The Pulse – Trinity School of Medicine Newsletter - Winter 2022

the

Pulse

Trinity School of Medicine Newsletter

Lead Article

Welcoming our new Head of School: Professor Colin Doherty ....

The Bench 6th International Clinical Trials Methodology Conference 2022 ..

Launch of HRB-CTN Dementia Trials Ireland network

The Bedside

TCD AWS Surgical Leadership Event with Professor Hilary Sanfey

Spotlight on the Discipline of Radiation Therapy

Education: Simulation in the Emergency Department

The Blackboard Three SATLE Projects

The Beyond School of Medicine at the centre of European Researchers’ Night

SENSE-Cog Residential Care’s ‘real world’ public engagement on European Researchers’ Night ....................................................

Showcase of Wonders A Day in the Life of...

Professor Michael Gill: Saying goodbye to the HoS role

EDITORIAL

The Trinity PULSE is now well established as the voice of Trinity’s School of Medicine, so it is fitting that the focus of our Winter issue is on our outgoing and incoming Heads of School (HoS). Professor Michael Gill, our HoS for the past several years, reflects on his years as our leader in ‘The Long Read’ at the end of this issue. Right at the start of the issue, we welcome Professor Colin Doherty who has just stepped into the role and is already making his vision for the next several years clear. With a focus on values and ethical care, Prof Doherty brings years of experience to the role and is keen to share this with all members of our School.

We introduce our newly appointed student reporter for the PULSE. Marie Cormican (3rd year Med) has taken her first stab at reporting on medical student activities by describing the fantastic work of the MEDDAY appeal. We hope that Marie will increase dissemination of the PULSE to our great student body and will encourage submissions of subsequent issues. Finally, as before, we have interesting offerings under our pillars of the four B’s: The Bench, The Bedside, The Blackboard, The Beyond.

Tuck up in front of the fire, or in a dry robe on the beach, and enjoy your read of the PULSE.

Iracema Leroi, Editor

LEAD ARTICLE

Welcoming our new Head of School: Professor Colin Doherty

Biography : Prof Colin Doherty is our newly appointed Head of School. He holds the Ellen Mayston Bates Chair in Epileptology and is a Consultant Neurologist and Director of the Epilepsy Service at St James’s Hospital. He trained at UCD and Harvard Medical School. He has published widely in the areas of brain imaging and genetics in epilepsy and traumatic brain injury.

Recently, our Editor (IL), on behalf of the Trinity PULSE, congratulated Professor Colin Doherty on his appointment to the Head of the School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin. Here he shares some of his thoughts about his first weeks in post.

Prof Doherty. Thank you so much for taking the time to chat to us at the PULSE. Are you surprised to be sitting the in HoS chair?

I am more surprised than most. If you’d have asked me in back in the Spring whether I would be doing this job, I would have said, ‘not in a million years’. That was partly due to the fact that there hadn’t been an election for HoS in 20 years, so it was unexpected. If I had known that there was an election, I might have prepared myself; however, when the opportunity came up, I thought, why not? I feel I have a lot to contribute’.

What motivated you to take the job in the end?

I have thought about this a lot recently and something mentioned by a retired GP at Davis Coakley’s funeral that seemed to capture my motivations as well. That is, the work captured Davis’ imagination. This new job captures my imagination. I am excited about the idea of driving the ethos of the school and imprinting something different on it.

So – what is the ethos of the school, or what would you like it to look like?

I think I have captured this in my inaugural talk. I am really taken by the question of how to marry effectively the scientific with the clinical. We always struggle with that and trying to link these seamlessly together is a real goal. Moreover, I am passionate about the ‘ethics of care’

The ‘Ethics of Care’ is key to your headship. Please tell me more:

This derives from a sociological and philosophical set of principles first defined in the 19th century and that holds that moral action centres on interpersonal relationships and care or benevolence as a virtue. It emphasizes the importance of response to the individual. It is built on the pillars of attentiveness, responsibility (not obligation), competence, responsiveness, and plurality. I believe these principles embody the approach we should adopt to colleagues, patients, the health system…in fact, to everything. While we should never be formulaic, at a leadership level, we should strive to embody these principles.

But, how do you change an ethos?

A formula stuck on our wall likely won’t work; it can only happen if you live that ethos and model the behaviours yourself, particularly from a position of leadership. If you aren’t authentic, it won’t work; however, if you can influence and lead the critical mass, I am convinced you can make a difference.

What ethos does the school currently project, in your opinion?

I think the school projects an ethos of strong scientific competence. The expectations maintain that. But, what doesn’t exist is the idea that ‘trinity is the best place to work’. Again, I’d like to change that. I don’t believe we are an inclusive family, speaking with a common voice. But, I believe we can be. I’d like to break down barriers. I see

the competition that exists between hospitals and find that interesting and a challenge. I believe we should and can work more cooperatively together. There is incredible stuff happening around and we need to all be aware of what each other is doing.

What do you see as the School’s public responsibility?

To defend science. The anti-science movement is strong. People are misusing science to further their ends. There are even scientists who promulgate this. As a leading medical school, our voice needs to be heard. Moreover, we need to communicate our social policy more clearly. We need to say the things that matter regarding the delivery of health care in society. We are facing huge social problems, particularly in Dublin 8, where James’s is the centre. We need to have a stronger voice about these issues such as addictions and precarious housing. As a health care and scientific community, we have an obligation to defend vulnerable people.

You are still within the first 100 days of your leadership – what have you achieved so far?

Mostly strategic things. I have a bulletin board behind me with all Michael’s notes about the ongoing initiatives. My sticky notes indicate which bits I have addressed – the Cancer Centre, Athena Swan, developing the Health Sciences Centre, curriculum review, moving the Old Anatomy project forward there’s a lot going on.

What do you think is your greatest challenge in the next

18 months?

Definitely, changing the ethos and being outside looking, advocating for the most vulnerable in society. I would love it if people would say ‘Colin’s changed our view on that’. And I don’t want to do this from the position of virtue signalling or claiming the moral high ground; rather, I want to embrace this at the leadership level and project it.

After three years, what do you hope to have achieved?

If there’s no change in how people view the School after three years, I will have failed. I want to embed a deeper understanding of the social determinants of disease in our school, delivering health care to the most vulnerable. Furthermore, I hope to have achieved the key strategic goals that are already underway. I would also like to explore including more creativity in medicine in the school, incorporating art, writing and the other humanities. I have some clear ideas about how to do this.

Watch Prof Colin Doherty’s Inaugural Lecture here.

