David Francis, a medical doctor based at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Chevening Scholarship and will pursue a Master’s degree at University College London (UCL).
The announcement was made by the UK High Commission for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean based in Barbados.
Currently serving as a House Officer in the Subspecialties Department of Internal Medicine, Dr. Francis works closely in the areas of Nephrology, Neurology, and Oncology. He also chairs the Infectious Disease Committee of the hospital’s dialysis unit, where he focuses on infection prevention and control for high-risk patients.
Dr. Francis holds a medical degree from the Latin American School of Medicine and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health from the University of South Wales. He also completed a certificate in Epidemiology from Washington University to further his expertise in population health.
As a Chevening Scholar, he will pursue an MSc in Applied Infectious Disease Epidemiology at UCL. His goal is to strengthen public health systems across the Caribbean by improving outbreak detection and response, shaping evidence-based policies, and tackling the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.
The Chevening Scholarship is the UK government’s international awards programme aimed at developing global leaders. Dr. Francis joins an elite group of scholars selected for their academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to positive change.
He is the only Chevening Scholarship recipient from Antigua and Barbuda for 2025.
