A Dundee University student will this week collect her degree from the man who saved her life over 30 years ago.
When Sarah Beattie was born 14 weeks premature on February 4 1986, Naren Patel was the consultant obstetrician at Ninewells Hospital.
Mr Patel is now Lord Patel and is chancellor of the university and the two will be reunited again on Thursday when Sarah collects her Diploma in Legal Practice, having already achieved her law degree from Dundee.
It was when she collected her degree last year that her mum Morag realised their amazing connection.
She said: “I couldn’t believe it when I saw him at the Caird Hall and he was presenting Sarah with her cap.
“He was so fantastic with her when she was born and he’s someone we owe a lot to. There are not many happy stories of babies being born premature back in the 1980s, but Sarah was a fighter and it was all thanks to the care of Lord Patel and his team of dedicated nurses and doctors that she came through it.”
Sarah, who was born weighing only 1lb 5oz, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have finished my legal studies. I owe a lot to my family and friends who have supported me through the three years of law school.
“My mum has obviously told me about Lord Patel and everything he did for me, but I didn’t realise he would be at my graduation.
“I’m sure after all this time he won’t remember me and my family, but I’m sure he will be happy to know we still think of him to this day. I’m looking forward to meeting him again this year.”
The university’s summer graduation ceremonies started today in the Caird Hall and continue until Friday.
