Dear colleagues,
It is hard to believe we are in the month of May already and what a busy few months it has been at the College of Medicine and Health. We have lots to celebrate including our Athena Swan Bronze Award for our School of Medicine which means all six schools in our college are now fully accredited by the Athena SWAN charter. These awards illustrate our ongoing commitment to progressing gender equality and equity, diversity and inclusion within our college.
Professor Helen Whelton HeadCollege of Medicine and Health
We had great news with the publication of QS World University Subject Rankings 2024. UCC was named as one of the world’s top universities for the study of nursing and midwifery. Nursing as a subject now ranks an impressive 32nd in the world. Pharmacy and pharmacology at UCC improved five places and now ranks 94th in the top 100. Anatomy and Physiology at UCC are ranked in the top 200 and Medicine in the top 250. A wonderful achievement and well-deserved recognition of everyone's hard work.
our partnership with the health service. As the HSE is currently undergoing a major restructure we are delighted to work with our HSE colleagues and to welcome Mr. Andy Phillips the recently appointed Regional Executive Officer for the HSE South Region. We have many joint projects and initiatives across the realms of teaching and research including the development of a regional HSE Reference Ethics Committee which will also serve as a UCC research ethics committee. We are also making excellent progress with our joint integrated HSE/UCC research governance (IRG) project. The IRG project seeks to align and streamline research processes and procedures between UCC and the region to facilitate and encourage research for patient benefit. Another exciting partnership which will benefit patients is that of our initiative under the leadership of Prof. Roisin Connolly to obtain European Cancer Institute accreditation.
Chief Academic Officer
HSE South/South West Hospital Group
Indeed, I would like to thank you all for your tremendous work over the last few months, I appreciate your patience and commitment as we continue to work through project Alpha and the impact of our staffing challenges. I see the effort colleagues are making and the enormous work that goes in to applying for grants and external funding. Given the current constraints I am particularly proud of the efforts that all of you are making and of your extraordinary productivity. We will host a College town hall meeting this month to update colleagues on progress.
Our success as a College is closely interwoven with
Last month we celebrated the 10th birthday of INFANT. I would like to congratulate Professor Geraldine Boylan and all our colleagues at INFANT on 10 years of remarkable work, some of it highlighted here in our newsletter. INFANT continues to go from strength to strength as it grows and is a major pillar of UCC Futures Children’s theme in this University.
I was delighted to attend the International Association for Dental Research in New Orleans where I presented at a Hands-on Workshop on public engagement in policy development and the concept of Citizens Assemblies. I am grateful to our previous chair of Governing Body Dr. Catherine Day for sharing with me her experience of the process as Chair of the Citizens Assembly to advance gender equality here in Ireland.
At the same conference it was also a proud moment to see our alumnus and 2023 SFI St Patrick's Day Medal winner Professor Paul Whelton give a plenary distinguished speaker address on ‘Prevention, Control and Treatment of High Blood Pressure: The Way Forward’.
Health Policy development was also on the agenda for the Science Committee of the International Dental Federation (FDI) in Costa Rica recently where I worked with colleagues to develop global policies for FDI to share with national governments world-wide. Both meetings provided excellent insights into new developments in health education, on topics such as use of lasers in dentistry, development of electronic health records, developments in digital health and how we need to develop policies to ensure quality in these areas.
As I write this piece I cannot but think with great sadness and a sense of loss, of my good friend and colleague Chris Williams, Head of UCC College of Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences who passed away so suddenly on April 7th. He was a valuable member of the University’s Leadership Team, a dear friend and trusted colleague to so many. We will miss him, his wit, his insight and his wisdom. We still have a sense of disbelief at his passing. My deepest condolences to Chris’s wife Sara, his family, his colleagues and his friends.
I hope you enjoy our newsletter. You will see we had the pleasure of conferring 287 students from five of our schools recently. It is wonderful to see everyone enjoy these special occasions with friends and family. We had some wonderful events take place in the college over the last few months – you can read about some of them here and on our website.
"We had great news with the publication of QS World University Subject Rankings 2024. UCC was named as one of the world’s top universities for the study of nursing and midwifery. Nursing as a subject ranks an impressive 32nd in the world. Pharmacy and Pharmacology at UCC improved five places and now ranks 94th in the top 100. Anatomy and Physiology at UCC are ranked in the top 200 and Medicine in the top 250. A wonderful achievement and well-deserved recognition of everyone's hard work.
Professor Helen Whelton Head of College of Medicine & Health University College Cork
Happy 20th Anniversary to our School of Pharmacy. Great to celebrate with colleagues and friends who all played roles in building 20 years of success and impact. Link to the School’s new Vision and Implementation Plan for 2023 – 28 here
Congratulations to all of our new graduates from the College of Medicine and Health who were conferred in March. The ceremonies saw 287 graduates conferred with Degrees, Masters and PhDs from our School of Medicine, School of Nursing & Midwifery, School of Pharmacy, School of Public Health and our Dental School and Hospital. UCC President John O’Halloran and Professor Paula O’Leary, Dean of School of Medicine congratulated all graduates from across a diverse range of healthcare disciplines.
They included medicine, clinical pharmacy, public health, sports and exercise medicine, nursing and midwifery, pharmaceutical technology and quality systems, older person rehabilitation, occupational health, surgical science including 100 students who graduated in paramedicine – 77 graduated with BSc in Paramedicine Studies, 23 postgraduates with MSc in Specialist Paramedic Practice and 62 students graduated in Master of Public Health.
Wishing all our graduates the best of luck as they embark on their exciting new journeys. Stay in touch.
Professor Gerard O’Keeffe
Tell me a bit about yourself - where you are from, where you studied, your area of interest, how you ended up at UCC?
I grew up in Lismore, Co. Waterford but I moved to Cork as a student when I completed BSc and PhD Degrees in Neuroscience in UCC. Following this I moved to Cardiff University in Wales as a Post-Doctoral Researcher for four years which was a great experience. In 2008, I returned to UCC as a Lecturer in Anatomy & Neuroscience on what was at the time the new graduate entry to medicine programme and I have been here since.
