University of St Andrews

School of Medicine: Alumni in history

Alumni in history

The renewal of the MBChB programme in 2025 marks the continuation of a longer tradition at St Andrews. From 1897 to 1967, St Andrews offered the MBChB degree. This online installation tells this history through some of St Andrews’ most notable alumni of the MBChB programme. Click on their names to learn more about how these graduates shaped the field of medicine.
Before the MBChB
Before the creation of the combined medicine and surgery bachelor’s degree (MBChB), St Andrews offered a medical doctorate (MD).
A Battle for inclusion
National reforms allowed women to earn degrees at Scottish universities from 1892. Soon after, St Andrews created a new medical school, which would see the first women medical students graduate with an MBChB in 1905.
Women in medicine

Margaret Fairlie (1891–1963) was a gynaecologist and obstetrician. She was an early pioneer of cancer treatment and the first female professor in Scotland.

Developing global health
Monowar Khan Afridi (1900–1968) was a malariologist and pioneer in global health in the early years of the World Health Organisation
Inequalities exposed
Douglas Black (1913–2002) was a nephrologist, public health advocate, and leader in British medicine. He created the famous ‘Black Report’, revealing health inequalities in Britain.
Rational drug design
James Black (1924–2010) was a pharmacologist and the University’s first and only Nobel Prize laureate, receiving this honour for his pioneering approach to drug design.
The Hands of a lady
Caroline May Doig (1938–2019) was a paediatric surgeon specialising in gastroenterology. She was an early pioneer for women in surgery.
Medicine and policy
Narendra Patel (1938–present) is an obstetrician and specialist in maternal care. He currently serves in the House of Lords, informing health policy in Britain.
On the frontlines
David Nott (1956-present) is a vascular surgeon specialising in laparoscopic techniques. He has volunteered annually to provide trauma surgery in war and disaster zones.
John Forfar
John Forfar (1916–2013) was a paediatrician and specialist in neonatal medicine. He devoted his career to improving child health in Britain.
Christopher Booth
Christopher Booth (1924–2012), a gastroenterologist, produced groundbreaking research on vitamin absorption in the intestine.
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