THE BENCH

6th International Clinical Trials Methodology Conference 2022

Over 30 researchers from Ireland including many of our own from across Trinity, attended the recent International Clinical Trials Methodology Conference (ICTMC) which took place from 3-6th October in the beautiful spa town of Harrogate, UK. The conference, which is the leading international platform for researchers to present the very latest in trials methodology research, saw the Trinity team showcase a range of research including the development of a Core Outcome Set (COS) for Lewy-body dementia (Gillian Daly and Iracema Leroi), Training trial Recruiters: An educational INtervention (TRAIN) for recruiters to neonatal trials (Prof Valerie Smith), and a SWAT (Study Within a Trial) for a sensory support intervention for residents with dementia in nursing homes (JP Connelly).

Trials methodology research is critical to ensuring robust design and implementation of clinical trials. It involves rigorous scientific evaluation of trial research designs or their component parts to identify how these can be improved or better organised to ensure that the research processes are optimally efficient and effective for research inquiry. The ICTMC provided a great training and networking opportunity for TCD researchers to support future projects.

Members of the Trinity delegation

Launch of HRBCTN Dementia Trials Ireland network

27th September saw the long-awaited launch of Dementia Trials Ireland (DTI). Taking place in the Naughton Institute, TCD, the launch was opened by Provost Linda Doyle who welcomed over 160 guests from the research, clinical, advocacy and lay communities involved with dementia. Professor Iracema Leroi, lead of DTI, and Visiting Professor Martin Rosser then set the context for the future of dementia clinical trials in Ireland. Professor Sean Kennelly then chaired a panel discussion with Professor Brian Lawlor, Professor Mary McCarron, caregiver Simon Murphy and politician Deirdre Heney who are both members of the DTI Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) panel, and Bronagh Hayden from Biogen.

DTI has received funding for five years from the Health Research Board (HRB) to develop and expand dementia clinical trials in Ireland. The trials that are currently in place are small and DTI intends to not only expand but also include diverse types of studies, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological, suitable for all stages and sub-types

of dementia. Imaging, biomarkers and neuropsychological methods will be used to assess healthy volunteers, carers, and people with dementia who take part in a trial. The aim of DTI is to improve the lives of those at risk of, or living with, dementia and that everyone has the opportunity to access clinical trials.

The launch was enhanced by a riveting performance by the Forget-Me-Nots dementia inclusive choir, directed by Norah Walsh. Mike Hanrahan, current Global Brain Health Fellow fellow, and member of the DTI PPI panel joined the choir for ‘A River Rolls On’ a song recorded for his mum Mary who had died with dementia.

The launch was organised by Karen Meenan, PPI and Comms lead for DTI, supported by Lara Gibney Network Coordinator for DTI.

For further information please visit: dementiatrials.ie

TCD’s Association of Women Surgeons (AWS) Leadership Event with Professor Hilary Sanfey

Trinity College Dublin’s chapter of the AWS was honoured to host Professor Hilary Sanfey for their first annual Surgical Leadership webinar on 18 May 2022. Prof. Sanfey is an Emeritus Professor of Surgery at Southern Illinois University and TCD Medicine alumna (1976). She was the first woman in Ireland to complete higher surgical training in General Surgery and she has served as the Vice-President for the American College of Surgery and as the President of the Association of Women in Surgery. Her words of advice on navigating a career in surgery resonated with those at every level of surgical training, from medical student to consultant surgeon.

Professor Sanfey emphasized that pursuing a career in surgery, while rewarding, requires the awareness of several potential barriers. She tackled topics including intimate partner violence, the importance of time management and maintaining family relationships, effective negotiation skills, gender salary equity, and implicit bias in surgery. She also addressed the concept of the “glass cliff” wherein women are given higher-power positions during times when failure is more likely. To overcome these potential barriers, she highlighted the role of mentorship and the importance of asking for help when developing as a surgeon. Her talk

was followed by an engaging question and answer session, during which attendees learned more about Prof. Sanfey’s life as a female surgeon as well as more personal aspects of her time as a trainee, including memorable complex cases she has been involved in.

The event also included words from current faculty advisor, Professor Camilla Carroll and incoming faculty advisor for 2022/23 Ms Rizwana Khan. It has been the privilege of TCD Association of Women Surgeons (AWS) to have received outstanding mentorship from Professor Carroll during the first year of our establishment. TCD AWS was also honoured to introduce Ms Rizwana Khan as our incoming faculty advisor for the coming year and we are looking forward to an exciting year ahead.

AWS is an international society that is committed to supporting current and aspiring female surgeons at all stages of their career - from medical school through retirement. To keep up to date with future events like this one, link in with TCD AWS on Twitter (@aws_tcd) and Instagram (@aws_tcd) or send us an email at trinityaws@gmail.com

The host Professor Hilary Sanfey

Spotlighting the Discipline of Radiation Therapy

By Claire Poole

The Discipline of Radiation therapy, in the School of Medicine is one of the leaders in radiation medicine education at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Radiation Therapy is an effective cancer treatment that is recommended in 50-60% of cases. It is often misunderstood as a medical treatment and one our goals within the Discipline is to promote and advocate for radiation therapy as a cancer treatment through our education, research and outreach activities.

Education: Healthcare is constantly evolving and one the core goals of our four year degree programme is to graduate students who can think independently, advocate for change and continuously develop within their ever changing environment. We use innovative teaching techniques, state of the art virtual simulated radiation therapy equipment (VERTTM) and treatment planning software with our dedicated computer skills lab to prepare students for current and future practice. Postgraduate opportunities are masters through research, taught masters and doctorate research.

Research: The Applied Radiation Therapy Research Group (ARTT) was established in 2013, with the aim of improving radiation therapy cancer patient’s health, care and health service delivery through the development of three interlinked research: (1) Translational Radiobiology and Molecular Oncology; (2) Radiation Therapy Practice; and (3) Health Services Research. The ARTT group has rapidly earned its international reputation through publication of 99 peer-reviewed publications in specialist radiation oncology journals, over 100 conference abstracts, and close to 10 book chapters. Our researchers have secured over €1M in internal, national and international research funding and secured collaborations from all over the world.

Outreach: One of the key aims of the Discipline is to advocate for radiation therapy through public and civic engagement. One aspect of this is to inform prospective year students about radiation therapy through the Trinity Access and transition year programmes and Trinity led information days. To inform patients, their families, carers and other health professionals about radiation as an effective cancer treatment, Dr. Michelle Leech, Associate Professor and Claire Poole, Assistant Professor, together with Trinity Online Services developed a MOOC to advocate for Radiation Oncology as an effective and cost-effective cancer treatment. It has had over 9500 participants across 161 countries and can still be accessed here. Dr Michelle Leech and her team was also successful in being awarded an EIT funded grant, to work with the European Cancer Patient Coalition and the University of Maastricht to create an European education and decision-making support for patients. The group was an active contributor to European Researcher night and in 2022, staff and students worked together to successfully complete 7,556,586 steps in March to raise vital funds for the Irish Cancer Society to help fund night nurses to work with cancer patients.

