Discover the 2026 Five Star Doctors

Professor Shyamalee Samaranayaka

Regional Five Star Doctor Award 2026 – South Asia Region
Nominated by the College of General Practitioners of Sri Lanka (CGPSL)

Professor Shyamalee Samaranayaka is a leading figure in Family Medicine in Sri Lanka and across the South Asia region. A graduate with First Class Honours from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, she has dedicated more than two decades to clinical care, academic leadership, and the strengthening of primary care systems. She currently serves as Chair Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and as Chairperson of the Board of Studies in Family Medicine at the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM), where she leads postgraduate specialist training in the discipline.

Alongside her academic responsibilities, Professor Samaranayaka has provided continuous clinical care for nearly 25 years at the university’s Family Practice Centre, the country’s first purpose-built model teaching practice. Serving approximately 3,000 registered families, the centre delivers comprehensive, community-based care while training undergraduate and postgraduate doctors. Her practice reflects the principles of continuity and person-centred care, with many families consulting her across generations. She has also developed expertise in palliative and geriatric care, contributing to home-based and end-of-life services for vulnerable patients.

Professor Samaranayaka has played a central role in shaping Family Medicine education and policy in Sri Lanka. She has contributed to the development of undergraduate curricula, coordinated the MD Family Medicine prospectus, and trained generations of family doctors in clinical decision-making and consultation skills. At national level, she serves on multiple Ministry of Health committees focused on primary care development, non-communicable diseases, elderly care, disability, and palliative care. She has been closely involved in the development of Sri Lanka’s forthcoming National Health Policy 2025–2030, advocating for stronger primary care systems and better integration of Family Medicine.

Her leadership extends beyond national borders. She has been actively involved with WONCA since 2016, serving as Scientific Chair of the WONCA South Asia Regional Conference in 2016 and again in 2024. She is a member of WONCA Working Parties on Women and Family Medicine and Education, and currently serves as a Member-at-Large for the South Asia Region. A recipient of the Montegut Scholarship in 2023, she has spoken about how international engagement and global networking have strengthened her work in education and conference development in the region. She was awarded WONCA Fellowship (WONCA's highest honour) at the 2023 WONCA World Conference in Australia in recognition of her contribution to Family Medicine in Sri Lanka and the region.

In recognising Professor Shyamalee Samaranayaka with the Regional Five Star Doctor Award 2026, WONCA and the College of General Practitioners of Sri Lanka acknowledge her sustained contribution as a care provider, decision maker, communicator, community leader, and team member. Her work reflects a long-term commitment to building resilient primary care systems, strengthening professional standards, and mentoring future generations of family doctors in Sri Lanka and the wider region.

Dr Seni Ononuju

Regional Five Star Doctor Award 2026 – North America Region
Nominated by Caribbean College of Family Physicians (CCFP-Regional)

Dr Seni Ononuju’s career in medicine spans more than five decades, with long service across both public and private care in Jamaica. Originally from Eware, Nigeria, she was influenced early by her father’s medical practice and later built her professional life in Jamaica after moving there with her husband during his postgraduate studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI). She chose to pursue formal training in Family Medicine through the UWI Department of Family Medicine at Mona at a time when the specialty was still developing in the Caribbean, helping to strengthen its place within the region’s health systems.

As a clinician, she is recognised for careful assessment, continuity of care, and a patient-centred approach grounded in respect and attentiveness. She worked for more than 23 years at Jamaica’s specialist chest hospital, caring for people with tuberculosis as well as chronic and complex respiratory conditions such as asthma and lung cancer. She later served in primary care outpatient clinics in Kingston and St Catherine, combining non-communicable disease screening and management with community outreach, and was recognised by the Government of Jamaica in 2018 for her years of service in the public health sector. Since 2018 she has continued in private practice, supporting individuals and families with chronic disease management, disability care, and prevention, with many patients remaining strongly committed to her care.

