THROUGH THE
FRONT DOOR RCSI’s Head Porter has many wide-ranging responsibilities but according to Frank Donegan, the job is all about who you know (and that means everyone)
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rank Donegan is hugely proud of his role as Head Porter at RCSI, a position he has held since 2013 when he took over after the retirement of Jim Sherlock, who in turn succeeded the late Terry Slattery. It was the latter who employed 17-year-old Frank, who was born and bred on York Street, in a building since demolished on the site of 26 York Street. Frank remembers the early days of his job: “Before I became the fittest messenger boy in Dublin, I was knackered trying to get blood and urine (gallons of it!) to various hospitals, miles apart, within just a few hours. I confess that sometimes then, I’d hold a few back until the next day’s trip. One day, a nice girl, a technician in pathology who I had taken a bit of a shine to, sat me down and gave me a cup of tea. She explained how patients would be so worried waiting for test results. That changed my whole attitude. I’d get the samples to where they needed to be in rain, hail or snow.” That attitude was to serve the College well. Having spent so much of his life working at RCSI, there isn’t anything Frank doesn’t know about the place – or anyone he doesn’t know. Always ready to welcome returning alumni, visitors, invited speakers, conference delegates, he is quick to effect introductions, smooth paths and make things happen efficiently and courteously, ready to whisper a name into the ear of a member of staff who might need a prompt. He handles sensitive and confidential information and is the epitome of discretion. He is the College Mace Bearer at key events and maintains many RCSI traditions. He conducts tours of the College for prospective students and their families and understands the importance of this, the bigger picture, for RCSI: these students will be the future. He is always ready to provide support for an evening event or when things are particularly busy. “I’m part of a bigger team,” he says. “We are all proud to work together.” Here, he gives an insight into some of the characters alumni always remember... ■ PROFESSOR PATRICK BROE Consultant General Surgeon, Beaumont Hospital and Former President of RCSI “Our paths crossed most when Professor Broe was President of the College; at the many events, I’d look after him, make introductions with visitors. Warm, approachable, down to earth.”
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■ ANNE LEGGE Former Lecturer in Anatomy “Alumni always recall her teaching powers, the way she could communicate made her very popular with students.”
■ FRANK DONEGAN Frank started at RCSI in the 1980s doing blood runs from the College to the hospitals, progressed to Porter, Deputy Head Porter and is now Head Porter.
■ PROFESSOR ARNOLD HILL Head of the School of Medicine and Professor of Surgery “Leading breast cancer surgeon and head of the medical school, the Prof is known to everyone.” ■ PROFESSOR MOIRA O’BRIEN Former Lecturer in Anatomy “Before my time, but alumni still ask for her. Her number one concern was for students and she inspired huge respect as lecturer in Anatomy. She was also well-known for being the Irish Olympic team doctor for years. I last met her when she was at RCSI to receive the Distinguished Graduate Award in 2020.”