Education: Simulation in the Emergency Department

By Abrahams J, McMahon G, Shields D, Porter J.

Simulation has been a core component of medical education in St. James’s Emergency Department

For many years. Simulated patient scenarios allow learners to practice skills such as patient assessment, clinical decision-making, and procedural skills in a safe, supportive environment without any risk to patient safety. The simulated environment also lends itself excellently to learning non-technical skills such as effective interpersonal communication and team dynamics, which promote a collaborative working environment.

Learners are immersed into a realistic patient environment in our in-situ simulation lab, which is based within the clinical area of the emergency department and uses a sophisticated mannequin which mimics human physiology. Sessions are held on a regular basis for postgraduate emergency medical staff as part of their weekly educational activity. Weekly simulations are also carried out for the intern group and on the wards. Multidisciplinary sessions are run in conjunction with our intensive care medicine colleagues. Senior clinicians in the emergency department instruct at a range of internationally recognised simulationbased courses such as the advanced trauma, cardiac and paediatric life support courses and trauma evaluation and management.

This year simulation in the emergency department has been expanded to include a weekly session for undergraduate medical students on their emergent care placement. At the end of their rotation, students are exposed to a simulated critically unwell patient. Emergency medicine as a specialty is well positioned to advance simulation-based research and patient safety, and we at St. James’s Emergency Department are committed to being leaders in providing emergency medicine simulation education.

THE BLACKBOARD

A journey back in time: The Historic Anatomy Tool

By Dr Denis Barry

The project is enhancing the Discipline of Anatomy’s blended offerings through the digitisation of historic anatomical teaching resources via the development of a novel interactive e-learning platform. The Old Anatomy Museum at Trinity houses an extensive collection of historical teaching artefacts, many of which retain extraordinary pedagogical value. However, due to their delicate nature, repairs, and potentially sensitive content, these artefacts are rarely used for student learning. They include historic plaster casts, posters, cadaveric specimen, and wax models that visually describe the human form from unique perspectives revealing key insights into typical and pathological anatomy, and which are very difficult to model or prosect using donors. Learning from the past is also strengthened by the rarity of some specimens which gives students an appreciation of the dedication and skill required to prepare teaching tools of such exceptional quality.

To exhibit these teaching artefacts to modern anatomy students, using funding from the National Forum for Teaching and Learning’s ‘Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement’ (SATLE) fund, we have developed an interactive online platform which showcases digitized versions of these historical teaching tools. This was achieved using the Articulate360© online training tool, which enables content creators share their content in the virtual learning environment, Blackboard©. Interactive labels, hover

points and images from multiple angles simulate student attendance at a medical museum and mimic the experiential elements of attending the Old Anatomy museum. Through the inclusion of insightful provenances and case histories, students are taken on a journey back in time to learn not only from the original donors, but also from the physicians and anatomists who treated and prepared the specimen, offering fascinating insights into the healthcare systems and the education values of the time. Careful consideration was given to which specimens were to be showcased.

The project includes the Interactive Cross Sectional Anatomy Tool which blends learning through the integration of radiological imagery with historic cross-sectional cadaveric plates sagittally sectioned at each vertebral level via the development of a novel interactive e-learning platform, using the Articulate360© online training tool. These crosssectional plates were originally created from an individual in the 1890’s, initially frozen and were then likely encased in clear Perspex formalin containers in the 1950s, which remains their current presentation. Using a tablet, students can inspect and learn from the cadaveric plates in person and digitally in the dissection theatre.

This teaching resource can be found on the Teaching and Learning National Forum Hub (please register first)

Supporting Student Success through Clinical Teacher Training

By Ms Clare Whelan

This inter-disciplinary initiative is aligned with the Trinity Strategic Plan Goal 3 “We Will Practice Next Generation Teaching and Learning” aiming to promote student success through the development of an open access digital Teaching and Learning for Clinical Teachers (TLCT) resource to support clinical teachers who supervise students in the clinical environment.

This resource aims to enhance teaching and learning in the clinical learning environment and to support clinical teachers’ education and professional development by;

• Introducing clinical teachers to relevant educational theories related to clinical teaching and learning

• Identifying strategies for effective teaching and learning in the clinical learning environment

• Enabling clinical teachers to enhance student engagement and promoting a culture of belonging in the clinical learning environment

• Enhancing clinical educators’ supervisory and management knowledge and skills in supporting students through diverse and complex clinical practice.

This resource will provide clinical teachers with an accessible toolkit of resources and strategies that may assist them in efficiently developing skills that support them to balance their busy patient workloads and provide optimal input to their clinical teaching roles.

This teaching resource can be found on the Teaching and Learning National Forum Hub (please register first)

Online Educational Resource (OER) as part of the DEPTH project

Annie O’Brien developed an Online Educational Resource (OER) as part of the DEPTH project, led by Dr Cuisle Forde, hosted on the National Forum Resource Hub. The free resource provides staff and students with an evidenceinformed tool to guide them in maximising digital technology when teaching, learning and assessing clinical skills.

Importantly, this resource aims to promote positive attitudes towards digital technology within medical education. It provides examples of what skills may be best suited to a blended or remote teaching approach based upon the sensory (auditory, tactile, verbal) training required for successful skill acquisition, and provides key considerations when attempting to match a skill to a tool based upon a skill’s sensory components. It also provides educators and learners with tips and recommendations on how to get the most from digitally supported clinical skills teaching.

Staff and students from a range of health science disciplines feature on this resource. They share their experiences of using technology to teach and learn core clinical competencies, and they describe what worked best for their disciplines, and what challenges they faced along the way. This includes the experiences of Dr Denis Barry and Ms Dearbhla Cullinane from Anatomy, Dr Michael O’Sullivan from Dental Science, Ms Freda Neill from Nursing, Dr Michelle Leech from Radiation Therapy, Mr Mark McGowan from Physiotherapy, and medical student Chiara Amisano.

This teaching resource can be found on the Teaching and Learning National Forum Hub (please register first)

By Annie O’Brien

School of Medicine at the centre of European Researchers’ Night

European Researcher’s night took place on 30th September last. This pan -European (26 countries) event aims to demonstrate to the public how science and research can impact member state citizens’ lives in an accessible and engaging way.

The School of Medicine was very well represented with researchers on all campuses taking part. Here, Dr. Michelle Leech interviews Asst. Prof. Claire Poole (CP) from Radiation Therapy and Dr. Naomi Algeo (NA) from Occupational Therapy to find out more.

(L-R - Asst. Prof. Claire Poole, Radiation Therapist and Dr. Naomi Algeo Occupational Therapist)

NA: My name is Dr. Naomi Algeo, a Senior Occupational Therapist in Oncology/Haematology at St. James’s Hospital, and postdoctoral researcher at the Discipline of Occupational Therapy, Trinity College Dublin. I am the Chair of the Trinity St. James’s Cancer Survivorship Group and sit on the World Health Organisation Development Group for Cancer Rehabilitation.

