The French government awarded British-Lebanese surgeon Nadey Hakim, 57, France’s Légiond’honneur for his medical work. He was awarded this distinction by French Ambassador to Britain Sylvie Bermann in the presence of Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Lebanon’s ambassador in London InaamOsseiran.

Hakim said he was grateful to the French government for having bestowed on him “this great honor”. Ambassador Bermann delivered an address, saying: “Your whole life has been dedicated to the service of others, and your career and research have saved many lives around the world,” thanks to his extensive experience in transplant surgeries, especially pancreatic transplants, and bariatric surgery.

Over a 30-year career, Bermann reminded, Hakim has performed more than 2,000 transplants, including London’s first pancreatic transplant in 1995. In 2000, he represented Britain in an international team of 18 surgeons who performed the world’s first double hand-and-forearm transplant on a Frenchman who had lost his hands in a fireworks accident.

Mr. Hunt said: “Professor Hakim has made an enormous contribution to surgery in the UK and France. It is wonderful to see that recognized.”

Professor. Hakim has held the posts of World President of the International College of Surgeons and President of the Transplantation Section of the Royal Society of Medicine. He has also had many research contributions, as he has published over 150 papers. His work at the Imperial College Healthcare trust has raised more than £3.5 million in research donations for the National Health Service.

Having completed some of his studies in France, at Paris Descartes University, he is a committed member of DispensaireFrançais, a non-profit organization that provides medical and social support to over 2,500 vulnerable members of the French-speaking community in London.