Showcase event for UCC innovation week which also saw the first intake of CoMH researchers into the Digital Badge in Innovation & Intellectual property for scientists, engineers and healthcare professionals.
Is there a particular project/event that you are excited about & why?
The new Academic Health Sciences Awards. These are seed funding awards of up to €10,000 or up to €30,000 that will support new multidisciplinary collaborative teams of researchers within the Academic Health Sciences System. I am looking forward to seeing how these advances in research and innovation will be translated for the benefit of all.
Tell me about your role as Vice Head for Research and Innovation at College of Medicine and Health. What does it involve?
There are many and varied elements to the role but at its core I see it being primarily about supporting people by maximising the availability of supports and creating new opportunities for researchers at all career stages to advance their research & innovation and its translation for the benefit of all. This is a team effort that involves working with colleagues from Schools and Research Centres from across the College, with OVPRI and with our external partners.
Favourite book and or podcast and why?
This varies quite a lot depending on the week. I have a personal interest in exercise and its impact of human performance and longevity and a podcast I listen to regularly is The Peter Attia Drive podcast. From this podcast I recently came across a 73 year old person from Cork, who took up rowing at 73 having not exercised prior to this and who has subsequently won multiple world indoor rowing championships in the 90-94 age division, so there is hope for us all yet.
Vice Dean
Research and Innovation
Professor
Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience
What is happening in this area at CoMH at the moment?
It has been busy. A recent important event was the launch of the INFANT Cerebral Palsy Foundation SFI strategic partnership called ELEVATE. We also recently opened a call for a new seed funding scheme called the Academic Health Sciences Awards. Together with SEFS and UCC Innovation we hosted an Innovation
“There are many and varied elements to the role but at its core I see it being primarily about supporting people by maximising the availability of supports and creating new opportunities for researchers at all career stages to advance their research & innovation and its translation for the benefit of all.”
with our Vice Dean of Graduate Studies
Professor Yvonne Nolan
Vice Dean Graduate Studies
Professor Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience
Tell me a bit about yourself - where you are from, where you studied, your area of interest, how you ended up at UCC.
I’m a Galway girl! I did a BSc in Biochemistry at NUI, Galway followed by a PhD in Neuropharmacology. Both here at UCC and at McGill University, Montreal I investigated the interactions between stress and the immune system on behaviour. My postdoctoral work in Trinity College Dublin then focused on brain inflammation, ageing and memory. Tom Connor, a friend and mentor at TCD encouraged me to apply for a lectureship in the Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience at UCC and I’m still here 20 years later.
Tell me about your role Vice Head of Graduate Studies at College of Medicine and Health. What does it involve?
There is never a dull moment in Graduate Studies. A typical day could include reviewing examiner reports at ACGSC, meeting a PhD student who may have a particular concern, planning a career workshop for students and chairing a meeting to review applications for Doctoral Bursaries. Part of UCC’s Strategic Plan is to increase PhD enrolment numbers and to enhance the research student experience so activities in this regard are always on my agenda.
What is happening in this area at CoMH at the moment?
The College has recently supported four PhD scholarships to provide an opportunity for Health Science Professionals to conduct research whilst in employment. Our Graduate Studies committee has also launched the Research Student Awards to recognise the achievments, efforts, and valuable contributions of our students.
Is there a particular project/event that you are excited about & why?
We have recently invited video submissions from students to showcase their research in one minute. The winners of this competition as well as the Student Awards will be announced at a summer ‘dance’ event organised by the Postgraduate Student committee, which promises to be lots of fun!
Favourite book and or podcast and why?
I love to read anything where the extraordinary is found in the ordinary. Some of my favourites are ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’, ‘Lessons in Chemistry’, ‘The Catcher in the Rye’, ‘Saturday’, ‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine’, ‘Let the Great World Spin’, ‘Such a Fun Age’.
“The College has recently supported four PhD scholarships to provide an opportunity for Health Science Professionals to conduct research whilst in employment.”
with our Vice Dean of Interprofessional Learning
Professor Aoife Fleming
Vice Head
Interprofessional Learning
Lecturer Clinical Pharmacy School of Pharmacy
Tell me a bit about yourself - where you are from, where you studied, your area of interest, how you ended up at UCC?
I am from Courtmacsherry, a beautiful part of West Cork, and studied Pharmacy in Trinity College Dublin. After a number of years working in hospital and community pharmacy I started a PhD with Prof. Stephen Byrne, Prof. Colin Bradley and Prof. John Browne on the HRB Scholars Programme in 2011. This was a great experience and I took up post in the School of Pharmacy in 2015. My areas of interest are interprofessional learning, antimicrobial stewardship and optimisation, vaccination and medication safety. We have an amazing group of students in Pharmacy and across our COMH and it is inspiring to see them reach their full potential over the course of their studies.
Tell me about your role Vice Head for Interprofessional Learning at College of Medicine and Health. What does it involve?
My role involves leading and driving the development of Interprofessional Learning and Collaboration for all programmes and students in our College. IPL is a necessary step in preparing a collaborative practice-ready health workforce that is better prepared to respond to local health needs. We have an energetic and innovative IPL Development committee and we are exploring new opportunities and collaborations to progress our vision of optimising patient and healthcare outcomes through collaborative, interprofessional practice.
What is happening in this area at CoMH at the moment?
This year we organised a series of First year IPL workshops for students across a number of disciplines to introduce them to team collaboration and
communication. We continue to sustain and deliver a number of other key IPL sessions and we work together to ensure that all students have an opportunity to train collaboratively with students from other disciplines and patient advocates. We are ensuring that our IPL programme is evidence-based and in line with best practice recommendations by working closely with CAIPE, as well as developing research to inform our journey.
Is there a particular project/event that you are excited about & why?
In February we held our first All-Ireland Interprofessional Healthcare Challenge for students (AIPEC) local event for students of the COMH. Supporting students from all the disciplines to take part in this team challenge was the highlight of my year. The students worked together on a patient case over a number of weeks and with support from the COMH, the Cystic Fibrosis Unit at CUH and Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, it was a great evening. The winning team took part in the final in Queen’s University Belfast and represented their disciplines and UCC excellently. We look forward to growing this challenge and event next year.