CP: My name is Claire Poole, and I am an Assistant Professor at the Discipline of Radiation Therapy. One of my keys focuses within the Discipline, is engaging the public.

ML: How did you become involved in European Researchers Night?

NA: I have a strong working relationship across St James’s Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, and the Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, and learned about the event via those networks.

CP: One of the key elements of my research is trying to understand the public perception and knowledge of radiation therapy as a cancer treatment. During this research and through my previous clinical work, I often have the pleasure of conversing with patients and the public. During these conversations, we have great discussions about their experiences, and they are often very insightful with some great ideas about what we need to focus on as health care professionals and medics, however many would say that research is not for them.

I really wanted to convey to the public that research is not just ‘clinical trials’ and ‘tissue samples’- that their opinions and experiences also matter. My aim was to highlight how important it is that the public share their personal experiences and opinions in the modern research era. I was determined to demonstrate how their opinions can impact research and be used to drive research goals and implementation of initiatives. I feel it is important as researchers, that we do what is beneficial to the public from their perspective and not just ours!

ML: Please describe the research that you presented on the night. Why is this research important for the public to be aware of?

NA: I presented my doctoral research, ‘The development and feasibility of the occupational therapy-led ‘Work and Cancer’ intervention for women living with and beyond breast cancer: A multi-methods study’. In line with earlier cancer detection and enhanced treatment, cancer survivorship is growing. As a result, there is now a focus on living well beyond cancer, including a focus on reintegration into the workplace. At present, there are no dedicated services or programmes to support return to work postcancer diagnosis. Therefore, we developed the ‘Work and Cancer’ programme which was co-designed by women with

breast cancer. Early findings indicate promising potential for the programme which was cited as “a one-stop shop package’’, “really special” and “beneficial” to women with breast cancer.

CP: On the night, I spoke about my own PhD research “Cancer community perceptions and knowledge of Radiation Therapy as a cancer treatment’. One my key discussion points on the night was how the public (former patients and their families) helped shape the next phase of my research. Through their participation in qualitative research, they identified that their own GPS/family doctors seemed to have a lack of knowledge around radiation therapy treatment. This is an important finding as the barriers to accessing radiation therapy may not be fear from the patient perspective rather a lack of information giving from medics such as the family doctor. They cannot advocate or recommend radiation therapy treatment if they have a lack of knowledge and understanding.

ML: What were the highlights of the night, in your opinion?

NA: Personally, I loved that there was both biomedical and survivorship research presented on the night. In my field, I focus on cancer survivorship and rehabilitation, so it was refreshing to learn from my lab-based colleagues who are focusing on earlier cancer detection and enhancing cancer treatments, an area that I wouldn’t be exposed to on a regular basis.

CP: For me, the highlight was speaking directly with the public on the night and explaining my research to them. It gave me the opportunity to speak with people who were not searching specifically for this information however were happy to have it explained and ask questions. Often the public are shy at first and don’t want to engage however will often stay to have a conversation once you engage them. I felt through explaining my research some members of the public could see the importance of sharing their thoughts and opinions. They were able to understand the possible impact.

ML: Do you have any advice for other researchers in the School who are considering taking part in the event in 2023?

NA: Sign up and take part! It’s always useful to communicate research in an accessible way, but also to hear feedback from the public and others outside of our field.

CP: I would recommend that other researchers get involved as it is a great way to meet people and explain the importance of your research. The public are very engaging, and I enjoyed it immensely-even in the wind! My one tip- would be do more than a poster- make it interactive or engaging if you can. If not, just smile and be interested and so will others.

ML:. Can you briefly introduce yourself and state which Discipline/Unit you are from?

SENSE-Cog Residential Care’s ‘real world’ public engagement on European Researchers’ Night

Did you know that seven in ten Europeans over the age of 65 live with sight or hearing problems and over two-thirds live with depression or dementia? When combined, these conditions have a much greater impact than individually. SENSE-Cog is a program focused on promoting mental well-being for individuals with dementia in residential care by identifying novel methods of screening for age-related hearing and vision impairment.

Visitors were treated to a demonstration and the opportunity to discuss the research, funded by the HRB-DIFA call (PI: I Leroi). Researchers used a range of ear defenders, ear plugs, and spectacles designed to mimic various causes of vision loss such as glaucoma and low visual acuity in attendees. Visitors were then guided through a range of games

By Ann-Michelle Mullally

including bingo, connect four, and Rubik’s race. This gave attendees the opportunity to attempt complex or precise tasks as someone who experiences vision or hearing loss, showcasing the importance of functioning sensory inputs both in everyday tasks and in cognitive assessments.

Many attendees expressed their surprise at how difficult the games were with sensory loss, and how the intersection of dementia with sensory loss was not something they had encountered before. Sparking interest in students in science and providing researchers a chance to share their work are central tenets of EU Researchers night.

The SENSE-Cog Care team

SHOWCASE OF WONDERS

The other awardees are Dr. Frédérique Vallières (Psychology) who will work alongside Cliona Ni Cheallaigh and Prof. Mary McCarron (Trinity Centre for Ageing with an Intellectual Disability).

The prestigious HRB’s Knowledge Transfer Awards or KTAs (formally known as KEDS,) is a supplementary funding scheme open to invited grant holders only.

‘Knowledge translation’ describes the set of activities involved in moving research and its results from an academic or scientific context to their practical application in health services and health care systems.

School of Medicine celebrates HRB Knowledge Transfer Awards

Eight Trinity researchers have received Knowledge Transfer Awards through the Health Research Board (HRB) that supports researchers and knowledge users to work together to shape and deliver knowledge translation activities that will improve the exchange of research findings and/or its translation into policy and practice. Six of the recipients are based in the School of Medicine.

The awardees are from a range of disciplines within the school: Prof. Mark Little (Nephrology), Prof. Ursula Fearon (Molecular Rheumatology), Prof. Maeve Caldwell (Physiology), Prof. Martina Hennessy/Gerry Hughes (St. James’s Hospital), Dr. Jennifer Hoblyn (Psychiatry), Prof. Iracema Leroi (Psychiatry), and Dr. Cliona Ni Cheallaigh (Clinical Medicine).

A diverse range of research areas have received these awards, including, but not limited to; trauma-informed care for safety and empowerment of patients in acute and emergency settings, empathy-based eLearning outreach programmes for professionals caring for patients with Huntington’s Disease, and a study to engage, educate and encourage participation of patients and family in the understanding and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

The knowledge translation activities from these projects will improve the exchange of research findings and/or its translation into policy and practice.

