Award-winning Consultant Anaesthetist at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, Dr Michelle White MB ChB, PhD, DCH, FRCA, has been appointed as Mercy Ships’ new Global Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Mercy Ships UK is delighted to announce the news as Dr White first began her journey volunteering with the Christian international healthcare charity, operating the world’s largest fleet of civilian hospital ships, through her medical work in the UK.
Dr White is a long-standing member of the Mercy Ships family, first volunteering in 2005 and later serving five years on board the Africa Mercy in leadership roles, including as Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Director of Medical Capacity Building.
Having studied medicine at Bristol, Dr White currently serves as a Trustee of Mercy Ships UK and as a member of the Mercy Ships International Board of Directors. In her new global CEO role, Dr White will be strategically leading the international charity in delivering free, life-changing surgeries and healthcare, working to build local medical capacity and infrastructure for long-term sustainability, and partnering with African nations.
As one of 16 National Offices, Mercy Ships UK is looking forward to partnering with Dr White to achieve the overall strategic direction that she sets for the organisation.
Alongside her Mercy Ships service, Dr White is an award-winning Consultant Anaesthetist at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, Europe’s leading children’s hospital, where she leads complex anaesthesia services and has introduced operational hospital improvements.
Her career also includes spearheading multi-country health system initiatives in Africa, partnering with Ministers of Health, NGOs, and donors to expand surgical safety and training programmes.
Reflecting on her appointment, Dr White said: “I believe this opportunity represents the culmination of my professional calling and spiritual journey. This is a chance to lead an organisation I love into its next season of growth and gospel-shaped impact.”
With more than 17 years of leadership experience across healthcare, international development, and academia, Dr White brings a unique blend of clinical excellence, nonprofit governance, and faith-driven servant leadership. She has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications and continues to champion operational excellence across the medical sector.
“Dr Michelle White lives out the values and vision that have defined Mercy Ships for nearly 50 years,” said Mercy Ships Board Chair Gary Brown. “As a valued Mercy Ships International Board member, we have seen her medical expertise, leadership skills, and deep commitment to Jesus. Her long-standing service as a volunteer with our community makes her the ideal leader Mercy Ships needs for the years ahead.”
Dr White is expected to assume her role as CEO early next year, following her transition from Great Ormond Street Hospital. She succeeds Interim CEO and Board Chair Gary Brown, who has led the organisation through this transition period. The firm of CarterBaldwin Executive Search supported Mercy Ships in the selection process.
Mercy Ships is a pioneering international health charity which deploys hospital ships to ports across sub-Saharan Africa, delivering vital, free healthcare to people in desperate need.
The Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy are the world’s largest non-governmental floating hospitals, complete with state-of-the-art facilities including operating theatres, recovery wards, intensive care, a pharmacy, and low-dependency wards. The vessels are also home to volunteer crew who give their time to serve on board the two ships.
To find out more about Mercy Ships, visit mercyships.org.uk.
