Throughout her career she has combined excellence in clinical care with an enduring commitment to surgical education, research, and capacity strengthening in low- and middle-income countries. Through long-standing partnerships across Africa and beyond, she has trained generations of paediatric surgeons, established sustainable education and research programmes, and championed equitable access to safe surgical care for children worldwide.
As Head of the Oxford University Global Surgery Group, Professor Lakhoo has led internationally recognised programmes spanning paediatric surgery, trauma, neonatal surgery, and surgical systems strengthening. Her mentorship has supported countless trainees, researchers, and future surgical leaders, while her work has helped establish Oxford as one of the world's leading centres for global paediatric surgery.
Receiving the Denis Browne Gold Medal is fitting recognition of Professor Lakhoo's remarkable career and lifelong dedication to improving the lives of children through surgery. Her contributions continue to influence paediatric surgical practice, education, and research across the world, embodying the values of innovation, compassion, and international collaboration that the award was created to celebrate.