Thackray Insights: The Heart of the Matter

Thackray Insights invites you to delve deep into eye­ opening topics and explore the unheard stories of medicine.

Emma Trott explores the heart – both a critical muscle and a rich metaphor for courage, grief and love – and what the literature of surgery tells us about cutting-edge medical research. She is joined by Cardiac surgeon Carin van Doorn and cardiologist Vitor Ramos who share the latest innovations in 3D medical imaging and treatment of congenital heart defects.

About the Speakers:

Dr Emma Trott is a Lecturer in Contemporary Literature at the University of Leeds, where she convenes the Environment Humanities Research Group. Her research spans contemporary poetry, ecopoetic, medical humanities, metaphor and the cultural representation of heart health. Her work examines connections between environment, health, identity, and inequalities of race, gender and class.

Carin van Doorn is a Consultant Congenital Cardiac Surgeon at Leeds Children’s Hospital and an OBE recipient. She has made significant contributions to paediatric heart surgery in the UK and overseas. Between 2013 until her retirement earlier this year, she led Leeds’ congenital cardiac surgery service, advancing complex neonatal and adult congenital heart surgery, alongside training, research and charity work.

Dr Vitor Ramos is a Cardiology Consultant in Adult Congenital Heart Disease at Leeds General Infirmary, specialising in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. His clinical and research interests include advanced cardiovascular imaging and innovative approaches to congenital heart disease, including 3D heart modelling to support treatment planning, patient care and improved procedural outcomes.

Interested in attending multiple events in the season? Add three or more Insights events into your basket for a 20% discount on your overall purchase at checkout.

We offer a select number of free Insights tickets for students studying A-Level or above – email groups@thackraymuseum.org to find out more.