Dr Ononuju has also been a steady leader within the profession. She has served as President of the Caribbean College of Family Physicians - Jamaican Chapter (CCFP-JC) since 2020, taking up the role at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Under her leadership, the Chapter sustained member support and transitioned education and engagement to virtual and hybrid formats during a period of exceptional strain for primary care teams. Over many years she has held senior roles within professional organisations including the Association of General Practitioners of Jamaica and CCFP Regional, Jamaica Association of Catholic Doctors, Association of French Speaking Doctors and she served on the Medical Council of Jamaica from 2002 to 2019, contributing to the systems that uphold professional standards and safe practice.

Her work as a communicator and mentor has been closely linked to her service. As an adjunct lecturer and facilitator in Family Medicine at UWI Mona, she has supported medical education through teaching, supervision, and professional development. She is also known for leadership in physician wellbeing, including her tenure as Chair of the Impaired Physicians Subcommittee of the Medical Council of Jamaica, where she helped shape guidance and support for doctors experiencing impairment. This work strengthened safeguards for patients while offering structured pathways of help for colleagues in difficulty.

In community life, Dr Ononuju has supported charitable and outreach initiatives focused on people who are marginalised or living with disability, including projects linked to World Family Doctor Day in Jamaica. Through faith-based and civic organisations, she has helped organise continuing medical education, public health talks, and programmes to improve health literacy and access to care. Despite major personal setbacks, including the loss of her home in a fire and serious injuries following a road traffic collision in 2019, she continued to serve and to lead. In recognising Dr Seni Ononuju with the Regional Five Star Doctor Award 2026, WONCA honours a sustained commitment to clinical service, professional stewardship, education, and community-focused care.

Dr Aura Liliana Arias Castillo

Regional Five Star Doctor Award 2026 - CIMF Iberamerica

Dr Aura Liliana Arias Castillo is a family physician, clinical sexologist, and academic leader whose career spans more than four decades of continuous service. Her work reflects the principles of the Five Star Doctor through sustained commitment to comprehensive care, evidence-informed decision making, education, and social leadership in Colombia and across Latin America. Since 1984, she has combined clinical practice with institutional leadership, strengthening primary health care and advancing the role of Family Medicine within universities, professional bodies, and public policy.

As a care provider, Dr Arias has maintained continuous clinical practice in Family Medicine and sexology, grounded in a biopsychosocial approach and long-term relationships with patients and families. She co-founded the Family Health Service at the Universidad del Valle in 1985 and currently directs the service, which has grown from 450 assigned families to four core teams providing care to 2,000 families and 6,000 registered members. Her leadership has reinforced continuity of care, chronic disease management, disability care, and multidisciplinary collaboration. In 2016 she established Campus Diverso, a pioneering service supporting students and staff of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, providing more than 750 consultations annually and contributing to student retention and wellbeing. She has also maintained a private practice since 1987.

Dr Arias has demonstrated notable leadership as a decision maker at institutional, national, and international levels. She founded Colombia’s first Primary Health Care Unit, NAP El Diamante, recognised by the World Health Organization as an international reference model. At the Universidad del Valle she has served as Dean of the Faculty of Health, Head of the Department of Family Medicine, Academic Vice Rector, and Acting Rector. In these roles she has overseen extensive academic programmes, faculty development, and student wellbeing initiatives. Nationally, she has contributed to legislative and policy discussions on human resources for health, primary care, medical education, diversity, and inclusion, advising ministries and international organisations including PAHO and WHO.

As a communicator and educator, Dr Arias has shaped generations of professionals. She has taught for nearly four decades and developed innovative curricula in sexology for Family Medicine residents, including a recognised andragogical model integrating reflective and experiential learning. She is author of more than 100 academic publications, books, chapters, and educational materials, and has delivered lectures in 33 countries. Her work includes educational resources for adolescents, women affected by armed conflict, and LGBTIQ+ communities, helping expand informed dialogue on sexual and reproductive health, rights, and wellbeing.

