Dr Meryl Oyomno, Head of the Surgical Domain at Nelson Mandela University, is a Specialist General and Colorectal Surgeon. She previously headed the Lower GIT Unit at the University of Pretoria’sSteve Biko Academic Hospital. Her research focuses on the molecular profiling of colorectal cancer and its association with HIV, as well as surgical outcomes, health systems strengthening, and equitable access to surgical care in low- and middle-income countries.

A WomenLift Health Leadership Global Fellow and Secretary General of the South African Colorectal Society, she is currently leading initiatives to advance a National Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme and strengthen specialist surgical services across the Eastern Cape. She is passionate about improving access to high-quality surgical care and developing the next generation of surgical leaders across Africa.