Professor Steve Thomas Inaugural Lecture

Professor Steve Thomas gave his (Covid-19 delayed) Inaugural Lecture on 29th September 2022, in the Tercentenary Lecture Theatre in TBSI. Professor Thomas is the Edward Kennedy Chair of Health Policy and Management and the Director of Health Policy and Engagement for the School of Medicine. During his lecture, he reflected on his 27 years of international experience in health systems across four continents, as a global leader in research and policy around health system resilience and reform, alongside his experience of advising governments and international organisations. This event also provided Prof Thomas an opportunity to reflect on his personal journey, acknowledging the support and influence of his family, friends and colleagues. A recording of his Inaugural Lecture can be accessed here

Professor Steve Thomas

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

January is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Time for a National Screening Programme? Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Ireland. By 2045, the annual number of lung cancer cases could increase up to 131 per cent in men and 105 per cent in women. Those with early-stage lung cancer can undergo curative therapies. In March 2021, the US Preventive Services Taskforce (USPSTF) issued a national consensus: high-risk adults between the ages of 50 and 80 should be screened annually by CT. Many countries have demonstrated the benefit of screening in at-risk populations, but Ireland has yet to act on a national basis. A cost-benefit analysis should be initiated in this area with a view to implementation of a lung cancer screening programme. See more on lung cancer screening and the Dail here. See an awareness video from Marie Keating Foundation here

Masterclass group photo

Four SoM members on faculty of the UK’s Dementia Academy Masterclass

The 7th Dementia MasterClass took place on 20-21st October in Halifax Hall, Sheffield - the first of its kind to take place since before the pandemic. The break in delivery has provided an opportunity to revisit the original style of the programme, resulting in more case-based learning, practical application, and interactive discussion than ever before. SoM faculty members included Profs Sean Kennelly (medical gerontology), Iracema Leroi (psychiatry), Dr Sean O’Dowd (neurology), and Ms Lisa Sheridan (SALT).

The 40 healthcare professionals in attendance spanned various roles including consultant geriatricians and old age psychiatrists, specialist nurses, therapists, GPs, associate professors, registrars and speciality doctors. The first day of the programme provided essential background to dementia, neurosciences, cognitive domains and neuropsychological testing followed by a case-based dig into typical and atypical clinical phenotypes. The second day focused on management across the lifespan of dementia from brain health optimisation and dementia prevention, through mild cognitive impairment and the dementia prodrome, and into management, both early stage, complex, and hospital based. For the first time, this MasterClass will be supporting delegates in completing a quality improvement project. The course ended with some inspiring words from Academic Director Prof Iracema Leroi, who encouraged delegates to think how they would put their learning into practice.

Pushing boundaries…. Patient advocate in the school of medicine

The mother of a child with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) (1:6,000) genetic disorder, producing tumour growth throughout the body, causing epilepsy, autism, intellectual disability, neuropsychological disorders, renal and pulmonary complications is conducting the first Irish research to inform the creation of a new TSC service. Read more at: Tuberous Sclerosis, a disease with an Orphan Complex

Mary Vasseghi

Poet and Adjunct Prof in Medical Humanities Martin Dyar has edited a new anthology of poems titled Vital Signs: Poems of Illness and Healing. Published by Poetry Ireland in collaboration with Prof Luke O’Neill, the book includes classic and contemporary poems, and a foreword by President Michael D Higgins. It was launched by Dr Muiris Houston at Books Upstairs on D’Olier Street in October, and is available in all bookshops.

TCD partners attend launch of phase 2 of ICAT

The second phase of the Irish Clinical Academic Training (ICAT) programme was launched by Taoiseach Micheál Martin T.D. in University of Galway. TCD led the first phase of ICAT and the second phase is led by University of Galway with €21.3 million funding to train 42 new fellows in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine. The ICAT programme is an all-island programme with six partner universities (Trinity College Dublin, University of Galway, Queens University Belfast, University College Cork, University College Dublin, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland). A total of 81 fellows will be supported over both cycles of the programme.

Horizon Europe Success

There are 8 TCD ICAT fellows to-date that have delivered a range of scientific discoveries and are recipients of multiple awards and prizes: Dr Kapil Sharma (Psychiatry), Liam Townsend (Infectious Diseases), Dr Karen McCarthy (General Paediatrics), Dr Jennifer Scott (Nephrology), Dr Conor Grant (Infectious Diseases), Dr Katie Ridge (Immunology), Dr Adam Dyer (Geriatric Medicine), Dr Oana Deac (Medical Oncology). The TCD ICAT Directors are Prof Martina Hennessy, Prof Padraic Fallon, Prof Michael Gill from the School of Medicine and Prof Brian O’Connell from the Dental School.

Professor Charlotte Robert and Nathan

L-R: Prof Padraic Fallon, Prof Martian Hennessy, Dr Adam Dyer and Prof Brian O’Connell (left to right) at the ICAT launch.

Congratulations to Professor Richard Reilly who was recently awarded with Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland

Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland

Major new poetry anthology edited by Martin Dyar

From Dublin to the Canadian Maritimes…following the legacy of Dr Conolly Norman, renowned 19th century ‘alienist’

By Iracema Leroi

In early November, the PULSE was notified of the sad death of Dr Conolly Norman, a Trinity graduate who migrated to Canada in 1968 and worked as a consultant hematopathologist in Montreal, Toronto, and finally, from 1995 onwards, in Saint John and Halifax. (Conolly NORMAN Obituary (1936 - 2022) - The Globe and Mail (legacy.com)

Dr Norman, or ‘Con’, survived by his widow Sharon, and the rest of his family was named for his famous relative, the renowned 19th century psychiatrist and Resident Medical Superintendent of Ireland’s largest asylum, the Richmond District Lunatic Asylum (now called St Brendan’s Hospital).

While at the asylum, Dr Connolly Norman, the 19th century ‘alienist’ introduced several important reforms in the care of patients with mental ill health. Also a Trinity graduate (around 1878), he worked in various asylums including the Bethlem Royal Hospital in London. He published numerous papers in including his first in 1885, ‘On Insanity Alternating with Spasmodic Asthma’ and, in 1905, ‘Modern Witchcraft: a Study of a Phase of Paranoia’. Today, Dr Conolly Norman is remembered at Trinity through the eponymous old age psychiatry ward at St James Hospital, looked after by consultant, Dr Catriona Crowe, as well as the Conolly Norman Chair of Old Age Psychiatry, Professor Brian Lawlor, which was awarded in 1999 Prof Lawlor states, ‘Conolly Norman was a true giant of Irish psychiatry, championing humane and person-centre care for people with mental illness’.

Finally, as with so many Dublin institutions, Conolly Norman has also been immortalized by Buck Mulligan, who stated, ‘That fellow I was in the Ship with last night, […]says you have g.p.i.* He’s up in Dottyville with Conolly Norman.’ James Joyce, Ulysses

* [General Paralysis of the Insane] Reference: Reynolds, Joseph (1992). Grange Gorman: psychiatric care in Dublin since 1815. Dublin, Ireland: Institute of Public Administration in association with Eastern Health Board. p. 152. ISBN 1-872002-61-7.

