RCSI NEWS
RCSI HOSTS NATIONAL SURGICAL SKILLS COMPETITION Medical students from across the island of Ireland came to RCSI’s state-of-the-art surgical simulation facilities at 26 York Street in Dublin to compete in the annual National Surgical Skills Competition 2020. Abidur Rahman from Trinity College Dublin, took home the top prize, Sarah Shanahan from University College Dublin secured second place, with third place going to Michael Towers from RCSI. Almost 60 medical students competed from seven universities, including Queens University, Belfast.
RCSI MyHealth public lectures Members of the public were invited to learn about positive health and wellness at a series of online lectures bringing together leading experts across a range of topics, including exercise, smoking, vaping, alcohol, stress management, mindfulness and relaxation. Hosted by the newly established RCSI Centre for Positive Psychology and Health, the series will address how factors such as optimism and mindfulness may lead to better health. Launching the series, Professor Ciarán O’Boyle, Director of the Centre for Positive Psychology and Health, said: “The World Health Organization defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Modern research is showing that we as individuals can do a great deal, not only to prevent or delay the onset of disease, but also to increase significantly our own health and well-being.” See RCSI events pages and social channels for news and updates.
FIRST PROGRESS WOMEN IN SURGERY FELLOWSHIP
In February, Ms Ailín Rogers, FRCSI, became the recipient of Ireland’s first PROGRESS Women in Surgery Fellowship, funded by Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies. RCSI published the ‘PROGRESS: Promoting Gender Equality in Surgery’ report in 2017, identifying the barriers to female progression in surgery and calling for the provision of fellowship for female surgeons to inspire exceptional trainees with career-defining international fellowship training. Ms Rogers will undertake a fellowship in robotic colorectal surgery and multi-visceral resection for advanced pelvic malignancy at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.
Ailín Rogers
Honorary Fellowhip: Dato’ Dr Godfrey Geh Dato’ Dr Godfrey Geh has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by RCSI in recognition of his outstanding contribution to medical education. Dr Geh, who graduated in 1965, was instrumental in the establishment of the Penang Medical College in 1996 in a joint venture with RCSI and University College Dublin (UCD), now known as RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus (RUMC). Kenneth Mealy, President, RCSI and Dato’ Dr Godfrey Geh Dr Geh is presently the senior consultant general and plastic surgeon at Pantai Hospital Penang. “In a career that has spanned over 50 years, Dr Geh has been an international leader in supporting and mentoring health care professionals, which has enabled people to live long and healthy lives,” said Mr Kenneth Mealy, President, RCSI. “Dr Geh embodies all the attributes this university instils in its graduates. He has reached out with caring compassion and professionalism to his patients, established sustainable models of surgical care and has left a lasting legacy for future leaders in medical care through the establishment of an international medical school.” Read more about Dr Geh in A Life’s Work, on page 34.
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