The RCSI has announced Blackrock Health will be its lead partner for Ireland’s first public health gallery.
This gallery will be a cornerstone of the RCSI’s €95 million campus transformation project, located at 118 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin. Opening to the public in spring 2026, the new public health gallery will offer a diverse range of programmes, workshops and exhibitions aimed at enhancing public understanding of health sciences and medical research. “The gallery underscores the RCSI’s commitment to delivering on the third United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, to ensure healthy lives, and promote wellbeing for all ages,” according to a statement from the College.
“Located at the new building’s entrance, it will serve as a dynamic hub to foster meaningful dialogue on health and wellbeing, making medical knowledge accessible and engaging.”
Commitment
The RCSI said the gallery is an extension of the College’s commitment to public health education, building on the success of the RCSI MyHealth series, a flagship public engagement initiative launched over a decade ago.
“The series, which transitioned online during the Covid-19 pandemic, has played a crucial role in addressing public health concerns and empowering individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing,” the RCSI stated.
Prof Cathal Kelly, Vice-Chancellor, RCSI, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: “We are delighted to welcome Blackrock Health as the lead partner for our forthcoming public health gallery. This collaboration is a testament to our shared commitment to advancing health education and enhancing public health across Ireland. With the support of Blackrock Health, our academics, scientists, and clinicians will pioneer new forms of health-related public engagement, empowering individuals and communities to lead longer, healthier lives.”
Blackrock Health, combining Hermitage, Blackrock, Galway and Limerick Clinics, is a private hospital group with approximately 600 consultants across 50 medical specialties.
The gallery underscores the RCSI’s commitment to delivering on the third United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, to ensure healthy lives, and promote wellbeing for all ages
The group recently announced a major investment of €500 million to facilitate expansion across all three hospitals (Blackrock, Galway, and Hermitage Clinics), creat- ing up to 1,000 new jobs.
Dr Caroline Whelan, Chief Executive Officer, Blackrock Health, said: “We are proud to support the RCSI on this hugely important initiative. The healthcare landscape in Ireland is changing and it is more important than ever for education and engagement with the public to empower them to take ownership of their health and wellbeing.”
“At Blackrock Health, we bring decades of experience in delivering patient care and medical excellence, and this partnership reflects our commitment to promoting conversations about how to improve health outcomes in Ireland.”
Pictured L-to-R signing the agreement are: Prof Cathal Kelly, Vice-Chancellor, RCSI; Ms Aíne Gibbons, Director of Development, Alumni Relations, Fellows, and Members, RCSI; Dr Caroline Whelan, CEO, Blackrock Health; Ms Margaret O’Donnell, Group Clinical Director, Blackrock Health; Prof Deborah McNamara, President, RCSI; Prof Fergal O’Brien, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, RCSI; and Mr Peter Reynolds, Group Chief Financial Officer, Blackrock Health
Pictured L-to-R on the roof of the new 118 St Stephen’s Green building: Prof Cathal Kelly; Prof Deborah McNamara; Ms Margaret O’Donnell; and Dr Caroline Whelan
Prof Oran Kennedy, Associate Professor in Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine, RCSI; Prof Laura Viani, Council member and immediate past-President, RCSI; Mr Justin Ralph, Chief Technology Officer, RCSI; and Prof Steve Kerrigan, Deputy Head (Research), RCSI School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
Pictured at the announcement event are Ms Cecilia McGrath, CEO, Blackrock Health Galway Clinic; and Prof Judith Strawbridge, Deputy Head (Education), RCSI School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
Ms Michelle Kirrane Scott, Academic Lead for Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in Education at the RCSI pictured with RCSI PPI contributors Ms Willow Carroll and Ms Tracy Carroll
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.