Her community leadership has been equally significant. Through NAP El Diamante, she led volunteer training programmes that prepared 2,000 community health volunteers and benefited an estimated 120,000 people through intersectoral partnerships. With UN Women, she supported rural women’s health promotion and empowerment initiatives. At the university, she created the ASES programme, which has supported 10,000 students in their early academic years, and strengthened institutional inclusion policies. In recognising Dr Aura Liliana Arias Castillo with the Regional Five Star Doctor Award 2026, WONCA and SOCMEF acknowledge a career defined by sustained service, academic stewardship, social commitment, and the advancement of Family Medicine in Colombia and the wider region.

Dr Hesham Abdussalam Ben Masaud

Regional Five Star Doctor Award 2026 - East Mediterranean Region
Nominated by the Libyan General Practice Society

Dr Hesham Abdussalam Ben Masaud is a Family Medicine Consultant and Emergency Medicine Consultant whose professional work exemplifies the five core roles of the WONCA Five‑Star Doctor: health care provider, decision maker, communicator, community leader, and manager. His career spans more than two decades of service in Libya, integrating frontline clinical care with leadership in education, public health, and health‑system development.

As a Health Care Provider, Dr Ben Masaud has delivered comprehensive and continuous care across rural and urban primary care centres, hospitals, trauma units, and humanitarian settings. His dual certification in Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine enables him to manage acute and life‑threatening presentations while maintaining a strong focus on prevention, chronic disease management, and continuity of care. He has extensive procedural experience, including advanced use of point‑of‑care ultrasound, and has consistently promoted patient‑centred, community‑oriented practice in resource‑constrained environments.

As a Decision Maker, Dr Ben Masaud has played a key role in shaping postgraduate medical education and clinical standards in Libya. He has held senior leadership positions within the Libyan Board of Medical Specialties, including Director of Academic Modules and Director of Training in the General Practice Council, Director of Examinations and Assessment in the Emergency Medicine Council, and currently President of the Libyan General Practice Council. Through these roles, he has contributed to curriculum reform, national training standards, examiner development, and structured assessment systems, including consultation‑based and OSCE‑based evaluation models.

As a Communicator, Dr Ben Masaud is recognised for translating complex clinical and public health knowledge into practical guidance for healthcare professionals and the wider community. He has authored and contributed to numerous national manuals, guidelines, and training resources, and has facilitated large‑scale educational programmes for physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals. During the COVID‑19 pandemic, he played a national leadership role in developing infection prevention, case‑management, and public communication guidance to support both frontline health workers and the public.

As a Community Leader, Dr Ben Masaud has actively engaged in population‑level health initiatives and professional advocacy. He has led and coordinated Libya’s participation in international public health programmes, including the May Measurement Month hypertension screening campaigns, contributing to nationally and internationally published analyses. He has worked closely with organisations such as WHO, UNICEF, Primary Care International, and GIZ, and has served as a member of international guideline development groups for maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health.

As a Manager, Dr Ben Masaud has demonstrated strong organisational and leadership skills in managing training programmes, examination systems, committees, and multidisciplinary teams. He has overseen academic and operational programmes at national level, balancing clinical responsibilities with strategic planning, governance, and capacity building. His management approach emphasises sustainability, quality improvement, and the integration of appropriate innovation and technology into everyday primary care practice.

In recognising Dr Hesham Abdussalam Ben Masaud with the Regional Five Star Doctor Award 2026, WONCA acknowledges his outstanding contribution to clinical care, medical education, public health leadership, and the long‑term strengthening of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care in Libya.

Dato’ Dr Hjh Norsiah binti Hj Ali

Regional Five Star Doctor Award 2026 - Asia Pacific Region
Nominated by the Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia (AFPM)

Dato’ Dr Hjh Norsiah binti Hj Ali is a Consultant Family Medicine Specialist with more than three decades of distinguished service in primary care, health leadership, education, and policy development in Malaysia. She currently serves as Director of the Family Health and Development Division at the Ministry of Health Malaysia, where she contributes significantly to national health governance. In this role, she supports the development of clinical practice guidelines, health technology assessments, accreditation standards, and policies related to primary care, ensuring that national strategies remain evidence-based and people-centred.

