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About Us
 

Our People

 

President and Council

Council is the governing body of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. It sets our mission, vision and strategic direction, and approves general policies. Council also ensures the accountability of RCPI by monitoring and supporting the implementation of policies, directives and general functions.

 

College Officers

Headshot of Dr Diarmuid O'Shea in his presidential gown. Dr O'Shea is President of RCPI

Dr Diarmuid O'Shea

President

Dr O’Shea became a Member of RCPI in 1988 and a Fellow in 1998. A graduate of University College Dublin, Ireland, he did his core training in Ireland and worked in Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee and the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospitals in Newcastle, United Kingdom, before returning to the post of Consultant Geriatrician at St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.   

He served as National Specialty Director in Geriatric Medicine from 2000 to 2004 and was elected to RCPI Council in 2007.  He established the successful RCPI Masterclass Series in 2007 and held the positions of Masterclass Series Convenor and Vice-President of Education and Professional Development from 2007 to 2014.  He was Registrar of RCPI from 2014 to 2020, playing a leading role in promoting the College’s work to improve patient care, the quality of medical practice and the health of the population.  He served as Chair of the Irish Committee of Higher Medical Training between 2017 and 2019, President of the Irish Gerontological Society from 2017 to 2020, Clinical Lead for the National Clinical Programme for Older People in the HSE from 2010 to 2019, and was the RCPI Clinical Lead for the Mandatory Teaching Review from 2021 to 2023. 

He was elected as the 143rd President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland in 2023 and took up his role at the RCPIs annual stated meeting on 18 October 2023.  

Contact: president@rcpi.ie

Dr Martin Hogan headshot

Dr Martin Hogan

Vice President, Censor and Elected Fellow

Dr Hogan is a full-time specialist in Occupational Medicine. He was previously the Dean of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine at RCPI and also served on the College Council. He was the President of the 2018 ICOH Congress in Dublin, the largest Occupational Health event in Ireland, and currently holds the position of Vice President of ICOH. 

Headshot of Professor Michael Keane, Registrar at RCPI

Professor Michael Keane

Registrar

Professor Michael Keane is Registrar of the College, and an elected Fellow on RCPI Council. Prof Keane is Professor of Medicine and Therapeutics at UCD and Consultant Respiratory Physician at St Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH). He graduated from UCD in 1989 and following initial clinical training in Dublin, moved to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor for a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine in 1995. He subsequently took up a faculty position at University of Michigan in 1998 and in 2000 moved to University of California, Los Angeles, where he was Professor of Medicine and Programme Director for the UCLA Interstitial Lung Disease Center.

Professor Keane returned to UCD and St Vincent's University Hospital in 2007 where he is an SFI Principal Investigator at the UCD Conway Institute and SVUH Lead Clinical Coordinator for Lung Cancer services. He is Lead Clinical Director, Chairman of the Medicine Division, Chair of the SVUH Medical Executive and a member of the hospital Board of Directors. He is Clinical Director of the UCD Clinical Research Centre and a member of the Molecular Medicine Ireland Board of Directors. His research interests centre on molecular investigation into, and treatment of, inflammatory lung diseases, particularly pulmonary fibrosis. 

Professor Mary Higgins

Professor Mary Higgins

Treasurer

Professor Mary Higgins is Treasurer of RCPI. Originally from Kildare, Prof Higgins graduated from University College Dublin in 2000 and completed her training in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Ireland, with membership of the RCPI and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (UK) in 2005.

She has master's degrees in Evidence Based Healthcare (University of Oxford), Clinical Education (University of Galway), a MD by research in Diabetes in Pregnancy and is completing a Masters in Patient Safety and Human Factors from RCSI.

She trained in Maternal Fetal Medicine in Toronto, Canada and returned to Ireland to her current post, as Associate Professor in University College Dublin and a consultant Obstetrician/Gynaecologist in the National Maternity Hospital.

As a Principal Investigator in UCD Perinatal Research Centre, she has more than 100 publications and supervises PhD, MD, MSc and undergraduate students. 

Prof. Higgins is Chair of the MRCPI Obstetrics and Gynecology Exam Board and a Fellow of RCPI. 

 

Elected Fellows on Council

Headshot of Professor Aine Carroll

Professor Aine Carroll

Censor and Elected Fellow

Professor Aine Carroll, Professor of Healthcare Integration and Improvement at University College Dublin and Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine at the NRH in Dublin, has dedicated her career to blending academic rigour with practical clinical expertise.

In her leadership roles, Professor Carroll has significantly influenced the field of integrated care. As Chair of the International Foundation for Integrated Care (IFIC), she has led initiatives to promote integrated care models both nationally and globally. Her previous role as National Director of the Clinical Strategy and Programmes Division in the HSE saw her spearheading systemic change through the establishment of Integrated Care Programmes.