Favourite book and or podcast and why?
I read Lessons in Chemistry recently, a great read about challenging expectations and stereotypes and following your goals. I am currently reading the Beekeeper of Aleppo and always looking for good book recommendations.
“We work together to ensure that all students have an opportunity to train collaboratively with students from other disciplines and patient advocates.”
with our Vice Dean of Learning and Teaching
Professor Mark McEntee
Vice Head
Learning and Teaching
Professor
Diagnostic Radiography
Chair
Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy
Tell me a bit about yourself - where you are from, where you studied, your area of interest and how you ended up at UCC
I am Professor of Diagnostic Radiography and Chair of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy in the School of Medicine at UCC. I studied radiography at Ulster University and did my PhD at University College Dublin. I am originally from Monaghan. I studied in Belfast for four years, worked at UCD as a lecturer for 11 years, and then as a professor in Sydney, where I later worked at the University of Sydney as the Associate Dean for students in the Faculty of Medicine. People often ask if I miss Sydney; of course, everyone will miss the weather. However, setting up a Discipline and a master’s programme from scratch is a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity that I could not turn down. I will be forever grateful to Niamh Moore, Professors Jeannie Jackson, Michael Maher and Helen Whelton for the time they took to support and encourage the establishment of the Discipline.
Tell me about your role as Vice Head for Learning and Teaching at the College of Medicine and Health. What does it involve?
The role offers the opportunity to support staff to demonstrate their excellence. Excellence in teaching and learning is common but sometimes does not get the support or recognition it needs. The role is wide and varied, which is part of the attraction. Everyday governance includes the approval of modules and programmes. In this great time of change at UCC, daily governance has become an opportunity to digitise, modernise and evolve. It also offers the chance to embed pedagogy across the administrative organisation of the college. I will support the system in demonstrating its excellence through peer review, student review, self-reflection and the scholarship of teaching and learning.
What is happening in this area at CoMH at the moment?
Much work is going into developing modules and programmes in the new university system (CIM). I thank all teachers and professional staff for contributing to this work. This, along with the recent changes to marks and standards, is a significant proportion of the work in this area. Other exciting developments include the upcoming teaching showcase, the launch of a peer review system, seminars to support excellence in teaching, supporting applications for teaching grants and discussions around the College of Medicine and Health teaching awards.
Is there a particular project/event you are excited about & why?
I am particularly excited about the work I’m contributing to at the university level regarding an enterprise system for student feedback. Student feedback is an essential lens through which teachers can evaluate their work, and implementing the systems for this to be done effectively and efficiently will be a great leap forward. Likewise, working with the university on the rollout of a workload model will support several agendas, including those for equity, diversity and inclusion aligned with the college Athena Swan Bronze Award and the university application for the Athena Swan Silver Award.
book and or podcast and why?
From a young age, I have been a fan of epic fantasy, science fiction and space opera. I am continuing my journey through the universe of Frank Herbert’s Dune. Having read the original six books as a teenager, I am continuing that journey through his son Brian Herbert’s Caladan trilogy. I also love a good podcast and follow several, including: “Ukraine: the Latest”, BBC’s “Analysis”, “Oxygenaddict triathlon podcast”, “If You’re Listening” from the ABC, “Inside Politics” from the Irish Times.
We are thrilled our School of Medicine has been awarded the Athena SWAN Bronze Award recognising our commitment to gender equality in higher education. The Athena SWAN Charter is an accreditation frame-work that is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality in higher education and research. With this most recent award all our six Schools in UCC’s College of Medicine and Health are now fully accredited by the Athena SWAN Charter. Professor Mark McEntee and Professor Aideen Sullivan led the Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team in the School of Medicine.
Professor Helen Whelton, Head of the College of Medicine and Health, said: “We are delighted to receive this award. It reflects the sustained effort and commitment of a large team in the School of Medicine, led by Prof. Mark McEntee and Prof. Aideen Sullivan, who met monthly for the past two years, analysed extensive data and consulted widely with colleagues and students. Congratulations and well done to all”.
Professor Paula O’Leary, Dean of the School of Medicine, said: “We are immensely pleased with this recognition of the School of Medicine’s commitment to progressing gender equality and equity, diversity and inclusion more broadly within our School. Throughout the process, our Athena SWAN team has engaged with our community, staff and postgraduate students, collecting, reviewing and analysing data to inform the next steps that we need to take to deliver an equal, diverse and inclusive work environment for everyone. We look forward to implementing our four-year Gender Equality Action Plan, which I and my leadership team are fully committed to delivering”.
An obesity/mental health study from UCC’s School of Public Health was discussed on ABC news in the United States.The study which was conducted by Dr. Caoimhe Lonergan, Dr. Sean Millar and Dr. Zubair Kabir from the UCC’s School of Public Health shows a higher body mass index (BMI) is significantly associated with worse mental health. Link to the ABC News clip here. Read more here
On World Parkinsons Day in April Professor Suzanne Timmons, Centre for Gerontology and Rehabilitation at UCC spoke on RTE's Morning Ireland about the first ever national audit of Parkinson's disease care in Ireland. Listen back here
Professor John Cryan, Vice President for Research and Innovation UCC and Chair, Dept. of Anatomy and Neuroscience UCC features in a new Netflix documentary on the fascinating world of gut health! Hack Your Health: Secrets of the Gut highlights the power of the microbiome and research at APC Microbiome Ireland. View the trailer here
UCC to lead major study to improve support for breastfeeding.
L/R: Dr. Aoife Fleming, UCC School of Pharmacy with Dr. Helen Mulcahy, Professor Patricia Leahy-Warren (PI), Dr. Elaine Lehane, Dr. Margaret Murphy from UCC School of Nursing and Midwifery. Read about the first of its kind HRB funded study from our Head of School of Nursing & Midwifery Prof. Patricia Leahy-Warren which aims to influence sustainable changes to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. Link to the study here. Link to The Irish Times article here
Dr. Eve Griffin, Chief Executive Officer, National Suicide Research Foundation. A study by researchers from the School of Public Health UCC and the National Suicide Research Foundation found no increase in suicides during the pandemic. Link to The Irish Examiner article here
'Ask your pharmacist' – but ask them what exactly? (rte.ie) - one of the most read RTE Brainstorm articles so far this year highlighting some of the ways you can use pharmacists and their teams to support your healthcare. Congratulations to Michelle O’Driscoll, School of Pharmacy UCC.
Congratulations to Asit Kumar Mishra, School of Public Health UCC on his recent RTE Brainstorm article - How vaping has an unhealthy impact on indoor air quality (rte.ie)
Great article from Prof. Laura Sahm, School of Pharmacy UCC on Why doctors & nurses should use more plain language & less jargon (rte.ie)
Congratulations to our Professor of General Practice Prof. Emma Wallace whose HRB funded study on adverse drug reactions was named as No.1 British Journal of General Practice Paper of 2023. Link to the study here and to The Irish Times article here
Why kids with cerebral palsy deserve better outcomes (rte.ie) features analysis of a new cerebral palsy research programme from Prof. Deirdre Murray and Prof. Geraldine Boylan at INFANT.
Brendan Griffin, Prof. Caitriona O'Driscoll, Dr. Sonja Vucen and PhD Researchers at the 14th PBP World Meeting in Vienna in March. We had ten PhD students presenting posters from the School of Pharmacy UCC. Read more here
Commitment, Collaboration & Continuity: Celebrating Cork as a Healthy City was launched in Cork City Hall recently. It showcases the projects partnered with or led by Cork Healthy Cities. Edited by the coordinator of Cork Healthy Cities, Denise Cahill and Monica O’Mullane from UCC’s School of Public Health the book includes many contributors from UCC. Available to buy at UCC bookshops: Waterstones, Brookfield Library and in all Cork City libraries or you can order your copy online here. Read more here
Congratulations to all student teams who took part in the All-Ireland Interprofessional Healthcare Challenge (AIPEC) event aims to develop effective teamwork and collaboration between various healthcare professionals prior to graduation, in a way that is transformative, authentic and fun. Read more here
UCC researcher Ciara Hanrahan, with MSc Physiotherapy student Mark Attia. UCC researchers found that people with COPD see improved health benefits from lifestyle changes. Read more here
Our School of Pharmacy delighted to welcome four first year students who are recipients of the prestigious All Ireland Scholarship. More here
On World Down Syndrome Day, 21st March 2024, students from UCC Clinical Therapies Society, supported by Dr. Eithne Hunt (Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy) and Dr. Ciara O’ Toole (Speech and Hearing Sciences) hosted a bake sale in Brookfield for Field of Dreams Cork. Thank you to all who supported.
Well done to final year MSc. Audiology students from our School of Clinical Therapies showcasing their poster presentations featuring pilot project proposals and service initiatives aimed at enhancing audiology services in Ireland.
Committee members from UCC’s Nursing and Midwifery Society organised a Hypertension Awareness Day to increase awareness of hypertension amongst students and staff in UCC. Read more here
Photographed at UCC Innovation Week were L/R: Dr. Sally Cudmore, Dr. Ann-Marie Brennan, Claire Meskill and Professor Gerard O’Keeffe. Photo Credit: Ruben Tapia, UCC.
Find out more about UCC Innovation here
UCC Innovation’s first ever Innovation Week took place recently showcasing some of the excellent innovations from across the university ecosystem, encouraging students, graduates and researchers to think about new ways to create economic and societal impact.
The College of Medicine and Health and Science, Engineering and Food Sciences delivered a collaborative event in April which showcased eight different innovations and their pathway to creating impact.
Some of those speaking included Anne Marie Brennan from INFANT on ‘Making Clinical Research Matter: PremSmart’ and Claire Meskill, a recent graduate from our School of Clinical Therapies on ‘Start-up journey: Telea’.
More here
PPI in Mental Health Research Event A one-day event on the topic of Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) in Mental Health Research will be held in UCC on Monday, May 20th. This event is being co-hosted by PPI Ignite Network@ UCC and the National Suicide Research Foundation.The keynote address will be co-delivered by Dr. Leah Quinlivan, Research Fellow and Liz Monaghan and Dan Stears, PPI Contributors, University of Manchester. Click here for more info.
Dr. Emmy Racine, Professor Patricia Kearney and Dr. Carol Kelleher from PPI Ignite Network@ UCC with successful seed funding awardees Dr. Anne Marie Martin, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mr. John Hastings, School of Clinical Therapies and Dr. Tamara Vagg, Department of General Practice, UCC.
The team at Paramedicine UCC presented a webinar recently to students, parents and guidance counsellors on Paramedicine programmes, entry pathways and paramedic life. Listen back here
We were delighted to see Transition Year secondary school students from across Munster attend our School of Medicine ‘Prep-for Med.’ event in February. This hugely popular programme allows young people to experience both the life and the facilities available to medical students’ in UCC’s School of Medicine. The feedback from the day was fantastic.
“Just want to thank you on behalf of myself and my students for a great day on Friday, as usual it was well run and the students got so much from it”.
“I think that I enjoyed it just as much as the students”.
Read all about the day here
We recently hosted the 'kick-off' meeting for our €7.5million euro Horizon Europe In-Touch project bringing together consortium members from across the EU and Canada.
Horizon Europe In-Touch project is set to enhance the lives of people with dementia living in care homes.
