Professor Bill Ribbans visit

On Friday 9th October, our Year 12 students were visited by Professor Bill Ribbans. He is a Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon and Professor of Sports Medicine based at the University of Northampton. Prof Ribbans described his journey from age 16 to the present day and it was fascinating to hear how he made the decision to become a doctor rather late in his education and he overcame the obstacles in his way to earn the position he is in now. From qualifying as a doctor form the Royal Free hospital in London to later completing post-graduate fellowships in Sheffield and Harvard University, Prof Ribbans told us the story of his journey and it was eye- pening for us all to hear how he navigated the route he took through medicine and becoming a surgeon - the pitfalls, the highs and lows. He also outlined to our students the different pathways available to them on their own journeys.

Prof Ribbans is highly recognised for his extensive work treating elite athletes such as Dame Jessica Ennis, Greg Rutherford and Christine Ohurugu. He has also spent many years working with the English National Ballet, Northampton Town FC and Northamptonshire CCC as their Honorary Orthopaedic Surgeon and/or Chief Medical Officer.

Additionally, he has written and published over 100 scientific articles and his research into ankle ligament reconstruction was highlighted by the story he told of the young female who fell off her motorbike (while under the influence of alcohol), suffers multiple fractures and a head injury and had to have her ankle reconstructed by him!

Prof Ribbans is also a published author of two books. One of them is entitled ‘Knife In The Fast Lane’ and chronicles his 40 decades of experience as a sports surgeon.

The students were given time at the end of his presentation to ask questions that were insightful and full of genuine enquiry including asking what was the worst injury he had ever been involved in (and to spare no details) and if he had ever been sued by a patient. Prof Ribbans took all of the questions in his stride and his answers were greeted by gasps of shock and awe by the students.