NHS consultant and author Dr Rageshri Dhairyawan has been awarded the 2025 Gilead & Kite Campaigner for Health Equity Award at the Women of the Year Lunch & Awards, recognising her leadership in improving health equity, particularly for people living with HIV.

Dhairyawan’s career has focused on advancing health equity for marginalised communities, addressing structural inequalities in healthcare access and outcomes. The award highlights her influence across clinical practice, public health and research, and her efforts to redefine equitable healthcare.

Her work in the HIV field has been especially impactful, advocating for inclusive sexual health services and ensuring that the voices of people living with HIV from underrepresented communities are reflected in policy, research and care provision. She currently works at Barts Health NHS Trust.

As a clinician and researcher, Dhairyawan has developed initiatives to improve care pathways, shape health policy and ensure healthcare systems better serve underserved populations. In 2024, she published Unheard: The Medical Practice of Silencing (Trapeze), examining how patient voices are marginalised in healthcare systems. Through research, writing and public speaking, she continues to challenge medical norms and advocate for inclusive, equitable healthcare.

Vix Brenninkmeijer, chair of Women of the Year, said: “Dr Dhairyawan’s commitment to tackling health inequalities makes her a truly deserving recipient of our Campaigner for Health Equity Award. Her work combines clinical excellence with advocacy and research, demonstrating the profound difference one individual can make to communities and policy. In a highly competitive category, her achievements stood out for both their depth and reach.”

Dr Dhairyawan commented: “I’m deeply honoured to receive this award, which is a reflection of not just my efforts, but of my NHS colleagues, collaborators and supporters along the way. I am particularly grateful to the HIV community who have taught me so much about the importance of listening to marginalised voices and the importance of collective action, and from whom I continue to learn every day. Thank you for this incredible recognition.”

Rita Amieiro, executive director, public affairs, Australia, Canada and Europe region, added: “Dr Dhairyawan’s work exemplifies the kind of transformative leadership we strive to support at Gilead and Kite. Her unwavering commitment to health equity, especially for people living with HIV, has not only shaped policy and practice but also amplified the voices of those too often unheard. At Gilead, inspired by our bold ambitions, we’re committed to improving the lives of patients and the health of the generations to come and advance global health equity by supporting those who challenge systemic barriers and drive inclusive change. We are proud to honour Dr Dhairyawan as this year’s Campaigner for Health Equity.”