Bryan Alton was born in Dublin in 1919. He studied medicine at University College Dublin, graduating in 1943. Early in his career he was interested in cardiology, learning the technique of right heart catheterisation at the Karolinska Institute. He performed the first one in Ireland, at the Mater Hospital, and played a significant initial role in establishing the Mater as a cardiac centre. However, his main clinical interest was gastroenterology.
He was a founding member of the Irish Society of Gastroenterology in 1964, and third President of the Society in 1967. His undergraduate lectures at UCD in gastrointestinal physiology were lucid, clear and well-illustrated, and were amongst the best of the pre-clinical curriculum. Bryan Alton chose not to pursue an academic career track, instead devoting his energies to clinical practice and medical administration. He was Chairman of the Irish Committee on Higher Medical Training (the forerunner of the Institute of Medicine), the Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education Board and the central council of the IMA. He advised the government on the future of the hospital system in Ireland and was elected Senator representing the National University of Ireland constituency in 1965.
As President of RCPI (1974-77) he oversaw the founding of the Faculties and Institutes within the College.
The Bryan Alton Medal is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to clinical and academic medicine.
The recipient is selected by the Dean and the Institute of Medicine Officers. The award is presented annually, and the recipient is invited to receive the medal during the November event at No. 6 Kildare Street.