Royal College of Physicians of Ireland awards prestigious Stearne Medal to Mary Robinson for outstanding contribution to Global Health and Humanitarianism
The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland is proud to announce that Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, member of the Elders, and a globally renowned advocate for human rights and climate justice, has been awarded the prestigious Stearne Medal 2025.
The medal, named after RCPI’s founding president, John Stearne, recognises Mrs Robinson’s unparalleled contribution to global health, wellbeing, and humanitarianism throughout her career. The Stearne Medal was presented at a special ceremony at No. 6 Kildare Street on Friday, 5 September 2025.
During her early career as a distinguished constitutional lawyer, Mary Robinson stood out as a champion for human rights. She was elected to the Royal Irish Academy and was a member of the International Commission of Jurists in Geneva.
As Ireland’s first female President (1990–1997), her commitment to inclusivity and progressive values transformed the state role. Her presidency was marked by a deep commitment to social reform, equality, and international engagement.
Following her presidency, Mrs Robinson served as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997–2002), where she tackled global injustices and expanded the reach of human rights protections to marginalised communities worldwide. She later founded Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative, promoting fair labour, health equity, and women's empowerment across the globe.
Through the Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice, she advocated for the health and wellbeing of communities most affected by environmental degradation, emphasising the disproportionate impact on women and the Global South.
As a member of The Elders, a group of global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela, Robinson has worked to promote peace, health equity, and sustainable development. Her efforts have included diplomatic missions to conflict zones, support for food security initiatives, and tireless advocacy for multilateral cooperation in addressing global health crises. Most recently she has condemned the ongoing war in Gaza as ‘unconscionable’.
Mary Robinson's contributions to global health and humanitarianism have been widely recognised by the college throughout her career. In 1992, during her presidency, she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. Her achievements were further acknowledged in 2006, when the Faculty of Public Health Medicine at RCPI awarded her a medal for ‘outstanding service to public health.’ These honours reflect her enduring dedication to the wellbeing of individuals and communities across the globe.
President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Dr Diarmuid O’Shea, paid tribute to Robinson’s enduring legacy: “Mary Robinson’s career has been defined by courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Her leadership has shaped international policy, reframed climate change as a human rights issue, and brought dignity and hope to millions. She exemplifies the values of the Stearne Medal and continues to inspire generations of healthcare professionals and humanitarian leaders.”
Mary Robinson becomes the ninth recipient of the Stearne Medal, named after the Founding President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, John Stearne. The medal acknowledges persons of distinction who have made a significant contribution to medicine in Ireland.
Previous recipients include Lady Valerie Goulding (1979), Princess Margriet of the Netherlands (1992), Dr Catherine Molloy (2005), Mr Albert Reynolds (2006), Dr Stanley Roberts (2007), Prof T J McKenna (2014), Petr Skrabanek (2018), and Dr Anthony Fauci (2024).