This paper details recommendations for both staff and students to overcome the barriers presented by online clinical skills teaching and learning, and how best to leverage the many opportunities it presents.

Authors: Annie OBrien and Cuisle Forde. Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/10872981.202 2.2068210

On 6th Oct TUH Foundation (TUHF) hosted a special evening in the Museum of Modern Literature (MoLI) to mark Innovate Health’s first year. Tánaiste Leo Varadkar praised InnovateHealth and the plans for a state- of- the art innovation building on site. There were exciting discussions across industry, academia, and public sector. Like more information email Dr. Cole @ innovation@tuh.ie

Dr Conolly Norman, Dublin

Dr Conolly Norman, Saint John , New foundland (1936-2022)

Professor Brian Lawlor, Conolly Norman Chair of Old Age Psychiatry at Trinity

Recent Med Grads Publish Lung Screening Research

Four recent School of Medicine graduates published a review of health economic analyses of lung screening. Drs Matt Fabbro, Kirah Hahn, Olivia Novaes, Mícheál Ó’Grálaigh found many analyses do not employ suitable methods to identify optimal policies. The study is published in PharmacoEconomics Open with their supervisor Dr James O’Mahony.

Successful PhD in Pharmacology and Therapeutics

Congratulations to Niamh Carey, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics and National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, who recently passed her PhD viva. Niamh’s thesis, titled Health Technology Assessment of CD19 CAR T-Cell Therapies in the Irish Healthcare Setting, was examined by Prof Dyfrig Hughes (University of Bangor) and Prof Larry Bacon (Trinity College Dublin/St James’s Hospital). This research examined areas including expert elicitation methodology, value of information analysis, and payer-applicant risk-sharing agreements. The outputs of this research can inform reimbursement decision-making of future CAR T-cell therapies globally. Niamh has disseminated her research at several international conferences, and in peerreviewed journals, with the support of her supervisors Dr Laura Mc Cullagh and Prof Michael Barry.

Trinity Intern Network Hosts 3rd National Academic Track Showcase

By Dr Elaine Burke

Clinician scientists, educators, researchers, students and supporters from all over the country gathered in Tangent, Trinity’s Ideas Workspace on 29th September to celebrate the achievements of the next generation of clinician scientists in Ireland, the academic interns. The academic internship track offers junior doctors in their first postgraduate year an opportunity to combine clinical practice with academic work, with supports including protected time, a research supervisor, access to dedicated study days, and a bursary. The programme is highly competitive, with only 24 posts nationally; academic interns have been shown to contribute significantly to their field of interest and many have gone on to achieve prestigious posts such as ICAT Fellowship Training and NDTP Spark Fellowship.

The showcase is an opportunity to highlight the achievements of the academic interns and displays the scope, diversity, and quality of the work undertaken. The showcase was opened by Dr Linda Doyle, Provost of Trinity. Presentations were delivered in informal and engaging ways, e.g., through demonstrations and panel discussions. Mr Ed Smith from Today FM represented the patient perspective and delivered a moving insight into his personal experiences. The presentations came to a conclusion with a final talk on musculoskeletal disorders in musicians, delivered with help from the Amatis String Quartet. Closing words were delivered by Dr Jennifer Finnegan and Professor Brian Kinirons of HSE NDTP. The event was organised by members of the Trinity/Dublin South East Intern Network Team including Dr Elaine Burke, Mr Evan Blake and Ms Marianne Crowley, led by Professor Martina Hennessy.

L-R:Prof Larry Bacon, Niamh Carey and Prof Dyfrig Hughes

Dr. Eric Downer leads the Translation Neuroimmunology Research laboratory at the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, conducting translational patient-orientated research in MS and related neuroinflammatory disorders. MS is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune condition of the central nervous system. MS is characterized by episodes of inflammation, leading to neuronal dysfunction and a broad spectrum of symptoms. More than 2 million people worldwide suffer from MS, and it is one of the primary causes of neurological disability in young adults. At present, on the island of Ireland, there are approximately 13,500 people with MS (9,000 in the Republic of Ireland and 4,500 in Northern Ireland). There is no cure for the condition, with a number of disease modifying agents approved which reduce disease activity and the frequency of relapses; however, the management of symptoms remains a challenge clinically. Dr Downer’s team was recently awarded an Irish Research Council Enterprise Partnership Scheme grant in partnership with Dr. Jack Prenderville, Associate Director, Transpharmation Limited. This research will build on the expertise of Prof. Downer’s team and Transpharmation’s expanding inflammation service portfolio. The overarching goal of this project is to define the role of the inflammsome in MS and to identify novel inflammasome inhibitors that have efficacy in cells from people with MS.

Lead PI: Dr. Eric Downer, Associate Prof. in Human Health & Disease Collaborators: Dr. Jack Prenderville, Associate Director, Transpharmation Limited Funding Call: Irish Research Council Enterprise Partnership Scheme Researchers at the Department of Physiology in the School of Medicine at TCD are developing novel therapeutics that target key cellular mechanisms underlying Multiple Sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis.

Newly funded Multiple Sclerosis project

Foundations for Sláintecare implementation research seminar

PI Prof Sara Burke and team will share findings from the last three years of the project. Funded under the HRB’s applied partnership award, this co-designed research undertaken in partnership with the HSE and Department of Health is making an impact both on a policy level and via a number of academic publications. The seminar to share this work will take place on Wednesday 7 December 9am - 2pm. To sign up please go to this link here.

Discipline of psychiatry takes on the 102nd Liffey Swim

On September 24, at least two members from the SoM’s psychiatry discipline, Julie-Ann Lyons (psychoanalytic psychotherapy) and Iracema Leroi (geriatric psychiatry), competed in the 102nd Liffey river swim. Both seasoned open water swims, the pair joined 183 other women to complete the 2.2km race in under 30 minutes, braving cold water, flotsam, jetsam and other interesting species of floating objects. Iracema had the 10th fastest female time overall, placing first in her age group. Julie-Ann has done the race several times, but it was the first time for Iracema. She commented, ‘it was thrilling to take part in such an iconic Dublin event, in spite of the pungency of the water’.

[L-RDr. Jack Prenderville (Associate Director, Transpharmation Limited). Almudena Otalora Alcaraz (Irish Research Council PhD Candidate) Dr. Eric Downer (Associate Professor in Human Health and Disease, TCD]

Photo: The three fastest seeded women diving in last with a 23 mi nute handicap (Iracema on the right) [reproduced with permission from Jason Clarke]

FHS EDI Visiting Professor Series

Professor Carole Clair and Professor Joëlle Schwarz visit TCD. As part of the FHS EDI Visiting Professor Series, Julie Broderick and Elizabeth Forde hosted Carole Clair and Joëlle Schwarz from the Medicine and Gender Unit at Unisanté in Lausanne. During the Inclusive Trinity Festival they delivered talks on The Gendered Curriculum, and Navigating Gender Bias in Patient Management. Elizabeth Forde and Julie Broderick

Congratulations to Dr Geraldine Foley, Assistant Professor (Occupational Therapy), in obtaining a Dean’s Research Initiative award to undertake qualitative research on patient and family caregiver treatment decisionmaking in specialist palliative care. The work is in collaboration with Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services.

