Meet Parveen Kumar: Indian-origin doctor awarded Britain's highest order of British Empire honour

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 United Kingdom’s highest royal honours, in King Charles III’s 2026 Birthday Honours list.The GBE is the highest rank within the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and is awarded to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to public life and society. Kumar was recognised for her services to global medical education and health.

A Professor Emerita 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 world’s most widely used medical textbooks. The publication has served as a key learning resource for generations of medical students and healthcare professionals across multiple countries.Over the course of her career, Kumar has held several influential leadership positions within Britain’s medical community. As President of the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund, she helped raise £100,000 and played a role in establishing a confidential support helpline for doctors facing personal and professional difficulties.She also served as President of the Royal Society of Medicine, where she launched a Global Health initiative aimed at expanding international collaboration and healthcare education. At the Royal College of Physicians, she worked as a senior examiner and helped develop educational programmes for medical professionals.Now in her early 80s, Kumar remains actively involved in healthcare policy and advocacy. She co-chairs the British Medical Journal’s Commission for the Future of the National Health Service and serves as an ambassador for the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change.

The honour was announced as part of King Charles III’s annual Birthday Honours list, which recognises individuals from across the United Kingdom for outstanding contributions in public service, healthcare, education, business, community work and other fields.This year’s honours list recognised 1,182 people for achievements that have delivered a positive impact on communities across the country.