Dame Averil Olive Bradley, professionally known as Averil Mansfield, is a retired English vascular surgeon and the first British woman appointed a professor of surgery in 1993. Born in 1937 in Blackpool, Mansfield's early life was marked by her mother's health challenges, influencing her future medical specialization. Inspired at the age of eight by a book on surgical advancements, she pursued her dream, graduating from the University of Liverpool School of Medicine in 1960.
Beginning her career at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Mansfield later became a consultant vascular surgeon and lecturer at the University of Liverpool. Relocating to London in 1980, she joined Hillingdon Hospital and was appointed as a consultant vascular surgeon at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington in 1982. Beyond her clinical role, she served as an honorary senior lecturer and founded the RCS's Women in Surgical Training committee in 1991.
In 1993, Mansfield achieved a historic milestone as the first female professor of surgery in the United Kingdom. Recognized with a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1999, she retired in 2002, subsequently becoming a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. Notably, she founded Women in Surgery, encouraging gender diversity in the field. In 2018, she received an NHS Heroes Award. In the 2023 Birthday Honours, Mansfield was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her significant contributions to surgery and equality.