Professor John Cryan, Vice-President for Research and Innovation at UCC officially opened the event which saw consortium members spend two days discussing the planned intervention and cluster randomised control trial for the In-Touch project set to enhance the lives of people with advanced dementia living in care homes. This project is co-ordinated by UCC Principal Investigators Professor Nicola Cornally (School of Nursing & Midwifery) and Professor Suzanne Timmons (School of Medicine). Read about the In-Touch project here
L/R: Ute Vogel (Norway), Carol Condon (SONM), Jørn Hofsø (Norway), Prof. Maria Gil Poisa (Barcelona), Kevin Holmes (Malta), Dr. Marcia Gafa (Malta), Dr. Seán Kelleher (SONM), Dr. Norma Delezio (Malta), Dr. Kari Olsen (Norway), Maria O’Shea (SONM), Dr. Astrid Nymo (Norway), Bríd Drake (SONM), Clare Murphy (IO) and Prof. Josephine Hegarty (SONM)
Our School of Nursing & Midwifery was delighted to welcome delegates recently from Malta, Norway and Spain for our 5th International Networking week. Delegates were given the opportunity to explore new Erasmus+ partnerships as well as consolidating existing partnerships. A full agenda was arranged including tours, clinical site visits and research presentations, all of which showcased the School of Nursing & Midwifery and University College Cork.
This event was organised by Ms. Brid Drake, Ms. Helen Forbes, Dr. Sean Kelleher and members of the Global Engagement & Internationalisation Committee.
A new EU-funded PROSPERH Project will be led by Prof. Ella Arensman, Head of the School of Public Health, Professor Mental Health, UCC and Chief Scientist, National Suicide Research Foundation with co-lead Dr. Eve Griffin, Chief Executive Officer, National Suicide Research Foundation. PROSPERH boasts an international consortium of 21 partners from 19 countries, who will work together to develop and validate the multi-level PROSPERH intervention, delivered via the online PROSPERH Portal. The intervention will target both organisational (work), peer and individual (worker) aspects with three components focusing on health promotion, online self-monitoring and self-management and clinical care or coaching referral pathways.
Prof. Ella Arensman states: “Via the EU Horizon Europe - PROSPERH project, we have a unique opportunity to build on the evidence base and interventions, developed by the EU Horizon 2020 project MENTUPP, and to progress the needed interventions to improve both the mental and physical health of staff in changing working environments. PROSPERH supports the UN Sustainable Development Goal: Good Health and Wellbeing, by strengthening the capacity of countries for prevention, early warning, and risk reduction of mental and physical health issues”.
Dr. Eve Griffin states: “The National Suicide Research Foundation are delighted to co-lead this important programme of work, which will provide evidence regarding innovative tools and strategies to support mental wellbeing in the workplace. PROSPERH represents a dynamic consortium of international researcher, with a significant track record of interdisciplinary collaboration, and we look forward to working together over the coming years”.
Read more here
Learn more about the PROSPERH project, consortium partners and related research: https://prosperh.eu/
Prof. Helen Whelton, Prof. Sarah Kittel-Schneider and Prof. Paula O’Leary
Lots of great insights shared at our Inaugural Lecture in February. We welcomed our new Chair and Head of the Department of Psychiatry and Neurobeahavioural Science Prof. Sarah Kittel-Schneider. The title of Sarah’s lecture ‘From biomarkers to human cell models: towards Precision Psychiatry’. Prof. Kittel-Schneider shared her research studies, spoke about mental disorders being a world-wide increasing burden. Available treatment approaches she said are “effective but diagnosis and treatment are often delayed, worsening the outcome of the affected individual”.
Sarah studied medicine at the University of Wurzburg, Germany and has undergone specialised training for general adult psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy at the University Hospital in Wurzburg, Germany. We are delighted to have Prof. Sarah Kittel-Schneider join us here at University College Cork. A recording of the lecture ‘From biomarkers to human cell models: towards Precision Psychiatry’ is available here
The College of Medicine & Health, in conjunction with Alumni & Development, introduced our Philanthropic Lectures Series in 2024.
The College is very grateful for the support our academics and researchers receive through corporate philanthropy, bringing together academic and clinical researchers, to better address knowledge gaps and impact the lives of patients. We were delighted to host the Cerebral Palsy Foundation Lecture with Professor Deirdre Murray, her first public lecture as The Cerebral Palsy Foundation Chair in Early Brain Injury and Cerebral Palsy at The Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research (INFANT), UCC. Prof. Murray is leading research into early brain injury and cerebral palsy at INFANT with the goal of improving early prediction, detection and intervention to improve the lives of individuals and families impacted by Cerebral Palsy.
Lecture Title: 'Early detection of infant brain injury and cerebral palsy and why it matters'. A recording of the lecture is available here
Sincere thanks to colleagues who joined us in person and online. Donation link here
Researchers at UCC’s Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience are collaborating with the inventor of a self-care app for people with Parkinson’s disease with a view to understanding how hormonal changes in women impact their symptoms.
Richelle Flanagan was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s disease shortly after the birth of her daughter. Based on her own experience, and those of other women, she developed My Moves Matter, a digital health app to track women’s symptoms across their menstrual cycle. The study, supported by the Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HiHi) and Enterprise Ireland, seeks the help of women with Parkinson’s Disease, who are being asked to track their symptoms using the My Moves Matter app.
The research will be the first in the world to track how hormonal changes in women with Parkinson’s impacts their symptoms. It is hoped that their findings will aid patient-specific treatment and management of Parkinson’s disease.
Read more here. The app can be found on mymovesmatter.com/get-the-app, and you can participate in the study by filling out a survey that can be found here
We were delighted to partner with the Saolta Group recently and expand access for our radiology students who can now access hospital training from Donegal to Waterford. In addition to training with the South/South West Hospital Group and UPMC group, radiology students can now access seven hospitals in the Saolta University Health Care Group. The course at UCC provides future radiographers with the clinical and research skills and professional attributes required to work and develop as clinicians in hospitals.
Prof. Mark McEntee, Head of the Disciplines of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, Chair of Radiography at UCC said: “This innovative partnership with Saolta demonstrates excellent forward planning. Highly skilled radiographers can now plan their future with Saolta in confidence.”
In addition to training with the South/South West Hospital Group and UPMC Group, students can now access 7 hospitals in the Saolta University Health Care Group. Some 10 students were selected by UCC to take up the places sponsored by Saolta. More here on UCC expands student access to hospital training to help tackle health staff crisis.
Medsoc students were busy in February tending to lots of sick and and injured teddies at UCC’s Teddy Bear hospital. More than 900 infants from schools across Cork including girls and boys from Glasheen Girls NS, Togher Boys’ NS, Midleton Educate Together, Whitegate National School and more attended with their furry friends.
