Colles Q&A

e Colles Q&A Professor Carmel Malone

CONSULTANT GENERAL AND BREAST SURGEON, PROFESSOR CARMEL MALONE HAS ALWAYS DEMONSTRATED STRONG LEADERSHIP

Professor Carmel Malone, FRCSI (2005)

A graduate of UCD in 1995, Professor Malone was appointed Consultant Academic General and Breast Surgeon in Galway University Hospitals and University of Galway in 2006 and was appointed Head of School of Medicine in 2016. During her veyear term she led the modernisation of the undergraduate curriculum focusing on preparedness for practice and development of improved infrastructure including a high delity simulation centre in on the University Hospital Galway site. From 2019-2021, Professor Malone chaired the Irish Medical Schools Council, working with Ireland’s medical schools and healthcare partners during the COVID crisis to ensure continuity of training for undergraduate students. She led the School of Medicine to an Athena Swan Bronze Award in 2018; previously the School had the lowest level of female leadership in the British Isles. e University of Galway was the rst school of medicine in Ireland to achieve this award. In her clinical and academic practice, Professor Malone has a particular interest in breast cancer molecular oncology and breast reconstructive techniques. She has published widely in these areas and her current research interest explores the use of CAR-T cells in breast cancer patients. Professor Malone is past president of the Society of Irish Breast Surgeons (2015-2018) and remains a consultant trainer and member of the RCSI General Surgery postgraduate training committee as well as providing preceptorship in reconstructive techniques to consultant colleagues.

When and where are you

happiest? With family, around the table, lots of conversation, banter and laughter.

What is your ideal evening?

Friday evening pizza with my children in Dough Bros, sitting on benches, chatting about our week.

If you could research and write a book on any subject, what

would it be? A travelogue. Driving the Pan American highway, from Colombia to Ushuaia, Argentina. I’ve never visited South America and it’s de nitely one for the bucket list. However, I think the reality would be far less intrepid – more Francis Brennan than Jack Kerouac – as road trips go.

What relaxes you most?

Running, or more speci cally, nishing a long run.

What is your greatest fear?

Small planes. I don’t want to y in anything where I can see the pilot. Many years ago I travelled to Honduras with my colleague Professor Ray McLaughlin, FRCSI (1988) and the Irish army on a medical relief mission. I can still hear the pilot beeping the horn of the plane to move the goats from the improvised runway. When we landed, we saw an identical small plane crashed in a trench nearby. I only take the ferry now when visiting the Aran Islands.

When did you decide you wanted to become a surgeon?

A surgical research project as a medical student in the Mater led to

an elective in Johns Hopkins with John Cameron and that set me on the road to a career in academic surgery, assisted by a number of wonderful mentors along the way.

Would you have any advice

for your younger self? Take your time. e fastest route to a consultant post is not the goal. I see it as a very positive development that young doctors take opportunities throughout (and sometimes outside) their training to broaden their experience both in medicine and life. It’s important to remember too that a consultant post is really only the start of your career and there are many more potential roles ahead. How do you have fun? I’m not sure if fun is the correct term but I started running about ten years ago and last week nished my 21st marathon. I’ve run all the World Major series as well as marathons in Madrid, Paris and Amsterdam. Marathons are a great way to see a city but nothing beats the support in Dublin. e excitement and camaraderie at the start line is only eclipsed by the relief and sense of achievement at the nish line. It’s almost enough to make you forget miles 22 to 24.

Where would you be if you decided not to become a

surgeon? I initially applied to study Fine Art in NCAD. Sadly, I lack even a modicum of the necessary creativity to become the next Mary Swanzy or Eileen Gray, but reconstructive surgery provides a far better outlet for any artistic ambitions I harboured.

In what way do surgeons struggle/what issues do

surgeons today face? Trying to deliver ever-increasing expectations with ever-decreasing resources.

Who have you learned the

most from in your life? Personal My parents and their unwavering devotion to their family. Professional I have been fortunate to have a number of excellent mentors during my training. Professor David George’s empathy and understanding when communicating with patients is something I try to replicate daily, and observing Mrs Eva Weiler-Mitho ’s technical mastery and careful patient selection has taught me invaluable lessons in my own reconstructive practice.

How does a surgeon in 2022

cope with pressure? It is critical for all surgeons to have the con dence and competence that a high-quality training programme delivers. Supportive colleagues, not just fellow surgeons but across multiple disciplines, and e ective teamworking allow us deliver the results our patients deserve.

What is the best thing about the system of training young

doctors in Ireland? ere is a deep-rooted ethos of teaching embedded across all areas of clinical practice in this country. As Head of School of Medicine in University of Galway, it was humbling to see the commitment of busy full-time clinicians teaching both medical students and trainees.

What is your greatest

extravagance? Fancy running shoes. e delusional hope that some new carbon plate technology will overcome my very limited athletic ability and make me run like Kipchoge!

Do you have a mantra to live

by? Surgical practice teaches us that even the most complex and daunting challenges can be broken down into a series of small steps, you just have to make a start.

What do you consider your

greatest achievement? My two children, I’m enormously proud of them.

In your profession, a historical

fi gure you admire? Revered in Johns Hopkins, it would be hard to identify any individual who has contributed more to surgical practice than William Halsted. From local “Surgical practice teaches us that even the most complex and daunting challenges can be broken down into a series of small steps, you just have to make a start.”

Duciptil iciamquem n

Professor Carmel Malone Oscar Wilde

anaesthesia, concepts of cancer spread and most importantly the introduction of surgical residency training, Halsted le a substantial legacy across research, training and technical practice despite battling his own personal demons along the way.

What is your favourite

memory? My mother died last year a er a long illness and some of my strongest memories are of hours spent with her window-shopping and chatting whilst my father waited patiently for us. It reminds me that the greatest gi you can give, especially to your children, is time.

Name your favourite writer(s).

Hilary Mantel, Haruki Murakami, any historical biography.

If you could invite any historical fi gure to dinner, who would it

be? Oscar Wilde. Who doesn’t want to be entertained over dinner?

Which talent would you most

like to have? I wish I were a

Haruki Murakami

polyglot. Italian, Spanish, Chinese top the list if I ever nd the time.

What is the wisest thing you

have ever said? “Can I ask your advice…?”

Name one virtue all surgeons

ought to have. Compassion.

Name one vice no surgeon

should have. Apathy. ■