John Heshmat is a public health specialist and clinical research leader working at the intersection of cardiovascular health, rare diseases, and health equity in Africa. He is the Founder and Coordinator of Amyloidosis Africa, a continental initiative dedicated to improving awareness, early diagnosis, and collaborative research on cardiac amyloidosis across African countries.
His work focuses on addressing the persistent gap in the recognition and diagnosis of rare and inherited cardiovascular diseases, particularly transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CM), in African healthcare systems where awareness, diagnostic pathways, and research representation remain limited. Through Amyloidosis Africa, he is working to build a network of clinicians, researchers, and institutions to strengthen education, improve diagnostic readiness, and expand collaborative research across the continent.
John combines a background in pharmacy, clinical research, and public health with extensive field experience working in hospitals and underserved communities across Africa. His work emphasizes strengthening healthcare workforce capacity, supporting clinician education, and promoting research initiatives that better reflect African populations and healthcare systems.
He is also the Co-Founder and Chairman of CRK Clinical Research Key (CRK-NGO), a Kenyan organization dedicated to advancing clinical and public health research in underserved communities. Through this work, he leads investigator-driven research and educational initiatives focused on neglected and rare diseases and collaborates with international partners and research groups to expand opportunities for research and training in Africa.
In addition, John serves as the Country Coordinator in Kenya for Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque, an international humanitarian organization that facilitates life-saving heart surgery for children from countries where such procedures are not accessible. He is also an Ambassador of the Formation 5/5 Pediatric Cardiology Education Program, a global mobile learning initiative designed to train physicians in the early recognition and management of congenital heart disease in underserved settings.
John has also led national educational initiatives on transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis, including the development of a CPD-accredited training program for healthcare professionals in Kenya aimed at improving awareness and early recognition of the disease among cardiologists, physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers.
In addition to his research and educational work, John has extensive experience in public health program implementation and community health initiatives. He has contributed to large-scale health programs addressing HIV, tuberculosis, cervical cancer, and gender-based violence, and has coordinated medical outreach initiatives in underserved communities, including urban informal settlements and remote regions.
John holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from Liverpool John Moores University (United Kingdom) and a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy. He also holds a Diploma in Project Management in Practice and a Diploma in Public Relations, reflecting his multidisciplinary approach to health leadership, research coordination, and strategic communication. He is an ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) provider and a member of the International Society of Amyloidosis (ISA).
Through his work, John is committed to building Africa-led initiatives that strengthen clinical knowledge, expand research collaboration, and improve early recognition of cardiovascular diseases, particularly rare and underdiagnosed conditions, across the continent.