A number of research pieces were presented at HAI ‘22 by Trinity & SJH collaborative researchers in the area of stem-cell transplantation and CAR-T, including an award for best clinical research poster.

Dr Geraldine Foley obtains Dean’s Research Initiative Award

Dr Geraldine Foley

Challenges with medical device regulation put necessary paediatric surgeries at risk

Research led by Trinity College Dublin has found that a regulation which came into effect in May 2021 with the aim of improving the oversight of medical devices in Ireland is leading to unintended consequences which may put some surgeries for children, and the treatment of rare diseases, at risk. The study has been published in the journal Pediatric Cardiology, on Thursday, 20th October 2022.

Medical devices include a great diversity of technologies, which are evaluated and approved in the European Union (EU) according to a revised law that came into effect on 26 May 2021, known as the Medical Device Regulation or MDR (EU 745/2017). It has a transition period that allows products that were approved under the previous rules (the EU Medical Device Directives) to continue to be marketed until 26 May 2024 at the latest. As a result of a series of unforeseen factors, there is a possibility that the MDR may result in products becoming unavailable, with the consequent risk of a loss of some interventions that are reliant upon those devices. Devices that are used for orphan or paediatric indications are particularly vulnerable to this.

balloon catheter, first developed by Dr William Rashkind in 1966 to open the upper chambers in the heart in neonates with congenital heart disease. A number of these balloons were once available in Europe and now there is only one. This device may become unavailable next year. If this happens, it will not be possible to continue this procedure, and alternative surgeries or treatments are far less optimal. The paper also describes the timeline and cost of bringing the device to market in the EU, the US and Canada, and the cost and time needed to access the EU market has become much greater.

Researchers believe there is now an urgent need for policy to be developed to protect essential medical devices for orphan indications and for use in children, to ensure that necessary interventions can continue, and to ensure a more sustainable system in Europe over the longer term. Clinicians in Europe need to be aware that particular medical devices may become unavailable over the next two years, and they should contribute to plans to mitigate this risk, so that they can continue to deliver the best possible care for their patients.

Tom

Melvin, Associate Professor of Medical Device Regulatory Affairs, School of Medicine, Trinity College, said:

The Medical Device Regulation came into effect in May 2021 with the aim of replacing the previous rules in place since the 1990’s and improving the safety of medical devices, in addition to supporting the introduction of innovative technologies. Due to a series of challenges in implementing these new rules, there is a risk that devices used for the treatment of rare diseases and children may be withdrawn from the market. If even a handful of devices leave the market, this can lead to serious implications for the surgical options that are available, and in some cases, this may lead to avoidable harm.

The paper provides an example of one device, the Rashkind

Professor Damien Kenny, Consultant in Paediatric Cardiology in Children’s Health Ireland said:

Medical devices are essential tools needed to treat many types of congenital and structural heart diseases in children. Although the Medical Device Regulation was introduced to improve the safety of these technologies, we have seen a number of important devices withdrawn from the market, which is already limiting some treatment options, and there is also a real risk that more will follow.

The paper: Orphan Medical Devices and Pediatric Cardiology – What Interventionists in Europe Need to Know, and What Needs to be Done can be viewed at this link here.

Exercise and Rehabilitation in Cancer Survivorship

A new website to promote physical activity in cancer survivors has been created by researchers from the Discipline of Surgery. CancerRehabilitation.ie was co-designed with patients and oncology healthcare professionals, as part of the PERCS study. The project is led by Dr Emer Guinan, principal investigator and Dr Louise Brennan, project manager and funded by the Irish Cancer Society and the NCCP.

Medday 2022 – A break from the books and a day for the buckets

By Marie Cormican

Trinity Researchers Highlight Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month in September

Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month is held globally each year in September. In Europe, this is headed up by the EU-IPFF. Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) is a chronic, irreversible lung disease with no known cure which is fatal. Each year, 50,000 Europeans lose their lives to PF.

Trinity researchers, Dr. Michelle Armstrong and Prof. Seamas Donnelly, based in Clinical Medicine, study the role of human variants in the Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) gene in the pathogenesis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). Recently, they established that the TLR3 L41F single nucleotide polymorphism is associated with reduced pulmonary fibroblast responses of IPF patients to both bacterial and viral TLR agonists, in addition to dysregulation of their lung microbiome. These effects contribute to the accelerated decline in lung function and mortality seen in rapidly progressive, 412F-variant IPF patients. This study was recently published as a research article, and was featured in an associated editorial, in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Research Article: https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.202010-3880OC Editorial: https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.202110-2244ED

MedDay, an annual tradition within the School of Medicine here in TCD, is primarily a day of fundraising for our affiliated university hospitals. This year in particular, proceeds will be funnelled towards projects such as a new stem cell unit in the children’s hospital in Crumlin and new exercise bikes for paediatric stem cell transplant patients. Not only is it a fantastic philanthropic effort on behalf of students but it is also a hugely enjoyable day for all involved.

To reward the sacrifice of two or three extra hours in bed, students collected a free breakfast in TBSI at 6am before stationing themselves at various street corners and thoroughfares across the city. From the leafy luas stops of Ranelagh and Milltown, to the bustling side streets off the quays, the coins began to collect. In addition to good old-fashioned bucket collecting, students found other ways of attracting public attention to their charitable efforts. 3rd year Ben O’Sullivan and 2nd year Mike Walsh could be found at the top of Grafton Street entertaining passers-by with their guitars for a good part of the morning.

Following a small lull around lunchtime as people took time to rest and recuperate, the fun really began in the Pav at around 4 o’clock. Hosted by two wonderful 4th year students, Tara Breslin and Aisling Hughes, it was an exhibition of imagination and good humour. After some slightly unconventional yet highly entertaining fundraising events, this bustling group migrated to the Ed Burke lecture theatre where the talent show began at 7pm. Attended by none other than enigmatic businessman Mattress Mick and our very own Dr Stephen Smith (Discipline of Microbiology), the atmosphere in that big, concrete lecture theatre was electric! In the end it was the final years’ recreation of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, which took home the much-coveted prize for best video. With fabulous gusto the talent show came to an end, speeches were made and cheers erupted. The Ed Burke quickly emptied as students made their way onwards into the night and the curtain come down on yet another MedDay.

