Jimmy Volmink

James Volmink is a South African physician who is a professor and chief executive officer of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the Wellcome Trust. He is an advocate for evidence-based medicine and has campaigned to improve healthcare in South Africa. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Science of South Africa and Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

Early life and education Volmink grew up in Cape Town during apartheid, where he had limited educational opportunities. He went to a segregated township school. and started his career as a doctor, working in disadvantaged communities across South Africa. He completed his medical internship in Cape Town, where he became frustrated with the hospital hierarchy system. He became passionate about being a health practitioner who practised health promotion. He commissioned studies into antiretrovirals, demonstrating that whilst they caused minor adverse effects, they prevented mother-to-child transmission.

Volmink served as Professor and Dean of Medicine at Stellenbosch University. His research considered evidence-based medicine, with a focus on tuberculosis, HIV and cardiovascular disease. He advocated for equity and inclusion, and developed a master's program in clinical epidemiology.

Awards and honours Volmink was elected to the Academy of Science of South Africa in 2000. In 2021 KU Leuven awarded him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his commitment to public health.

Selected publications