Professor Dame Parveen Kumar has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship in Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow at a ceremony in the city.

Dame Parveen Kumar was Academic Sub-Dean at Barts and later the first Director of Postgraduate Medical Education

Professor Dame Parveen Kumar was Academic Sub-Dean at Barts and later the first Director of Postgraduate Medical Education. She co-founded and co-edited the textbook Clinical Medicine, which is now a standard classic work, used worldwide and in its 9th edition. In 1999, Professor Kumar was the first recipient of the Asian Women of the Year (Professional) award. In 2000 she was awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in recognition of her services to medicine.

Delivering Dame Parveen Kumar’s citation for the award at the College’s Admissions Ceremony on 5 June, College Fellow Professor Adrian Stanley said:

“Professor Kumar is one of the leading figures in our profession worldwide and has held numerous senior positions including President of the BMA, President of the Royal Society of Medicine, and President of the Medical Women’s Federation.”

“She was a founding non-executive director of NICE, was Chair of the Medicines Commission UK, and is known to generations of medical students for her indispensable textbook “Kumar and Clark’s Clinical Medicine”, now in its 9th edition.”

“Professor Kumar continues to teach, lecture and examine doctors and medical students around the world, and set up the Global Health Initiative at the Royal Society of Medicine when she was President.”

“She was awarded the BMA Gold Medal for services to Medicine and Education, the BMJ Award for Outstanding Contribution to Health, and was the first Asian Professional Woman of the year in 1999. She has received many honorary degrees and other honours and is a trustee of the British Youth Opera and several charities.”

“Professor Kumar was awarded CBE in 2000 then was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2017 for services to Medicine and Medical education.”

Speaking after the Admissions Ceremony on 5 June, College President Professor Jackie Taylor said:

“As an international organisation which promotes excellence in medicine, our college is honoured to confirm our association with this distinguished range of medical professionals and thought leaders from throughout the world.”

“It is a privilege to admit her to our college.”

Source: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow