Dr Porter received his early education in Sierra Leone and Kenya, East Africa. After attending the University of Sierra Leone, he transferred to Cambridge University in England, where he received his B.A. in anatomy, M.A. in natural sciences and his Medical degree. Later, Dr. Porter earned his M.B.A. from the University of Tennessee and certificates in Medical Management from Harvard University and the University of Toronto. He received his Diplomate Status and Fellowship in Health Care Administration from the American Academy of Medical Administrators.

Dr Porter is credited with introducing several novel concepts to radiation therapy. His major areas of academic endeavor relate to the medical uses of radioactive isotopes and the treatment of prostate cancer. Dr. Porter’s extensive international background includes medical practice, business and academic leadership positions in Canada, Europe, Africa and the United States. He has served as a Consultant to the World Health Organization, and has worked to establish medical programmes in Turkey, India, Yemen, Bahamas, Brazil, Liberia, and throughout Europe. Dr. Porter opened the first state-of-the-art cancer centre in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

In 1999, Dr. Porter was named CEO of the Detroit Medical Center, a US$1.6 billion health system, which is also one of the United States’ largest urban systems and the largest non-government employer in Detroit. In February 2004, Dr. Porter was appointed Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) in Montréal, Canada. With six teaching hospitals affiliated with McGill University, the MUHC is one of the most comprehensive academic health centres in North America with some 14,000 healthcare professionals, researchers and other personnel as well as a service corridor that extends clear across Québec. In July 2004, the MUHC received a commitment of $1.579 billion for its redevelopment project on two campuses. This represents one of the largest healthcare projects in Canada. In 2008, the Research Institute of the MUHC was also awarded $250M in landmark funding, which is a testament to the institution’s vision, the value of its research and the quality of its investigators. Dr. Porter is a Past President of the American Brachytherapy Society; the American College of Oncology Administrators; the American Cancer Society (Great Lakes); and the American College of Radiation Oncology; and past Chairman of the Board of Chancellors of the American College of Radiation Oncology. Between 2006 and 2008, Dr Porter also served on the Governing Council of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Dr. Porter continues to exploit his finance and business background. He teaches part of a M.B.A. course at the University of Tennessee (Mergers and Acquisitions) and at McGill’s School of Business Administration (leadership). He consults regularly with several major companies in the Airline and Energy sectors regarding HR and logistic challenges, and has most recently been appointed an Advisor to the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone. He also serves on a number of boards of directors, including Air Canada. Most recently, Dr. Porter was appointed to the Government of Canada’s Privy Council and the Security Intelligence Review Committee.