On 9 October 2026 the dean of RCPI Faculty of Paediatrics, Dr Judith Meehan, officially handed over the Chain of Office to the new dean, Prof Michael O’Neill.
Prof O’Neill graduated from University College Cork and undertook his paediatric training both in Ireland and Canada. Prior to his return to Ireland in 1996 to work as a Consultant Paediatrician at Mayo University Hospital, he was an Associate Professor of Paediatrics at McMaster University, and Head of the Division of General Paediatrics in Hamilton.
“I am honoured to be dean of the Faculty of Paediatrics in this time of healthcare-change,” said Prof O’Neill, regarding his appointment. “I look forward to supporting and strengthening paediatric education and training, while enhancing our role in child health advocacy.”
Prof O’Neill was the first National Specialty Director of RCPI's Higher Specialist Training in Paediatrics programme, from 1999 to 2007. He served as Associate Dean for RCPI's Basic Specialist Training in Paediatrics programme from 2009 to 2022.
He also served as Director of RCPI's International Residency Training Programme in Paediatrics from its inception in 2017 to 2024. He was appointed Director of Training and Education for RCPI Faculty of Paediatrics from November 2022 to 2026.
In 2017, Prof O’Neill was awarded an Honorary Personal Professorship in the School of Medicine at NUI Galway.
He is co-author of a Paediatric textbook Diagnosing and Treating Common Problems in Paediatrics: An evidence-based approach, published in 2014.
In 2026, he completed a Master's in Human Factors in Patient Safety at RCSI, and, through the Physician Coaching Institute (PCI) in Seattle, USA, became a Certified Physician Developmental Coach.
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