Margaret Chan

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Rankings

Covers

Records

Margaret Chan's career is marked by historic firsts and significant leadership. She was the first Chinese national to lead a United Nations agency, breaking barriers in global governance. Her management of the H5N1 avian flu and SARS outbreaks in Hong Kong demonstrated her crisis-handling skills. At the WHO, she led responses to the H1N1 pandemic and Ebola, shaping global health policy. Her advocacy for universal health coverage has influenced international health agendas. Forbes ranked her the 30th most powerful woman in the world in 2014, a testament to her influence.

AwardsMargaret Chan's awards are honorary and recognition-based, reflecting her contributions to global health rather than competitive industry accolades. She has received honorary Doctor of Science degrees from institutions including the University of Western Ontario. In 2017, she presented the WHO's gold medal to Princess Lalla Salma, a role that underscored her leadership. Her recognition comes from public health and diplomatic communities.

Honours & Distinctions

Forbes Most Powerful Women

Forbes·2014

Ranked 30th in the world.

WHO Director-General

World Health Organization·2006-2017

First Chinese national to lead a UN agency.

Member of CPPCC

Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference·2018

Continuing involvement in public health policy.

Rankings & Lists

#30

Most Powerful Women in the World

Forbes·2014

Magazine Covers

The Lancet

2012-09-08

Margaret Chan: committed to universal health coverage

New England Journal of Medicine

2007-02-15

Improving Global Health — Margaret Chan at the WHO

PBS NOVA

2015-09-28

Margaret Chan interview

Politico

2017-01-22

World looks for a better doctor

Reuters

2016-02-08

WHO reform feature

Records & Feats

First Chinese national to lead a United Nations agency

Historic First·2006

Served as WHO Director-General from 2006 to 2017, a historic first for global governance.