Sir Patrick Manson Medal

The Sir Patrick Manson Medal is our highest mark of distinction. 

This Medal is for senior experts in their field. 

 

Eligibility and nominations

  • Nominations are every three years
  • Nominations should come from RSTMH members and Fellows ONLY 
  • Nominees should be RSTMH members ONLY
  • The Manson Medal is the Society's highest mark of distinction
  • The Manson Medal is awarded to the living person whose contribution to any branch of tropical medicine or hygiene is considered by the Board of Trustees to merit the honour most

     

Become a member

History and prize

Sir Patrick Manson

At the outset of the twentieth century, Sir Patrick Manson, GCMG, FRS, (3 October 1844 – 9 April 1922) was the most eminent figure in the field of tropical medicine.

Distinguished by his own research, and with a reputation as an outstanding teacher and administrator, he established the scientific basis of tropical medicine. In his own lifetime, he was hailed by Raphael Blanchard of Paris as the "Father of Tropical Medicine".

He made important discoveries in parasitology, including that mosquitoes carry filariasis and that the embryonic filariae only appear in the patient's peripheral bloodstream at night when mosquitoes feed.

Sir Patrick was the first President of RSTMH and remained closely associated with the Society until the end of his life. He also founded the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

In 1921 his friends and admirers from all parts of the world subscribed to a Portrait Fund as a mark of their esteem for him and his work. After the portrait, which hangs in the Board Room of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, had been executed, it was decided to use the surplus of the fund to found a medal for outstanding contributions to tropical medicine and hygiene. RSTMH accepted responsibility for administering the award.

The Manson Medal is the Society's highest mark of distinction and is awarded to the living person whose contribution to any branch of tropical medicine or hygiene is considered by the Board of Trustees to merit the honour most.

This bronze medal bears the likeness of Sir Patrick in profile on the obverse, and on the reverse a garland of oak leaves surrounds the words "Tropical Medicine. A.D. 1922", the year in which Sir Patrick died.

2022 Sir Patrick Manson Medal recipient: Professor Sir Alimuddin Zumla

The Manson Medal was awarded in 2022 to Professor Sir Alimuddin Zumla.

Sir Alimuddin (Ali) Zumla is Professor of Infectious Diseases and International Health at University College London. He is dually qualified in Medicine (MB.ChB;MD) and Science (PhD). He serves as honorary Professor at several institutions in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

He is internationally distinguished for initiating and leading major research, training and capacity development multidisciplinary partnerships between Europe, USA, Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa which are focussed on respiratory tract infections and zoonotic emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases with epidemic potential.  

On receiving the medal he said:

"I am absolutely delighted, honoured, and truly humbled to join the illustrious list of previous Manson Medal laureates. I did not make this very successful journey alone, thus I would like to dedicate this prestigious honour to all the amazing, committed people with whom I have had the enormous privilege to work with over the past four decades on a range of research, capacity development, training, advocacy, and charity activities focused on improving the lives and health of poor and disadvantaged populations worldwide.

“The Manson Medal is a subtle but timely reminder that, it is only through hard work and sacrifice, and by “holding hands and moving forward together beyond borders” with “like-minded, selfless, and committed individuals”, as a pan-continental ONE-HEALTH family, we will be able to bring killer infectious diseases under control and ensure preparedness for future epidemics.”

Professor Sir Alimuddin Zumla