Jane Somerville

Jane Somerville (née Platnauer; born 24 January 1933) is a British physician and academic, specialising in cardiology. She is Emeritus Professor at Imperial College, London,^[1] is acknowledged as a pioneer for her research into congenital heart disease and was the founder of GUCH, a charity dedicated the support of those with 'Grown Up Congenital Heart Diseases'.^[2]

Career

Her career began in the early 1950s, enrolling at medical school at a time when women were allowed in the profession. Since that time she was responsible for ground-breaking advances in the treatment of cardiovascular conditions. She founded the World Congress of Paediatric Cardiology.^[3]

Personal life

In 1957, Platnauer married Walter Somerville. The couple had four children; three daughters and one son.^[4]

In 2013 Somerville was a guest on Desert Island Discs with Kirsty Young.

References