Paediatric Specialist Recognised as one of Africa’s Most Influential Women

Prof. Mignon McCulloch, Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Consultant and Nephrologist at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, was recently recognised for her contribution to health. Prof. McCulloch was a finalist in the Medical and Veterinary category of the prestigious Annual South Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government Awards held on 30 July 2014 at the Gallagher Convention Centre.

The awards, hosted by CEO Communications, focus on the achievements of African women across a range of business and government sectors and recognise the positive impact they make within their organisation, sector and country.

The 2014 awards received 9 000 entries from 34 African countries. No fewer than 80 finalists in 25 industry sectors, ranging from aviation to welfare and civil society organisations, were selected and judged by an independent judging panel. The panel consisted of various high-profile industry leaders to ensure a fair and unbiased selection of winners. Prof. McCulloch was one of three finalists in the Medical and Veterinary category.

The candidates were selected through an anonymous nomination process, followed by an in-depth profiling exercise that enabled the judging panel to identify the semi-finalists. A further judging process whittled the list down to finalists who were asked a set of questions in a filmed face-to-face interview with the Chairperson of the awards. The footage of the interview, together with the nomination forms, enabled the judging panel to select a winner in each category.

Prof. McCulloch’s achievements include:

• Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town
• Paediatric Renal advisor to Kings College Hospital (London) for the Paediatric Liver and small bowel transplant programme
• Has a Fellowship of College Paediatricians Examiner and has also established a six-month training programme for fellows from elsewhere in Africa
• She is a council member from 2011 to 2015 representing training on the International Paediatric Transplantation Association (IPTA), and in collaboration with Great Ormond Street Hospital Paediatric Transplant programme, performed the first Paediatric HIV Transplant in the United Kingdom (UK).
• In her current position, she is rolling out the Acute Kidney Injury and Acute Peritoneal Dialysis programme throughout Africa.