Professor Carroll’s longstanding association with the RCPI highlights her dedication to advancing medical education and healthcare standards. Her contributions include serving as a member of the MRCP Part 1 Board (2023-current), an elected RCPI Council member (2015-2020), and the ICHMT Professional Competence Schemes (PCS) Representative for RCPI (2019-2020). She also served as National Specialty Director for Rehabilitation. Professor Carroll has been involved in several key committees, such as the Governance Oversight Group, the GDPR Professional Policy Group, and the Finance Audit and Risk Committee (FinARC).

Professor Cathy McHugh

Professor Cathy McHugh

Censor and Elected Fellow

Professor McHugh is a Consultant Endocrinologist at Sligo University Hospital. She served on the Board of the Institute of Medicine on the RCPI Council from 2017-2022. She is also part of the MRCPI Part II Examinations Board, and Convenor of the Clinical Examination in Sligo. Prof McHugh is also an External Examiner for MRCPI examinations abroad, and a Trainer for Examiners. 

Headshot of Dr Pamela O'Connor

Dr Pamela O’Connor

Censor and Elected Fellow

Dr Pamela O’Connor is a neonatologist at the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin. An NUIG graduate, she trained in paediatrics in Ireland, followed by fellowship training in perinatal and neonatal medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA, returning to a consultant post in 2003 at the Coombe and Crumlin hospitals. As director of neonatology in Crumlin hospital, she further developed services for the neonate with complex medical and surgical needs.

Dr O’Connor is FRCPI since 2004, and in 2019, she was elected as a Fellow representative on the board of the Faculty of Paediatrics. She is honoured to represent the specialty of paediatrics on the council of the RCPI. She is a director on the board of Helium Arts charity that supports children with chronic medical conditions. She is passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of the youngest and most vulnerable members of our society.

Professor Donal Reddan

Professor Donal Reddan

Elected Fellow

Professor Reddan served on Council for 10 years, from 2012 to 2022. He was Vice-President in 2014-2015 and Treasurer from 2017 to 2022. During his tenure, he served as the Education Committee's secretary and chaired the Finance Audit and Risk Committee.  

Headshot of Dr Jennifer Martin

Dr Jennifer Martin

Elected Fellow

Dr Jennifer Martin is a Senior Public Health Leader currently establishing and leading the new National Health Service Improvement Team within Public Health in Ireland. Her work focuses on reorienting the health and social care system to improve both population health and patient care, ensuring services are aligned with equity, evidence, and long-term impact.

Dr Martin has actively contributed to RCPI as a faculty trainer, interviewer, and by helping shape the reformed public health curriculum. She has also supported the development of post-CSCST fellowships to strengthen leadership pathways in public health. With a strong background in strategic and operational leadership grounded in the principles of Sláintecare, Dr Martin leads initiatives focused on quality improvement, regional capability, and evidence-based planning.

Professor Gaye Cunnane

Elected Fellow

Headshot of Dr Laura Durcan

Dr Laura Durcan

Elected Fellow

Dr Laura Durcan is a Rheumatologist, Physician and Associate Clinical Director at Beaumont Hospital, and she previously served as Vice-President of the IHCA. 

Dr Durcan is deeply committed to addressing the challenges faced by non-scheme doctors, many of whom are overseas professionals who play a crucial role in the Irish healthcare system but often struggle to receive proper recognition for their training. Additionally, she is eager to normalise, encourage and facilitate the pursuit of a balanced life for Trainees, helping them to manage both their professional and personal lives. She believes that improving working conditions for doctors in training is essential to ensure they continue to thrive as physicians.  

Headshot of Dr Michael Farrell

Dr Michael Farrell

Elected Fellow

Dr Michael Farrell is a Consultant Neuropathologist with over 40 years of experience in Ireland, having worked as a consultant since 1984. He graduated from RCSI in 1974 and became a Member of RCPI in 1977. After completing his pathology and neuropathology training in Ireland, London, and Canada, Dr Farrell became the first Professor of Clinical Neurological Sciences at RCSI in 1996 and later served as Dean of the Institute of Irish Clinical Neuroscience.

His primary research interests include epilepsy and neurodegeneration. Dr Farrell has received numerous honors, including the 2023 RCSI Alumni Inspiring Teacher Award, and is an active member of several international neuroscience societies. Committed to education, he is passionate about sharing his extensive knowledge with the next generation of medical professionals.

Headshot of Professor Keelin O’Donoghue

Professor Keelin O’Donoghue

Elected Fellow

Prof. Keelin O'Donoghue is a Consultant Obstetrician and Senior Lecturer at Cork University Maternity Hospital and University College Cork (UCC), where she became a Professor in 2020. A UCD medical graduate with a PhD from Imperial College London, she is a trained Subspecialist in Maternal-Fetal Medicine and a Fellow of both the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.

Prof. O'Donoghue leads the Pregnancy Loss Research Group at UCC, the only research group in Ireland focused on pregnancy loss and perinatal death. She has played a key role in developing National Standards for Bereavement Care in collaboration with the HSE’s National Women and Infants' Health Programme.

