John Gillies

John Gillies is a medical professional with a deep commitment to general practice and global health initiatives. A University of Edinburgh alum, John's career spans significant roles both in Malawi and Scotland, including a 16-year tenure as a general practitioner in Selkirk. He has also contributed to medical education and training as an undergraduate tutor, a GP educational supervisor, and a training programme director with NHS Education Scotland.

John served as the Chair of the Royal College of GPs in Scotland from 2010 to 2014 and was the deputy director of the Scottish School of Primary Care from 2015 to 2019. His academic roles include being Honorary Professor of General Practice at both the University of Edinburgh and the University of St Andrews. In 2019, he chaired a group for the Scottish Board for Academic Medicine, focusing on enhancing medical students' exposure to general practice in Scotland.

He co-directs the Compassion Initiative within the Global Health Academy, aiming to integrate compassion into healthcare and other professional environments. John is also involved in nurturing the next generation of medical professionals through literature, serving on the editorial board of "Tools of the Trade," a book of poetry gifted to new medical graduates in Scotland. Outside of his professional life, John enjoys cycling and walking, maintaining a close connection to his Gaelic roots and the natural beauty of the Scottish landscapes.