Dame Parveen Kumar, a leading gastroenterologist, medical educator and supporter of women in healthcare, has received the Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire, one of the United Kingdom’s top honours, in King Charles III’s 2026 Birthday Honours list.
The GBE recognises exceptional contributions to public life. Kumar was honoured for her work in global medical education and health.
As Professor Emerita of Medicine and Education at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, part of Queen Mary University of London, she has influenced medical training in Britain and abroad for decades.
She is widely recognised as co-author of Kumar and Clark’s Clinical Medicine, a textbook used by medical students and professionals in many countries.
Kumar has occupied key leadership positions in British medicine. As President of the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund she helped secure £100,000 and supported the creation of a confidential helpline for doctors in difficulty.
She also served as President of the Royal Society of Medicine, introducing a Global Health programme to strengthen international cooperation. At the Royal College of Physicians she acted as senior examiner and contributed to professional education programmes.
Now in her early eighties, Kumar continues to influence policy. She co-chairs the British Medical Journal’s Commission on the Future of the NHS and serves as ambassador for the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change.
The annual Birthday Honours list recognises people across the United Kingdom for service in healthcare, education and other fields. This year 1,182 individuals were named.
