Sir George Alleyne
Chancellor of The University of the West Indies
Barbadian by birth, Sir George Alleyne is a true advocate of the Caribbean region and his exceptional accomplishments in public and international health earned him the the Order of the Caribbean Community in 2001. He has dedicated a large part of his career in Medicine and Health Care to uplifting the standard of public health for the benefit of Caribbean citizens and their development.
He holds the degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and has the distinguished achievement of attaining the highest rank of Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and the American College of Physicians. In 1990, he was made Knight Bachelor by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to medicine. His very illustrious career spans years of dedication to medical education and health research in the Caribbean and service as Scientific Secretary of the Caribbean Health Research Council.
His highly esteemed impact on the Region's Medical and Public Health arena is evidenced by the significant number of honours conferred on him by the University's Medical Alumni and Alumni Association. Sir George's high international reputation as a scholar and professional in the medical and public health fields was responsible for his unprecedented appointment as the first Director of PAHO from the English speaking Caribbean in 1994 and 1998. He spearheaded the establishment of the Caribbean Co-operation in Health (CCH) Initiative introduced by CARICOM Ministers of Health in 1984 through which he marshalled the Community Members to implement programmes of functional co-operation on health for the benefit of their people.
Sir George Alleyne is a prolific writer and has a collection of over 100 publications to his credit on issues pertinent to public health and medicine in the Caribbean and beyond. A recipient of numerous awards for his consistent service and commitment to excellence, he has received several Honorary Doctorates from his Alma Mater, the UWI and universities in various parts of the world.
In July 2003, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) appointed Dr. Alleyne as the head of a new commission to examine health issues confronting the region, including HIV/AIDS, and their impact on national economies. He was appointed Chancellor of the University of the West Indies in October 2003.