The student-led annual event which takes place at Devere Hall helps children become familiar with healthcare environments, learn about medicine in a safe, fun environment. It features three main stations mirroring a real hospital experience: a waiting room, a treatment room and an exercise area. In the waiting room young children put on some medical scrubs, checked out some medical equipment, used a stethoscope while engaging in fun anatomy puzzles and colourful activities. In the treatment room, medical students assessed and treated the teddies with medical supplies kindly provided by the Bon Secours Hospital. In the exercise area, children are taught a variety of exercise routines to support their teddies return to full health.
Education Officer with UCC Med Soc Aisling Gouldson said: “The whole purpose of Teddy Bear Hospital is to teach kids that there is no need to be scared in hospital settings or around healthcare professionals. We try to eliminate any fears or reservations young kids may have while interacting with healthcare professionals, help kids to feel at ease when visiting the doctor in the future. For us as volunteers, it is an extremely rewarding experience to witness kids enter into the spirit of the hospital and do everything they can to help treat their poorly teddies”.
Congratulations to the Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research (INFANT) and to its Director Professor Geraldine Boylan on the launch of ELEVATE. INFANT which this year celebrates its 10 year anniversary continues to make national and international headlines answering the need for research and innovation to improve health outcomes for mothers and babies.
This year INFANT at UCC has partnered with RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Trinity College Dublin and all the tertiary-level maternity hospitals in Ireland to lead ELEVATE, a new €11.6 million research programme focused on cerebral palsy. This ground-breaking five-year initiative, has been funded under the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Strategic Partnership Programme (€5 million), with co-funding partner The Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF) providing support of over €6 million. Cerebral Palsy is the most common childhood acquired, lifelong physical disability, affecting about 17 million people worldwide. There is no known cure. An estimated 150 babies receive a Cerebral Palsy diagnosis in Ireland each year and an estimated 3,000 children and young people and 9,500 adults are living with Cerebral Palsy in Ireland.
ELEVATE will be co-led by Prof. Geraldine Boylan (Neurophysiologist and Professor of Neonatal Physiology at UCC) and Prof. Deirdre Murray (Consultant Paediatrician and Chair in Early Brain Injury and Cerebral Palsy at UCC). More here
‘Tending Joy’ was an exhibition of prints by UCC First Year Occupational Therapy Students which opened in The Jennings Gallery in February. Well done to Dr. Eithne Hunt, Occupational Therapist and College Lecturer at our School of Clinical Therapies for this amazing initiative. Really beautiful work with wonderful messages.
Twenty-nine students exhibited their work which explored the theme ‘Tending Joy’ depicting the many and varied ways that the students experience joy in their everyday lives from travel, to sea swimming, to beloved pets, music, good cups of coffee and cherished relationships.
The exhibition was opened by Odhrán Allen, CEO of the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland who said “Occupational Therapists, with our creative and practical approach to problem-solving, have so much to offer in identifying and providing solutions to the many complex healthcare challenges for individuals and society”.
Students were encouraged to reflect on how they experience and cultivate joy in the big and small moments of their daily lives. Dr. Hunt explained: “helping the people with whom we work as Occupational Therapists to find moments of joy in their lives is a great privilege and something for us to nurture amongst our students. In Occupational Therapy, we believe that “occupations” are all the ordinary and extraordinary activities that make up our days.”
See wonderful images and read all about this exhibition here Exhibition Catalogue here
“In my mind, helping the people with whom we work as occupational therapists to find moments of joy in their lives is a great privilege and something for us to nurture amongst our students.”
Dr. Eithne Hunt
Exhibition Curator
OT1005 Module Coordinator
A new art exhibition runs in the Jennings Gallery in Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, UCC until May 31st. Curated by Colette Cunningham from the School of Public Health, this is a particularly poignant exhibition as it aims to raise funds for the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Unit in CUH, in loving memory of Colette’s sister Betty McDonald.
The title ‘Breathe’ was chosen by Colette because of its relevance to Cystic Fibrosis patients. The exhibition features the work of three wonderful artists –Colette, Jules Versluis and Christine Allan.
At the opening, there were very moving speeches from Colette, Prof. Ella Arensman (Head of the School of Public Health), Prof. Josephine Hegarty (Chair of the Jennings Gallery Committee), Christine Allen (Artist) and Clare Fleming from the CUH. Some paintings have already been sold and donations are coming in for this important cause, fundraising to buy eight TVs for the dedicated CF in-patient rooms at Cork University Hospital.
Do take some time out of your busy day to pay a visit to Breathe. If you would like to donate to this worthwhile cause, you can do so here
“This exhibition reminds us to appreciate amateur art, it’s a reminder to take time out, step back from life’s stresses, to take the time to breathe.”
Colette Cunningham Exhibition Curator
Aligning with UCC’s overall global engagement strategy and supporting the work of University College Cork's Vice President of Global Engagement, Professor Ursula Kilkelly, the College of Medicine and Health has undertaken important promotion and recruitment work in South Asia and West Africa in recent months.
Our international manager, Gearoid McCarthy visited India and Sri Lanka in February and Nigeria in March.
These regions are demonstrating significant growth and interest in high-calibre, globally mobile candidates seeking medicine and health qualifications. Nursing, Pharmacy and Public Health are particularly popular programmes of study, but, increasingly, we are seeing interest in UCC’s allied health offerings, such as Audiology, Radiation Therapy, Physiotherapy and Diagnostic radiography amongst others in these regions.
Congratulations to Professor Leonie Heskin our new Professor in Simulation Based Training and new Director of ASSERT (Application of Science to Simulation based Education and Research on Training).
Professor Heskin will lead on expanding ASSERT on its offering in education, research and innovation with an emphasis on developing simulation solutions for courses required by healthcare personal and the medical device industry.
Professor Heskin has dedicated the last 11 years to working full-time in medical simulation, most recently at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) where she was the lead for surgical simulation technology development and a senior lecturer in postgraduate surgical education. She led the Continuous Professional Development Support Scheme (CPDSS) surgical skills programme and the core surgical skills training programme for trainees in Ireland.
