Sharon Fonn

Sharon Fonn, now a full professor in the Wits School of Public Health, was the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Head of the School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand which she led from 2003-2011. She is a medical doctor, and registered public health specialist, holds a PhD and is a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa. Before leading the School of Public Health, Professor Fonn spent a decade as research director of the Women’s Health Project. Previously Professor Fonn set up ‘Birth-to-Ten’ (now Twenty), a unique birth cohort following over 3000 children in Soweto, South Africa. Prior to that she served the newly developed trade union movement providing health and safety training and conducting research; and is an experienced manager-innovator of rural and urban public health services.