After an Engineering degree Mrs Karen Harrison-Phipps attended Southampton University Medical School. She trained in General Surgery and then Cardiothoracic Surgery in specialist units at Harefield, King's College, and Guy's & St Thomas' Hospitals. She was the recipient of the McKormack medal for best performance in the 2003 National Cardiothoracic speciality examinatons. Mrs harrison-Phipps completed her final year of thoracic training at the Mayo Clinic, USA one of the world's largest thoracic surgical practices. She learned state of the art surgical treatment for lung cancer, mesothelioma, mediastinal tumours, resection for pulmonary metastases and treatment of complex thoracic cancers such as chest wall resections. Their worldwide reputation led to regular referral of patients with extremely complex thoracic problems such as broncho-pleural fistulae and oesophageal leaks. She also learned that with all thoracic surgery, excellent results and patient comfort and satisfaction are only possible with the correct team and attention to detail. She completed her USA experience at the Cedars Sinaii Hospital, Los Angeles where she learned advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques for thoracic problems.