Heartfelt congratulations to Heather Zar on being awarded the Platinum Award at the 7th SAMRC Scientific Merit Awards.  The SAMRC confers Platinum medals for a Lifetime Achievement Award to scientists who have achieved a lifetime of outstanding endeavours   in the field of health. Heather is thus receiving this award in recognition of significant scientific achievements over a sustained period of time. She joins a few esteemed past recipients of this prestigious award that include our former Dean, the late Professor Bongani Mayosi.