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Sonic Healthcare UK’s Group Medical Director, Dr Rachael Liebmann, and Ann Hannah, Rapid Response Laboratories and Histology Manager, have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Dr Liebmann has been awarded an OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in recognition of her services to pathology. Ann Hannah has been awarded a BEM (British Empire Medal) for her services to healthcare during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chief Executive of Sonic Healthcare UK, David Byrne, said: “We are absolutely delighted and warmly welcome Rachael and Ann’s awards, which are hugely deserved. Both have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to ensure our laboratories have functioned efficiently and safely in times of extreme challenge.”

Dr Liebmann comments: “To be awarded an OBE for my services to pathology is an absolute privilege and is due to the amazing support I have had from my colleagues. It is really a testament to the recognition of the importance of pathology tests now more than ever.”

Ann Hannah comments: “This is a tremendous honour but all that we achieved, we achieved as a team so the honour is mine to share.”

In addition to her role at Sonic, where she provides clinical oversight for The Doctors Laboratory and Health Services Laboratories, Dr Liebmann is a consultant histopathologist at Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (QVH) and vice-president of the Royal College of Pathologists. She has been recognised by her peers as one of the world’s 100 most influential pathologists and, shortlisted for the Health Service Journal Clinical Leader of the Year, and has also received the Royal College of Pathologists Medal for Distinguished Service.

During COVID-19 QVH was designated a specialist surgical cancer hub, treating patients with high-risk cancers (head and neck, skin and breast) from hospitals across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, with pathology provided by Dr Liebmann and her team.

Ann Hannah is a Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (cellular pathology), has a diploma in Medical Laboratory Management, and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Westminster where she was awarded a distinction which has been invaluable in the complex provision of links with Health Services Laboratories and their NHS Trust partner and client hospitals.

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