Zahra Parker

For Zahra Parker, 23, the contrasting experiences of growing up in Australia and South Africa ignited a commitment to problem-solving and building better systems. “Australia taught me the ease of well-functioning systems; South Africa taught me resilience,” she says. Currently a medical student at the University of Cape Town, Zahra has combined her clinical training with an honours degree in human genetics, part of UCT’s Intercalated Medicine-Medical Science Track. Her interest lies in the intersection of science, community and system change. She believes that precision medicine and quality healthcare shouldn’t be reserved for high-income people alone. Zahra’s leadership journey includes serving as the youngest president of the UCT Surgical Society, where she co-led the society’s flagship  Charity Ball in support of the Smile Foundation. The event raised R500 000, enabling surgeries for children with facial deformities. She also plays a key role in Shawco Health, a student-led initiative providing medical services to underserved Cape Town communities. Here, she focuses on strengthening clinic data systems to drive strategic improvements in healthcare delivery.

• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), University of Cape Town (*fifth-year)
• Bachelor of Medical Science Honours (specialising in Human Genetics), University of Cape Town, 2023  (*first-class pass) – completed as part of the Intercalated Medicine–Medical Science Honours Track offered by the UCT Faculty of Health Sciences

• Co-led the UCT Surgical Society Charity Ball (2023) in support of the Smile Foundation, raising a total of R501,000, with major support from Momentum Metropolitan Health
• Served as the youngest President of the UCT Surgical Society, overseeing both the Charity Ball and broader student-led initiatives that advanced surgical education and interest
• Recipient of the Harry Crossley Foundation Scholarship during the Honours year
• Appointed as a Research, Advocacy, and Innovation (RAI) Fellow at the UCT Division of Global Surgery
• Served as deputy chair of the Scientific Committee for the 3rd International Congress of Innovations in Global Surgery
• Held multiple leadership roles in the UCT Surgical Society, including secretary general, vice president and president

I especially admire people who quietly lead with integrity and impact. Dr Mohammed Ishaaq Datay is a specialist physician and senior lecturer in primary health care and health promotion at the University of Cape Town, whom I admire for his community engagements centred on Ubuntu and compassion. He further leads by example, showing that Islamic principles — and spirituality in general — can guide efforts towards social justice and change. Another person I admire is Dr Shrikant Peters, a public health physician and medical manager of health informatics and critical care services at Groote Schuur Hospital. His work closely and directly speaks to strengthening hospital systems to ensure value-based care. I have been especially inspired by his forward-thinking nature and willingness to bring students to the table.