In summary, the day was a resounding success. Speaking with one of the organisers Joy Cloonan (3rd year), she was “delighted with how everything went”. The seamless execution of the event was a testament to the tireless work of the MedDay committee and the student body as a whole. Hopefully we can pick up where we left off next year! To keep up to date with us, link in with Medday on Twitter and Instagram.

(L-R: Dr. Michelle Armstrong and Prof. Seamas Donnelly)

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF…

A day in the life of…Professor

Michael Gill

Our Editor (IL) had the honour of interviewing outgoing Head of School (HoS), Professor Michael Gill on October 18, 2022. Michael zoomed in from the new HoS’s office, prefacing the interview by aptly stating that the interview had to be short since he would soon be asked to leave the office….

Enjoy reading Michaels’s ‘Day in the Life of….’ as he reflects on his year in SoM’s top job.

Biosketch

Professor Michael Gill (MD, MRCPsych FTCD) is Professor of Psychiatry and former Head of School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin and Consultant Psychiatrist at St James’ Hospital. He previously lead the Neuropsychiatric Genetics Research Group which conducts ongoing phenotypic and genomic investigations into autism, psychosis and ADHD. Prior to taking up the post of HoS in 2017 he was the founding Director of the Wellcome/HRB Clinical Research Facility at St. James’s Hospital. He stepped down as HoS and retired in September 2022.

I’m not really sure; it was never on my radar. I was happy in my position in psychiatry, developing the discipline and then I was asked to take over as director of the Clinical Research Facility at St James’ Hospital. That was odd as up until that point, I had no trials or drug regulatory experience. But the position opened up a new horizon and put me in touch with a broader range of disciplines in school – Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynacology and so one. The CRF was the precursor and I found that I worked well with my colleagues who were outside psychiatry. So, when the time came to fill the HoS post, I was somewhat prepared. I certainly did not search it out. At that time, the school was under funded and needed investment – a lot had to be done to get into the top 100 of the world’s medical schools. I felt I could contribute to this.

▷ What

your initial plans as a fledgling Hos?

Investing in the school was a priority. So, I developed an investment plan outside the main college budgetary model. This involved a significant investment in additional posts (new academic and administrative faculty, strategic Chair positions and young talent through the ICAT program as well as infrastructure, such as the student centre in TBSI.

▷ What skills did you bring to the role?

The CRF taught me some key lessons, particularly around quality management systems and regulatory affairs. Also, the multidisciplinary nature of the CRF reflects what a school of medicine should look like. Everyone there is professional and works well across disciplines, which I liked. As HoS, I also brought an understanding, developed through the CRF, about SoPs, templates, delegation logs and so on. I think this is reflected in one of the first new posts I brought in –a quality and regulatory affairs manager, Shannon Keegan. This role changed the way we operate in the SoM, bringing in proper SoPs, Ts&Cs and other quality measures that go beyond the accepted wisdom and collective memory.

▷ What was unique about the new role?

I already knew how to run a small research group. I had had ample management experience from psychiatry. The CRF added to this experience since it’s a unique entity, being a university organisation but operating within a hospital structure. This interface between hospital and university was similar to the position of the HoS. Also, from my position within the university, I had to interface with multiple health care entities, and that’s not even counting the many GP practices. I had to understand differences in budgets and learn to negotiate the languages of these different entities.

What is the defining feature of your years as HoS?

That’s easy - it was Covid – three years were taken up with this. No-one could have prepared for that. I was on a plane back from a student recruitment visit to Saudi, and, using the inflight online facility for the first time, I heard Professor Joe Harbison telling us that all students were being sent home. This posed an existential threat to the school. Our job is to train doctors and allied health professionals. This means we need students to be able to see patients and be on the wards. We couldn’t possibly do this without clinical placements. But we managed…everyone rallied and the students were incredibly professional. They complied fully with the restrictions and supported all the measures we had to put in place. Appointing Professor Kevin Conlon to lead the ‘back to business ‘group was one of best decisions I’ve made. Who knew that his task would take two years! I believe our operations during Covid were a model for the rest of College.

Other key achievements of which I am proud include the investment plan, our Athena Swan Bronze award and returning to the top 100 schools. Moreover, after long and hard negotiations, we have finally agreed new governance structures that will create five new divisions incorporating the current 21 disciplines.

Interesting question. There may initially have been a credibility gap with some of my clinical colleagues. Psychiatry has a soft science element that some find hard to handle; however, since my research was genomics and biological psychiatry, this was easier to bridge. Also, I wasn’t the first psychiatrist to be HoS – Peter Beckett, Professor of Psychiatry, was the first HoS in 1969. He sadly passed away soon after taking on the role, and thankfully, I have not emulated him in this respect.

▷ Michael, it’s an honour having this chat. May I start by asking you about the life path that led you to become HoS of Trinity SoM?

were

▷

▷ Did leading a medical school as a psychiatrist pose any particular challenges?

‘...When you have this type of cohesive team working together, feeling empowered and taking ideas forward –that’s what gets me out of bed’.

▷ What about your biggest regret?

Definitely student mental health and student suicide. These had a huge impact on everyone. There was a lot of anger and distress among the students, and many lashed out against the school. I can understand that. Students react to the tangibles. What they cannot see are the intangibles – that mental illness drives suicide. As a psychiatrist I have some insight into how to handle these situations, but I still ask myself whether there was anything that could be done differently.

▷ What got you out of bed every morning?

The job was challenging and at times overwhelming. I was never not enthused by it. I enjoyed working with the group of people within the school executive, the management team, young researchers, the Directors, enthusiastic students and clinical colleagues. When you have this type of cohesive team working together, feeling empowered and taking ideas forward – that’s what gets me out of bed.

▷ What is your advice for the new HOS?

I would respectively advise the following: (1) delegate your pauthority; (2) trust your colleagues; (3) make decisions

even if some will be wrong; they come thick and fast; and (4) encourage engagement of younger colleagues with a focus on specific projects rather than just administrative roles.

▷ What’s next in the life plan?

Very straightforward - part time project work to finish up key things such as the ICAT program and support the development of Old Anatomy as a public museum – it houses an extraordinary range of material. People are fascinated by the history of medicine. The Old Anatomy Museum will foster this in a relevant and sensitive way.

On a personal level, I have a supportive and caring wife of 40 years, two wonderful daughters, three lovely grandchildren and one on the way; these will take my time. We are blessed that they are close to us. It’s lovely to see them grow up. I love working with my hands and have a number of long delayed DIY projects to tackle. And hillwalking – this is another pleasure of mine and one which I hope I will be indulging in the years to come.

Michael, it has been an absolute pleasure chatting with you. We wish you the very best in this new phase of life.

Meet the Team

Michelle Leech

Iracema Leroi

Steve Thomas Mary O’Neill Lucie Mingmei Hao Michelle Hendrick

Marie Cormican