A FLOURISHING COMMUNITY

Go Forth and Flourish, the line on our magazine cover, illustrated so beautifully by John Devolle, was inspired by the theme that runs throughout this edition of our annual RCSI Alumni Magazine; how our alumni worldwide are leading fulfilling lives that have a positive and lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of those around them. Our theme was initially sparked by the dynamism, creativity and illumination of the stained glass artwork, Floreat, which was gifted to RCSI by the Association of Medical and Dental Graduates. The title Floreat, is taken from the Association’s founding motto, “Floreat Sodalitas Ruat Res” and means to flourish, to bloom; this is what prompted us to explore the concept of what it means for our community to “flourish”.

Often described as a state of health, growth, success and abundance, human flourishing serves everyone’s interest. These descriptors closely align with RCSI’s strategic mission of innovating for a healthier future by laying sustainable foundations to develop and educate our students so that they may directly contribute to human and societal health. Parallels can also be found in RCSI’s commitment to the third UN Sustainable Development Goal that targets good health and wellbeing, for which RCSI has been ranked as the world’s leading university in the 2023 Times Higher Education impact rankings.

Positive individuals tend to have strong social connections, experience emotional benefits from doing good, and make life choices that increase their chances of reaching their full potential. We are acutely aware that so many within the RCSI community pursue and share these characteristics. And so, as the pages of this edition of the magazine began to unfurl in our minds, we were excited to share the many stories of personal growth that alumni presented to us.

The energy of our campus community is captured wonderfully in Caught on Campus (page 29), giving our readers a snapshot into the lives and activities of our current students outside of their academic studies. Meanwhile, in All Possible Scenarios (page 10), we venture to RCSI’s SIM Centre, uncovering how teaching and learning are rapidly evolving with the help of innovation, technology and creativity. The collaboration of the multidisciplinary simulation team, who combine technology with theatre to deliver outstanding teaching, showcases RCSI’s commitment to learning excellence.

A commitment of a different kind is evidenced in the expansion and growth of our student societies over the last decade. Affirming the goal of building an ecosystem where everyone can thrive, our alumni recount their experiences and describe this culture of collaboration and collegiality in Strength in Numbers (page 32).

In Officially Off Duty (page 4), we discover alumni who attribute their physical and mental wellbeing to pastimes that absorb them outside of the demands of their work as doctors and surgeons. Another prescription for happiness is human endeavour. We know that alumnus Dr Vincent Coyle’s (Medicine, 1962) championing of RCSI’s involvement in the Boston Marathon has become an important tradition, for students, alumni, faculty and staff. Many alumni share their tales of how the experience of competing in the Marathon enriched their lives in In The Long Run (page 36).

Human flourishing, the state of optimal functioning and wellbeing across all aspects of an individual’s life, is determined by intrinsic good health. In The Brains Behind It (page 16), we talk to alumni who defend the brain against physical and psychological onslaughts, and discover how their research, treatments and thinking leads to individuals living well.

Looking to the future, the foundations are being laid for RCSI to continue to strive to improve societal health. In this regard, the opening of our new building at 118 St Stephen’s Green next year will holistically benefit students, staff and the community that surrounds RCSI, as we intentionally connect with the public more through events, talks and other initiatives via the new MyHealth Gallery (working title). Subtly woven into the building’s design are outdoor amenity spaces – a courtyard garden on the north side and a rooftop terrace overlooking the Green – appreciating the impact of nature on our general wellbeing.

Flourishing communities are core to the mission of RCSI. We encourage our alumni to remain connected with us through reading our weekly eNews, attending events or indeed signing up to access the new RCSI Alumni Portal (www.rcsi.com/portal). We are proud to share the achievements of alumni across the university and our graduates all over the world, and we are grateful to our alumni who support RCSI philanthropically with steadfast loyalty. “Floreat Sodalitas Ruat Res” means to flourish, to bloom, and when used at the beginning of a sentence, it means ‘Long Live’, like a toast!

AÍNE GIBBONS DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS

ON OUR COVER: Illustrator John Devolle chose a view of RCSI at 123 St Stephen's Green from the park to highlight its important place in Dublin life, and reflected the scholarship, pastimes and passions of flourishing RCSI alumni all over the world.