Congratulating Leonie on her appointment Professor Helen Whelton said:
“We are delighted to have Professor Heskin join us at the College of Medicine and Health. Simulation-based learning is hugely important. Healthcare is a team activity with multidisciplinary teams delivering the best care. It is essential to build on, enhance the learning and teaching delivered to our students to give our future practitioners an understanding of their and other roles in the healthcare team. Prof. Heskin brings huge experience, has a special interest in raising fidelity in both simulation-based education and simulator offerings. I very much look forward to working with Prof. Heskin in this key role as we continue to strengthen our teaching and academic excellence at the College of Medicine and Health”.
Our Cancer Research Chair and Medical Oncologist at Cork University Hospital Prof. Roisin Connolly had two high-profile papers published recently in Nature Cancer a journal dedicated to publishing the latest advances across all areas of cancer research and with Clinical Cancer Research. The findings, in what was one of the largest global studies of “precision medicine” for cancerous tumours (the NCI MATCH trial), are significant as they outline that this breastcancer treatment combination may have more uses than previously thought.
In the trial, led by Professor Roisin Connolly, Director of Cancer Research at University College Cork (UCC), patients, ranging in ages from 31-80, and experiencing different types of cancer from gynaecological, gastrointestinal, urinary bladder to head and neck cancer, were examined to ascertain the impact of the HER2-targeting combination of the drugs trastuzumab and pertuzumab. The study found that trastuzumab and pertuzumab, a combination which has shown to be effective in treating HER2-positive breast cancer, also shrank tumours in patients with other cancer types. HER2 is a protein (encoded by the HER2 gene) that helps breast cancer cells grow quickly.
The study was published in Clinical Cancer Research. Professor Connolly conducted this research while working at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States, with support from ECOG-ACRIN. More here
Dr. Clara Forrest, a recent graduate and academic intern at the School of Medicine UCC recently published the first evaluation of medical error experience and patient safety opinion and concerns in breast cancer care in Ireland.
This interdisciplinary CUH/UCC Cancer Centre, Cancer Research@UCC, UCC School of Law study of 184 patients and 116 doctors highlighted increasing patient safety concerns by doctors. For patients who experienced errors or negligence claims, 60% reported permanent or long term physical and emotional effects while 87.5% of doctors who experienced medical errors or negligence claims reported emotional health impacts. Multiple barriers to reporting error were highlighted including a feeling that it wouldn't make a difference.
Dr. Ciara Forrest’s study is linked here
These studies would not have been possible without the commitment of Prof. Liam Plant who has led the Academic Intern Programme at CUH and to whom we are very grateful.
Congratulations to Dr. Erin Crowley on winning Support Staff of the Year Award at the recent Irish Cancer Society Research Awards pictured here with Dr. Claire Kilty, Head of Research, Irish Cancer Society.
Congratulations to Breakthrough Cancer Research Fellow Dr. Maeve Hennessy pictured above who received the Alvai-Mandell Award from the Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging for her publication in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
Maeve is undertaking a Breakthrough Cancer Research Clinical Research Fellowship to identify the biological characteristics that predict a woman's response to breast cancer therapy. Her work will contribute to the personalisation of treatment for early stage breast cancer.
The final session in UCC Cancer Seminar Series 2023-2024 will take place on Monday, May 13th. The UCC Cancer Seminar Series is a monthly virtual lecture series fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration in the field of cancer care and research.
Open to all and is accredited for CPD through the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland (RCPI). Dr. Lucy Norris, Trinity College Dublin will speak on ‘Prediction and prevention of cancer associated thrombosis’. Dr. Maeve Crowley, Cork University Hospital on ‘Management of cancer associated thrombosis’. This event will be chaired by Dr. Eoghan Molly, Consultant Haematologist, Cork University Hospital and is open to all including cancer researchers, clinical and cancer support staff.
Contact emilyoconnell@ucc.ie to register.
IPL facilitators at the Mercy University Hospital IPL Safe Prescribing session L - R: Dr. Gillian Burke, Dr. Aislinn Joy, Ms. Elizabeth Barron, Ms. Aoife Casey and Dr. Aoife Fleming.
Our medical and pharmacy students attending our IPL Safe Prescribing session.
This year marks the 15th year of the successful running of the IPL Safe Prescribing session for Medicine and Pharmacy students in the Mercy University Hospital.
Approximately 2000 medical students and 750 pharmacy students worked together to undertake a medication reconciliation, understand prescription writing, demonstrate evidence of learning in their group report. This experiential learning in a clinical environment has received lots of positive feedback from students, prepares them for future safe prescribing and medication optimisation, improving patient safety. Well done to all.
Student feedback:
“One key point that I learnt during this IPL session was the importance of being able to work in conjunction with other healthcare professionals. Not alone those in the medical profession, but all healthcare professionals, to ensure a high standard of patient-centred care. Early exposure to working within a multidisciplinary team is vitally important as a healthcare student as it allows us to develop the necessary skills to work together effectively in a busy healthcare environment.” (Pharmacy student)
“Patient safety can be improved on interdisciplinary co-operation between doctors and pharmacists. There is much that can be learned from one another and it may be beneficial in my future practice to incorporate practices such as interdisciplinary ward rounds or increased interdisciplinary teaching at MDT meetings.” (Medical student)
Coordinator,
L/R: Shauna Lane MSCDR Student, Laura Furey MSCDR Student, Andrew England, Senior Lecturer and President of the European Federation of Radiogrpahy Societies, Rena Young, Practice Education Coordinator, Niamh Moore, Lecturer, Theresa O’Donovan, Lecturer, Grainne Curran, Adjunct Lecturer, Eimear Mahon, MSCDR Student, Chloe Maloney, MSCDR Student.
University College Cork was exceptionally well represented at the European Congress of Radiology (ECR) in Vienna in March. Staff and students made over 40 contributions to the conference, including posters, 30 oral presentations and a selection of chaired sessions, interviews and discussion panels. UCC masters of Radiation Therapy graduate Kathleen Fitzgerald also accepted the European Federation of Radiography Societies (EFRS) patient-centred care award on behalf of the radiation therapy department of Cork University Hospital for their project involving the use of my canine companion therapy dogs in a Radiation Therapy department. This was the second year of UCC senior lecturer Dr. Andrew England's presidency of the EFRS.
