Jimmy Volmink, Executive Director, Equity

Jimmy combines a foundation in clinical practice with significant contributions to academic medicine. He is an Emeritus Professor of Global Health and former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. He is recognised for his global contributions to evidence-based healthcare, equity in health and society, research capacity building, and leadership in health sciences education. Jimmy’s research has significantly influenced global health policy and practice, particularly in the fields of tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and cardiovascular disease.

He earned his medical degree from the University of Cape Town, a Master of Public Health from Harvard University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Epidemiology from the University of Oxford.

Jimmy’s career is marked by a number of notable honours, including the Leverhulme Medal for Distinguished Contribution from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (Edinburgh), Member of the Academy of Science of South Africa and a President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from the South African Medical Research Council. He has also received a Lifetime Chancellor’s Award for sustained excellence from Stellenbosch University.

Jimmy holds two honorary doctorates: a Doctor Honoris Causa from KU Leuven, Belgium, in recognition of his work to promote human dignity and his contribution to science and practice to improve health and wellbeing, and a Doctor of Science, honoris causa from McMaster University, Canada, for his pioneering work in evidence-based medicine.