Her clinical career has been firmly rooted in the provision of continuous and comprehensive primary care. Since 1999, she has practised as a consultant family physician and addiction specialist, particularly in rural and semi-rural communities including Tampin and Masjid Tanah. She pioneered the integration of addiction medicine, HIV care, chronic disease management, maternal and child health, and adolescent health within routine primary care services. Her work has demonstrated that conditions often perceived as complex or stigmatised can be effectively managed at the community level when supported by structured systems and well-trained multidisciplinary teams.
As a key decision-maker, Dato’ Dr Norsiah has played a central role in shaping policy and professional standards within Malaysia’s health system. Her leadership within the Ministry of Health reflects a balanced approach that bridges clinical realities with system-level planning. She has contributed to national reforms, guideline development, and programme implementation, translating policy into operational practice.

Notably, she contributed key ideas and advocated for a transformative primary care strategy under the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026–2030), introducing the concepts of Integrative Health Clinic Clusters and Health Clinics with Cottage Hospital. This model aims to strengthen service integration, expand the scope of care at the primary level, and improve referral efficiency, thereby advancing universal health coverage, equity, and accessibility so that no one is left behind. Her strategic advocacy resulted in decisive national policy action, with the Malaysian Government allocating RM30 million in 2026 to strengthen diagnostic and treatment capacity through the procurement of medical equipment for health clinics nationwide—representing a transformative investment in primary care infrastructure and service delivery. This initiative also enables the Ministry of Health Malaysia to secure a dedicated annual budget for phased implementation, beginning with pilot clusters and expanding nationwide within a five-year period.

Her earlier service as President of the Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia and Past President of the Family Medicine Specialists Association strengthened professional standards, postgraduate training pathways, and leadership development within the discipline. She actively advocated for amendments to the Malaysian Medical Act in 2024 to ensure the continuous production of Family Medicine specialists, with the national goal of achieving a 1:4,000 Family Medicine Specialist-to-population ratio by 2050.

She is also widely recognised as an effective communicator and educator. She has been actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate training programmes in Family Medicine for nearly twenty years. She currently serves as Chairperson of the National Family Medicine Curriculum Committee under the Malaysian Medical Council. She has authored more than 70 peer-reviewed publications and has spoken at numerous national and international conferences. She has represented Malaysia at WONCA World and Asia-Pacific conferences, international harm reduction forums, and WHO-related meetings, communicating sensitive public health issues with clarity and credibility. She has also participated in numerous multi-national, multi-centre clinical trials and research initiatives. She was the principal author of a book on common clinical problems in primary care in Malaysia, which has become a key reference for primary care providers and trainees nationwide. Her engagement with the media and professional audiences has supported informed public dialogue on addiction, HIV, adolescent health, and non-communicable diseases.

Her leadership in community-based harm reduction and health equity initiatives has been acknowledged nationally and internationally, including recognition from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Across clinical care, governance, advocacy, education, and team leadership, Dato’ Dr Norsiah has consistently worked to improve access to, quality of, and dignity in primary care for all populations, including vulnerable and marginalised groups.

In recognising her with the Regional Five Star Doctor Award 2026, WONCA acknowledges her sustained and exemplary contributions to primary care, health system strengthening, and the advancement of Family Medicine in Malaysia and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Dr Adekunle Joseph Ariba

Regional Five Star Doctor Award 2026 - Africa Region
Nominated by the Society of Family Physician Organization Nigeria (SOFPON)

Dr Adekunle Joseph Ariba is a Chief Consultant and senior trainer in Family Medicine whose work has significantly shaped postgraduate training and service delivery in Nigeria. He currently serves as a trainer with the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and is widely recognised for establishing the Department of Family Medicine at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State. From its inception, he built the department into a structured training centre that has produced and continues to train many Family Physicians, strengthening the discipline at institutional and national levels.

