Happy Retirement Sufin!

We said a fond farewell to Professor Sufin Yap, Consultant Paediatrician in Metabolic Medicine this month! 

We said a fond farewell to Professor Sufin Yap, Consultant Paediatrician in Metabolic Medicine this month! 

Professor Yap is retiring after having worked at Sheffield Children’s since October 2012. During her tenure, she has provided outstanding metabolic clinical support for the newborn screening programme at Sheffield Children’s, offered teaching for colleagues across the organisation, and championed a progressive and flexible metabolic service at Sheffield Children’s which is one of six specialised metabolic centres across England. 

To celebrate her retirement, patients, families, colleagues and more came together to celebrate Professor Yap’s astronomical impact on the lives of young people across South Yorkshire and beyond. Professor Yap said: “I felt extremely humbled by the turnout of families, whom I know went to great lengths to attend the day, and colleagues from all over the world who came along. It was a very meaningful conclusion for my clinical career, and I’d like to offer a heartfelt thank you for the sincerity and openness showed towards me by all my international colleagues in allowing me an opportunity to learn from their patients.” 

Becoming a Consultant Paediatrician 

Professor Yap’s years of service are underpinned by a long-standing fascination with metabolic medicine, dating back to her first paediatric rotation as a student under the guidance of Professor Denis Gill. Metabolic diseases are those that negatively impact the body’s metabolism, the chemical reactions taking place within the cells of all living beings which break down nutrients to create energy. 

After starting her career as a Junior Doctor in inherited metabolic medicine in 1994, Sufin was drawn in by new discoveries in the field, and the ability to work on the cutting-edge of medicine. 

Professor Yap said: “Metabolic medicine has developed significantly during the time in which I have been practicing. Progressively we have been able to offer treatment options, mainly dietary treatments initially and enzyme replacement therapy of late, which have improved patient outcomes in this area.” 

“With the advent of newborn screening, we can now identify patients early, meaning that we can start treatment prior to any complications developing. There is a lot of data to show that early detection and treatment can have good long term clinical outcomes.” 

Taking part in a ‘Festschrift’ 

Throughout her career, Professor Yap has been involved in a number of ‘Festschrifts’ – celebrations of somebody’s career involving colleagues who have been positively impacted by their work. When it came time for her own Festschrift, Professor Yap was keen to make sure that the children and young people that she had supported were at the heart of the event. 

Professor Yap said: “I am grateful for the colleagues who I have collaborated with to deliver good clinical outcomes for the patients. The highest accolade any physician can receive is when they are able to see the patients and families that they support doing well and I was really grateful for the patients and families who came to say hello as part of the celebrations.” 

Dr Jeff Perring, Executive Medical Director at Sheffield Children’s attended the event. He said: “Professor Yap’s dedication, passion and pursuit of excellence has been an asset to Sheffield Children’s over the last twelve years. Her compassion and desire for innovation in the field of metabolic medicine means that she always delivers outstanding care for the patients and families that she sees. I, alongside everyone at Sheffield Children’s, wish her all the best in her retirement.” 

What does the future hold? 

Alongside spending time with her new puppy, Professor Yap is determined to continue casting her net into the field of metabolic medicine in retirement by passing on her knowledge to a new generation of paediatricians. She continues as an Honourary Consultant in Inherited Metabolic Medicine at Sheffiled Children’s, and is still actively involved in research, as demonstrated by her involvement in a recent piece highlighted by the BBC. 

Professor Yap said: “I want to teach those that would like to learn, so that expertise that I have inherited from previous metabolic physicians are handed over to the next generation. Research continues to occupy some of my retirement time. Of course, it will also be great to have some private time to do things that are important to me and my family.” 

We’d like to thank Professor Yap for her time, and for her dedication to creating a healthier future for children and young people during her time at Sheffield Children’s. Wishing you all the best in your retirement!