Dame Parveen Kumar, a renowned gastroenterologist, medical educator and advocate for women in healthcare, has been awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE), one of the UK’s highest royal honours, in the 2026 Birthday Honors List of King Charles III.The GBE is the highest order of the Most Distinguished Order of the British Empire and is awarded to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to public life and society. Kumar was honored for her services to medical education and global health.
Medical profession and education
Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Education at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, part of Queen Mary University of London, Kumar has spent decades shaping medical education in Britain and internationally.She is best known as the co-founder and author of Kumar and Clark’s Clinical Medicine, one of the most widely used medical textbooks in the world. This publication has served as a major educational resource for generations of medical students and healthcare professionals in many countries.
Leadership roles
Over the course of her career, Kumar has held many influential leadership positions within the medical community in Britain.
As chair of the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund, she helped raise £100,000 and played a role in setting up a confidential helpline for doctors facing personal and professional difficulties.She also served as President of the Royal Society of Medicine, where she launched the Global Health Initiative aimed at expanding international cooperation and healthcare education. At the Royal College of Physicians, she served as Senior Examiner and helped develop educational programs for medical professionals.Now, in her early 80s, Kumar remains actively involved in health care policy and advocacy. She co-chairs the British Medical Journal’s committee on the future of the NHS and serves as an ambassador for the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change.
Honor on the King’s birthday
The honor was announced as part of the annual King Charles III Birthday Honors List, which honors individuals from across the United Kingdom for their outstanding contributions to public service, healthcare, education, business, community work and other fields.This year’s honors list honored 1,182 individuals for their accomplishments that have made a positive impact on communities across the country.
