Stuart J. Kingma (1935-2022) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Dr. Stuart J. Kingma was a public health leader who dedicated his life to improving the health of people around the world. He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on June 25, 1935. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Calvin College and earned his medical degree from Cornell Medical School, NYC. Kingma then did an internship and surgery residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. While there, Kingma made it known to the Christian Reformed Church Board of Foreign Missions that he wished to enter service as a medical missionary.

In 1961, Dr. Kingma began his work abroad in Nigeria. serving as the Medical Superintendent of the Mkar Christian Hospital through Christian Reformed World Missions. He later joined the Christian Medical Commission (CMC), serving as a team member and director. He held numerous conferences and workshops and wrote countless articles and papers to help organizations around the world improve their health programs. 

Dr. Kingma found his mission in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. He worked with the World Health Organization (WHO) and later for UNAIDS. He co-founded the Civil/Military Alliance to Combat HIV/AIDS and later taught African Studies at the Webster University of Geneva in Switzerland.