RCPI’s Irish Clinician Educator Training programme marks milestone with first graduates
The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) has reached a significant milestone with the graduation of the first trainees from its Irish Clinician Educator Training (ICET) programme.
Dr Karen Dennehy and Dr Clare Kennedy, who joined the ICET pilot in July 2023, will officially graduate next month after successfully completing the two-year national training programme. Throughout the programme, they received expert guidance and mentorship from their supervisors, Professor John Cooke and Professor Mary Higgins.
The graduation of the first trainees marks a dual milestone for the programme, coinciding with the conclusion of its pilot phase and its transition into a fully established training pathway within RCPI.
The success continues with the second cohort of trainees, who joined the ICET pilot in July 2024. Dr Jeffrey Harte, Dr Cillian Hurst, Dr Nick Power, and Dr Anne-Marie Sweeney have successfully completed Year 1 and will progress to Year 2 of the programme in July 2025. They are currently being guided and supported by their supervisors Dr Maeve Doyle, Dr Eleanor Dunican, Dr George Pope, and Dr Muirne Spooner.
A new ICET post will begin in July 2025 under the supervision of Dr David Crosby, in partnership with University College Dublin. This post will be filled by incoming ICET trainee, Dr Roisin McConnell.
Two additional ICET posts have been provisionally approved for July 2026, with applications set to open in September 2025.
About ICET
ICET is a two-year national training programme designed to support Specialist Registrars in developing expertise in postgraduate clinical education. It is undertaken as Out of Clinical Programme Experience (OCPE). The programme is led by Professor Edward McKone and Professor Margaret O’Connor, whose vision and leadership brought it to life. Special thanks also go to adjunct faculty member Dr Natasha Slattery for her valuable contributions during the 2024/2025 training year.
To learn more about the programme and upcoming opportunities, visit our new ICET page.