St Mary’s University Announces Honorary Professors to School of Medicine

St Mary’s School of Medicine will open its doors in September 2026. Drawing on the extensive expertise of our key partners is essential to the School’s success and its vision of being deeply rooted in the local community while maintaining a global outlook. On the 2^nd September the new School welcomed its inaugural Honorary Professors, Annalisa Jenkins and Paul Worley.

Hon Professor Jenkins is a life-sciences thought leader who has held many roles across the public, private, and charitable sectors including at Genomics England (NED), British Heart Foundation (Trustee), Cancer Research Horizons (Trustee), Kings Fund (Vice-Chair) and Lady Garden Foundation (Chair). She was previous Chair of Court at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Originally training in cardiovascular medicine, Hon Prof Jenkins has had vast experience in building and financing biotech companies pursuing cures for the most challenging rare diseases to address important medical issues globally. After studying medicine at the University of London and receiving her Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians, Hon Prof Jenkins later specialised in cardiology. She then went on to be a medical officer in the Royal Navy during the Gulf War, achieving the rank of surgeon lieutenant commander.

Since then, Hon Prof Jenkins has served as President and Chief Executive of Dimension Therapeutics among other leadership roles, including senior positions at Merck Serono and at Bristol Myers-Squibb.

Speaking on her appointment, Hon Prof Annalisa Jenkins said, “It is a privilege to join St Mary’s at such a pivotal moment in the creation of its new School of Medicine. I look forward to supporting the next generation of doctors as they embrace innovation, compassion, kindness and service in their pursuit of better health outcomes for all.”

Prof Worley is an expert in rural medicine and a practising rural doctor in Australia, and is an elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. He previously served as Dean of Medicine at Flinders University and was the inaugural National Rural Health Commissioner for the Australian Government. His work focuses on the science of rural community based medical education, and its impact on addressing the maldistribution of doctors for rural and underserved areas. Through his work Prof Worley initiated the creation of the new speciality of Rural Generalist as a sub-specialty of General Practice.

While studying medicine at the University of Adelaide Prof Worley took electives in the Philippines where he discovered his passion for working with underserved communities. His subsequent work in the field has changed the face of medical education and rural medical workforce policy not just in Australia but also internationally.

Other roles Prof Worley has held include President of the Rural Doctors Association of South Australia, national Vice President of Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), and Board Director for the Royal Flying Doctor Service South Australia/Northern Territory and Medical Insurance Group Australia.

Prof Paul Worley said, “The UK, and the world, needs more Schools of Medicine like St Marys. It is a great honour to work with the team preparing our future doctors to be fully human, and committed and equipped to serve the underserved.”

Speaking of these appointments, St Mary’s Vice-Chancellor Prof Anthony McClaran said, “The appointment of our inaugural Honorary Professors, Annalisa Jenkins and Paul Worley, is a significant milestone for the University. I am delighted to welcome them into our University community. Their vast knowledge, extensive experience, and unwavering passion will undoubtedly inspire both staff and students within our new School of Medicine, as well as the broader University community.”

Founding Executive Dean of Medicine at St Mary’s Prof Sonia Kumar added, “I am delighted to welcome our two inaugural Honorary Professors Annalisa Jenkins and Paul Worley to St Mary’s School of Medicine. We are extremely grateful for their commitment and support, and we look forward to working with them over the coming years bringing their extensive experience and wisdom to our visionary new School of Medicine."

Through their roles at the University, they will contribute to the development of the St Mary’s School of Medicine, which will train students to be human-centred, clinically advanced, and digitally innovative doctors, committed to making a sustainable difference to our world.

Applications are now open for students to join the School for its September 2026 intake.