KINGSTON, Jamaica — The regional and international academic community is mourning the passing of Dr Tomlin Paul, a respected physician, medical educator, and academic leader whose career spanned more than three decades of service to the health profession, education, public health, and institutional development.

In a release on Wednesday, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles upon reflecting on the community’s loss said, “Our university was greatly enriched by the presence of this remarkable man. Humane, collegial, and decent to the core, Dr Paul was a pillar of the principle-driven institution we all hold most dear.  During troubling days when dark clouds threatened, he called upon us to see the bright light of hope. We are all beneficiaries of his enlightenment.”

Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal of the Mona Campus, Professor Densil A Williams said, “It is with profound sadness and a deep sense of loss that I eulogise my colleague and dependable deputy principal, Dr Tomlin Paul. Dr Paul was no ordinary member of the UWI family. He was a giant among us as he championed student success, a portfolio that was close to his heart. Deputy Principal for student success was not only a vocation, it was also a devotion that he had. It was Tomlin’s life’s desire to ensure that all students who entered our beloved campus were able to succeed at whatever their hearts desired. He was painstakingly thorough as he built out the student success portfolio at the Mona Campus to ensure that we not only delivered a world-class teaching and learning experience to our students but also ensured the future competitiveness of the UWI brand in the higher educational marketplace.”

“Tomlin was a team player who would go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that the UWI brand is protected and the Mona Campus not only survives but prospers at all its endeavours. I will miss his wise counsel, especially during times of turbulence. He was always a voice of reason, a calm spirit to cool any tension in any room and an intellectual tour de force who helped to position thought leadership as a major plank of the Mona Campus’s leadership during this period of administrative oversight.”

Added Williams: “Walk good, Tomlin. You have played a fine innings, and now I am sure you can go into the pavilion with great certainty that the legacy you left will last a lifetime and the world will be better for it.”

Dr Paul’s distinguished academic journey began in 1990 when he joined The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, as a lecturer. Over the years, he held numerous leadership roles and contributed significantly to the advancement of medical education in the Caribbean. He served as senior lecturer in Community Health, Director of the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) Programme, Deputy Dean, and later Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences from 2017 to 2021.

During his tenure as Dean, Dr Paul championed academic excellence, student engagement, and institutional innovation. Under his stewardship, the Faculty of Medical Sciences received the ASPIRE-to-Excellence Award in Medical Education for Social Accountability from the Association for Medical Education in Europe, recognising the faculty’s leadership in aligning medical education with the needs of society. His office was also honoured with the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence 2020/2021, reflecting his unwavering commitment to quality, collaboration, and excellence in academia.

Along with his leadership at The UWI Mona, Dr Paul continued his global academic contributions at the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda, where he served as Chair of the Educational Development and Quality Centre and Dean of Research, Innovation and Quality. In this role, he further strengthened international partnerships and supported innovation in health professions’ education.

A recipient of the Five-Star Doctor Award from the World Organization of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations of General Practitioners/Family Physicians (WONCA), Dr Paul was widely recognised for exemplifying the qualities of an outstanding physician: skilled clinician, dedicated educator, effective communicator, community advocate, and visionary leader.

Dr Paul was a passionate advocate for social accountability in medical education. He served as a member of the working group that developed the Institutional Self-Assessment Social Accountability Tool, now used by medical schools worldwide to strengthen their responsiveness to community health needs. He was also an active member of the International Social Accountability and Accreditation Think Tank, contributing to global discussions on accreditation and quality standards in medical education.

Throughout his career, Dr Paul combined scholarship with service. He authored and co-authored more than 50 publications, including a book, ‘Detailing Doctors’, several book chapters and numerous citations in research papers. His research focused on quality in health professions’ education and the advancement of socially accountable health systems. He also worked as a consultant and collaborator with regional educational institutions, quality assurance bodies, and the Pan American Health Organization. In recognition of his expertise and contributions to medical education, Dr Paul was named a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Educators in the United Kingdom and was a member of the International Higher Education Teaching and Learning Association.

Dr Tomlin Paul’s term as deputy principal began on August 1, 2023. As deputy principal of the Mona campus, Dr Paul’s care and commitment to students’ academic outcomes and well-being led to him spearheading the charge on student success during his tenure. The Academic Support Unit (ASU) and other such internal initiatives that benefitted from his guidance will continue Dr Paul’s life work in ensuring that every student has the tools and resources at their disposal to be a success.

Colleagues, students, and collaborators remember Dr Paul not only for his scholarship and leadership but also for his humility, mentorship, and deep commitment to nurturing individuals and strengthening institutions. His work emphasised the human dynamics of leadership and the importance of continuous quality improvement in higher education.

Dr Tomlin Paul’s passing represents a profound loss to the academic, medical, and public health communities. His legacy will endure through the institutions he helped shape, the global networks he strengthened, and the many students and professionals he mentored throughout his career, the release said.

“Dr Paul will be remembered as a visionary educator, dedicated physician, and steadfast advocate for excellence and social accountability in health professions’ education,”  it added.