From St George's to Global Healthcare

Dr Armid Azadeh, Prep Alumni

Career Journey

I started at St George's in Grade 1 (then known as Sub A with Mrs King) in 1985, before moving to St Paul's in Grade 5 because my older brother was already attending there. At the time, St George's only went up to Grade 7, so I missed out on the final Fish River hike. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to experience it years later alongside my first son, Keon.

After finishing school, I studied Medicine at the University of Cape Town (UCT), returned to Namibia for my internship at Katutura State Hospital, and worked as a general practitioner (GP). I later joined International SOS, which took me to diverse and remote environments, including an island in West Africa, North Africa, and even an oil rig crossing the Indian Ocean.

After getting married, my family and I spent several years living and working in Nigeria and Indonesia before moving to the United States, where I completed a Master of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. I returned to Namibia in 2011 and worked as both a GP and an emergency centre doctor. In 2016, I founded OnCall Africa, a digital health company focused on expanding access to healthcare across the country. Along the way, I also completed an MBA to support my entrepreneurial journey.

Values & Foundations

Although I left St George's at a young age, it left a lasting impression on me through its nurturing and inclusive approach to education. Between 1985 and 1989, during the height of apartheid, it stood out as one of the few fully integrated preparatory schools in Windhoek—something that strongly resonated with my upbringing and values.

That experience stayed with me, which is why my wife and I later chose to send both of our children to St George's. It reinforced the importance of empathy, inclusivity, and creating environments where children feel seen, valued, and supported.

School Memories

Today's students are incredibly fortunate to have access to such outstanding facilities—from pickleball and basketball courts to grass soccer fields, a middle school, a high school, and, hopefully soon, an indoor gymnasium.

Back then, our "soccer field" was gravel, complete with a tree on the halfway line and a jungle gym creeping into the corner flag area! It wasn't perfect, but it was full of character. Those moments of improvisation, creativity, and play are what made it so memorable.

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People Who Made a Difference

My Grade 1 teacher, Mrs King, stands out as my very first teacher and someone I still remember fondly. I also knew her children well, which makes that connection even more special.

Later, Mrs Crawford taught me swimming, while her son was my classmate throughout high school. It's remarkable to see that she is still going strong today. These teachers weren't just educators—they were steady, caring influences who helped shape our earliest experiences of school and learning.

5. Advice to Current Students

Life is full of opportunities, but you have to be open to them. Sometimes doors will close, and that can feel discouraging, but often those moments simply lead you to new and unexpected paths.

While you're at school, everything can feel incredibly high-stakes, as though each moment will define your future. In reality, it's just one chapter of a much bigger journey. The challenges you face today are preparing you to make the most of the opportunities that will continue to come your way.

'Stay curious, stay open, and trust that things will unfold as they should.'