University College Cork masters and PhD students did an excellent job managing and recruiting participants to our research hub.
UCC Discipline of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy had two perceptual experiments involving the assessment of computed tomography scans and one online questionnaire inquiring about bias in medical imaging and radiation therapy. Well done to all.
The Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience held its fifth Thanksgiving Service in March. Now an established event in the calendar of the College of Medicine & Health at UCC the biannual multidenominational Thanksgiving Service hosted in the UCC Honan Chapel brings together families of donors, staff and students of anatomy in a musical and reading celebration.
The event gives the university and anatomy students an opportunity to meet with the donor families to thank, acknowledge and reflect on the extraordinary gift that they have received from the donors. Professor Aideen Sullivan, Head of Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience. Professor John Cryan, Chair of Anatomy and Vice President for Research & Innovation, Professor Paula O’Leary, Dean, School of Medicine - Professor of Medicine and Consultant Immunologist, and Dr. Aonghus Lavelle, Gastroenterologist and lecturer, along with staff and students represented the School of Medicine UCC.
Read more here
L/R: Staff of the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience Anatomical Donation Team, Ms Carrie O’Flynn, Senior Technical Officer; Dr Sue Grenham, Chief Technical Officer; Ms Shelley O'Shea, Senior Executive Assistant; Mr Michael Cronin, Clinical Industrial Liaison Officer, ASSERT Centre; Mr Wayne Sheehan, Technical Officer and Ms Ashley Benge, Senior Technical Officer. Missing from the photograph are Mr Max Shanahan and Ms Kenda Samman, Technical Officers.
Congratulations to APC Microbiome Ireland (APC) a world leading SFI Research Centre on it’s 20-year anniversary. An Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Mr. Micheál Martin, T.D. launched a 20 Years Impact brochure for APC Microbiome Ireland at a special celebration event at the Glucksman Gallery at UCC. Launched in 2003 at UCC, APC was one of the very first microbiome research institutes worldwide and is now one of the largest globally, and has developed into a world-renowned research and scientific leader in the field.
APC carries out pioneering microbiome research and has produced more than 3000 peer-reviewed scientific publications which has led to advancements in tackling some of the most pressing societal challenges of our time including antimicrobial resistance and the threat of superbugs, the burden of chronic diseases, obesity and malnutrition, mental health, and healthy ageing. More here
APC Microbiome Ireland - 20 years of Impact Brochure can be accessed here
Head of College, Prof. Helen Whelton, is Chair of the National Chief Academic Officer (CAO) Group and CAO to the SSWHG since 2017. The CAO Group believe Sláintecare must be underpinned by an Academic Health Science System (AHSS), fostering optimal outcomes for patients and staff through strategic partnerships between academia and health.
You can access the 2023 Chief Academic Officer Annual Report here, read about the work of the CAO Group over the past year, key priorities of the group for 2024 - 2025, and progress and developments in the areas of Education and Training of Healthcare Workers and Research and Innovation within the Healthcare sector.
More here: UCC Academic Health Sciences, University College Cork
We are very proud of 21 year old UCC nursing student Lena Guénebaut-Cudmore, a first year nursing student at our School of Nursing and Midwifery has just returned from Ukraine where she volunteered to be part of the latest Chernobyl Children International -funded surgical mission.
Lena was part of the medical team which performed life-saving cardiac surgery on babies born with congenital heart defects, such as the deadly Chernobyl Heart.
Lena told how they worked 12 hour shifts, 6 days per week.
'I was wrecked but it was the most amazing experience. It was such a joy to see the babies reunited with their parents.'
The hospital she said had the basics and they do what they had, 'but they didn't have access to the drugs we would use, so they begin making their own versions'.
Welcome back Lena, we are very proud of you. Read more here
We remember and extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Professor Chris Williams, Head of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences. A dear friend and highly esteemed colleague who will be deeply missed.
Professor Chris Williams joined UCC as Head of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences in 2017 where he led the College with exemplary vision across education and research and played an instrumental role in supporting a thriving, diverse and innovative research community. He was a valuable member of the University’s Leadership team, a dear friend and trusted colleague to many.
A distinguished alumnus of Oxford University and University College Cardiff, his most recent research focused on the history of political cartoons from the French Revolution to the Second World War. Born in Newport and raised in Swindon, he joined Cardiff University as Lecturer in History where he specialised in nineteenth-century British History. He moved to University of Glamorgan as Professor of Modern and Contemporary Wales where he was Co-Director of the Centre for Border Studies. Between 2005 and 2013, he was Professor of Welsh History at Swansea University, before returning to Cardiff University as Professor of History and Head of the School of History, Archaeology and Religion.
A researcher of international standing, his publications included ‘The Shadow in the East: representations of the Russo-Japanese War in newspaper cartoons’; ‘Passports to oblivion: J. M. Staniforth’s political cartoons for the News of the World, 1893-1921’ and ‘The Richard Burton Diaries’, a widely lauded expert account of one of the greatest actors of the twentieth century.
The loss of Professor Chris Williams will be deeply felt amongst colleagues, students and friends of Chris far and wide. He will be fondly remembered for his honesty, transparency, and integrity. Throughout his career, Chris gained the respect of all who met him. All who had the privilege of knowing him are so much the poorer by his passing.
We extend our deepest condolences to Chris’s wife Sara, his children, mother, brothers and sister, his extended family and many friends during this difficult time.
“I was honoured to be appointed as College Manager in 2023. My background in Human Studies and Business Administration aligns seamlessly with the strategy-driven, high-performance culture of UCC’s College of Medicine and Health. I am dedicated to fostering open lines of communication to cultivate strong working relationships within our College.
Delighted to work with this dedicated, talented core team here at the College office. We encourage you to stay connected via our social channels, our website and CoMH newsletter”.
Contact Details for College office staff can be found here
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