Red Cross CEO receives public health award

Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital CEO Dr Anita Parbhoo has received the 2024 Jakes Gerwel Award in Public Health.

Dr Parbhoo received the award at a ceremony held at UWC at the end of July.

The award honours graduates of the UWC School of Public Health who have made a positive impact on public health through professional or academic leadership and innovation.

On receiving the award Dr Parbhoo said: “At first, it took a while to sink in after my nomination and then to be told I am the recipient for the 2024 award, but now I feel so proud of myself and the work I have been able to do.”

She added: “Professor Jakes Gerwel gave so much of himself to uplift fellow South Africans. There were numerous challenges I had to navigate in my personal life and the professional sphere over the years, and it just felt like a coming together of so many different things. I am so privileged to work where I am working, to be able to improve children’s lives and empower my team.”

Dr Parhboo joined the children’s hospital in 2008 in the role of medical manager. She was appointed CEO in 2021.

During her time at the hospital, she has championed the creation of family friendly bathrooms and a dedicated breastfeeding facility for staff. And, together with her management team and Children’s Hospital Trust, she started a project to address surgical backlogs.

Reflecting on her leadership philosophy, Dr Parbhoo said: "I try to have a very human kind of leadership. I find it works very well. I think some people thought that kindness was a sign of weakness, but we know now, and there is literature to support this leadership style, that you can be kind, firm and clear at the same time.”