As Clinical Lead for Guideline Development in Maternity & Gynaecology and national specialty-training director for RCPI’s Obstetrics and Gynaecology scheme, Prof. O'Donoghue is deeply committed to advancing training, guidelines, and research in her field.

Headshot of Professor Rónán Collins

Professor Rónán Collins

Elected Fellow

Prof. Rónán Collins is a Consultant Physician in Geriatric and General Internal Medicine at Tallaght University Hospital, with a specialist interest in stroke and atrial fibrillation. He is also an Associate Professor of Gerontology at Trinity College Dublin. Prof. Collins has held leadership roles in both clinical practice and medical education, including serving as RCPI national clinical lead for stroke. He has been a member of the RCPI Council and Vice President, and is the lead author of the National Stroke Strategy (2022-2027).

He also contributes to national and international stroke research and clinical guidelines, serving as National PI on the TICH-3 stroke trial and Irish coordinator for the first Intercollegiate Clinical Stroke Guideline for the UK and Ireland.

Headshot of Professor Tim Lynch

Professor Tim Lynch

Elected Fellow

Prof. Tim Lynch is a Consultant Neurologist at the Mater Hospital since 1998. In 2008, he founded the Dublin Neurological Institute (DNI), a center of excellence in clinical neurology, where he serves as Clinical Director/CEO. His research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases and neurogenetics, supported by grants from organizations such as the EU, HRB, NIH, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

In 2019, he became Chief Academic Officer IEHG and Vice Principal for Health Affairs UCD, driving collaboration between healthcare and academia. Prof. Lynch is a passionate advocate for the Academic Health Science Centres (AHSC) model, which integrates teaching, research, and innovation into clinical care to improve patient outcomes.

 

Trainees' Committee Representatives

Dr Alessandra Biagini

Chair, Trainees’ Committee

Dr Alessandra Biagini is the Vice Chair of the Trainees’ Committee. 

Dr Biagini graduated in 2012 in Italy, from the Marche Polytechnic University (UNIVPM) where she also achieved her PhD in Biomedical Science focused on perinatal wellbeing. She founded a multiaward winning start up company based on her research projects and was clinical manager and co-member of a Biomedical academic spin-off of her university. In 2018 she moved to Ireland and started her training in Paediatrics with RCPI.

Alessandra is currently on her second year of Higher Specialist Training in Paediatric and in the past she has been one of the RCSI tutors in Neonatology. Following her Diploma in Health Professions Education (RCSI) she is currently completing her Masters degree in Health Professions Education (RCSI) studying the effectiveness of gamification within educational environments as didactic tool for medical students.

headshot of Dr Sarah Cavallari

Dr Sarah Cavallari

Vice Chair, Trainees' Committee

Dr Sarah Cavallari is a 2nd Year Paediatric Specialist Registrar at the Rotunda Hospital Dublin. A graduate of University College Cork in 2020, she has also earned an RCPI Diploma in Paediatrics, MRCPI in Paediatrics, and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Health Professions Education with UCC. Her research focuses on clinical communication experiences for paediatrics trainees. Dr Cavallari has held previous leadership roles, including serving as the HST Communication and Digital Projects Rep, and Paediatric Forum Rep on the RCPI Training Committee during 2023-2025. She was the Chairperson of the UCC Medical Society in 2018. Dr Cavallari is particularly interested in using her role to build engagement and communication between RCPI, trainees and the Trainees' Committee. 

 

Advisory Co-Optees

Mr Joe O’Shea

Mr Joe O’Shea

Lay Member on Council

Mr Joe O’Shea is a graduate of National University of Ireland, Galway and is a Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland. He was formerly a partner in PwC and was managing partner of the firm's Cork practice from 1995 until his retirement from the firm in 2012.

Joe is a part-time lecturer on a postgraduate business programme at University College, Cork and is a lecturer on the education programme for final year accountancy students at Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Joe is a Director of Mercy University Hospital, Cork. He is a former director and chairman of Bon Secours Health System and of Marymount University Hospital and Hospice. He is a former director of Bon Secours Mercy Health Inc, (USA). He is a director/advisor with a number of other private companies and organisations. 

Headshot of Jamie Olden

Mr Jamie Olden

Lay Member on Council

Jamie Olden is Managing Partner at RDJ, one of Ireland’s leading law firms, where he oversees strategy, operations, and growth. He chairs the firm’s Management Group, driving client development, talent acquisition, and innovation. 

Prior to his appointment as Managing Partner, Jamie led RDJ’s Dublin office, where he played a pivotal role in expanding the firm’s presence and engagement with key corporate and institutional clients. He has extensive experience in commercial and corporate litigation, representing clients before the Superior Courts in complex and high-value disputes. 

Jamie previously served as Interim Head of Legacy at the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (In Special Liquidation), where he oversaw significant litigation and regulatory investigations arising from the financial crisis. 

An Accredited Mediator, Jamie takes a collaborative approach to conflict resolution. He is a member of the Irish Tax Institute and serves on its Professional Affairs Committee.