As a care provider, Dr Ariba is known for delivering personalised, comprehensive care that considers patients within their family and community contexts. His clinical approach has contributed to the growth and reputation of the Family Medicine department at OOUTH, positioning it as a central point of coordinated care within the hospital. He models continuity of care, preventive practice, and cultural sensitivity, while mentoring residents in the practical application of patient-centred principles.

In his role as a decision maker, Dr Ariba has demonstrated balanced clinical judgement grounded in ethics, cost-effectiveness, and respect for patient preferences. As a former Secretary of the Faculty of Family Medicine at the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and past Secretary of SOFPON, he has contributed to academic governance and professional development within the specialty. He has also maintained active engagement with WONCA, serving as a direct member and participating in the WONCA Working Party on Mental Health since 2007. He currently serves as Vice President for the African Region of the World Organization of Family Doctors Working Party on Mental Health, supporting regional collaboration and professional exchange.

Dr Ariba’s contribution extends beyond the clinic. He has been involved in community advocacy initiatives, including participation in weekly radio programmes linked to OOUTH that address public health concerns and promote preventive health education. His communication style emphasises clear explanation, patient empowerment, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. Through teaching, mentorship, and community outreach, he continues to inspire younger physicians and encourage engagement in professional networks and global family medicine activities.

As a team member, Dr Ariba has worked collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues in patient care, research, and training. His leadership in developing the Family Medicine department at OOUTH reflects coordination, mentorship, and commitment to shared goals. In recognising Dr Adekunle Ariba with the Regional Five Star Doctor Award 2026, WONCA acknowledges his sustained service in clinical care, postgraduate education, mental health advocacy, and the advancement of Family Medicine in Nigeria and the African region.

Dr Robin Ramsay

Regional Five Star Doctor Award 2026 - Europe Region
Nominated by two independent colleagues

Dr Robin Ramsay is a Scottish general practitioner and medical educator whose work bridges clinical practice, postgraduate education, and international collaboration in Family Medicine. Nominated independently by two colleagues, he is recognised for sustained commitment to person-centred care and for strengthening the discipline globally. He practises in Blackridge, west of Edinburgh, serving a community with significant socio-economic challenges, while also leading international educational initiatives through the University of Edinburgh.

As a care provider, Dr Ramsay is known for continuity, compassion, and careful clinical judgement. His consultations integrate biomedical expertise with a strong understanding of patients’ social and emotional contexts. He is particularly skilled in managing complexity and uncertainty, supporting people with chronic illness, multimorbidity, and socially determined health needs. Patients and colleagues describe a clinician who listens closely, explains clearly, and builds long-term therapeutic relationships grounded in trust and shared decision-making.

Dr Ramsay has made a substantial contribution as an educator and decision maker. Since 2014, he has served as Clinical Programme Director of the University of Edinburgh’s online, part-time Master of Family Medicine. Under his leadership, the programme has expanded its global reach, enabling doctors in low- and middle-income settings to undertake postgraduate study while remaining in their communities. He has helped shape a curriculum that balances academic rigour with practical relevance, and he has fostered an international alumni network that includes active contributors to WONCA. His published work includes collaboration on global primary care education, including the widely cited article, “Reimagining medical education for primary care in the time of COVID-19.”

Communication is central to Dr Ramsay’s work. Whether teaching, supervising quality improvement projects, chairing meetings, or consulting with patients, he combines clarity with empathy. He creates space for others to contribute, guiding discussion with calm authority while ensuring shared ownership of decisions. His leadership style is inclusive and grounded, supporting colleagues and learners to develop confidence, reflective practice, and professional integrity.

Beyond his local practice, Dr Ramsay has contributed to international Family Medicine through roles with the Royal College of General Practitioners and WONCA, including involvement in global education initiatives. His experience working in Uganda, Nepal, and the Philippines informs a strong commitment to equity and community-responsive care. In recognising Dr Robin Ramsay with the Regional Five Star Doctor Award 2026, WONCA acknowledges a clinician and educator whose work strengthens primary care both locally and globally, and whose leadership reflects the collaborative and community-focused values of Family Medicine.