The RCPI has announced the appointment of Dr Diarmuid O’Shea as President-Designate.
Dr O’Shea, a Consultant Physician in Geriatric Medicine, will take up the office of RCPI President in October 2023, succeeding Prof Mary Horgan in the role.
Dr O’Shea became a member of RCPI in 1988 and a Fellow in 1998.
He served as National Specialty Director in Geriatric Medicine from 2000 to 2004 and was elected to the RCPI Council in 2007. He established the successful RCPI masterclass series in 2007 and has held the positions of Masterclass Series Convenor and Vice-President of Education and Professional Development. He was Registrar of RCPI from 2014 to 2020, playing a leading role in promoting the College’s work to improve patient care, the quality of medical practice and the health of the population.
Dr O’Shea is the current RCPI Clinical Lead for the mandatory teaching review. Dr O’Shea was also Chair of the Irish committee of higher medical training between 2017 and 2019, President of the Irish Gerontological Society from 2017 to 2020, and Clinical Lead for the National Clinical Programme for Older People in the HSE from 2010 to 2019.
Commenting on his appointment, Dr O’Shea said: “It is an honour to be entrusted with the role of President of our distinguished College. As doctors, we care for, and influence, the health outcomesof the people we meet during their most challenging times. As a community of doctors, working together with national bodies, we have a pivotal role to play in making a difference to the health and wellbeing of the people we meet every day, and a responsibility to influence positive change within our healthcare system.
“I am grateful for the support and encouragement I have received from my family, friends, colleagues and the many Members and Fellows of the College in Ireland and around the world, and I look forward to building on the progress we are making in RCPI.”
He added: “On behalf of our members and fellows I would like to thank Professor Horgan for her dedicated, inspiring and committed leadership, in particular during the COVID pandemic and I look forward to working closely and supporting her for the duration of her term.”
Prof Horgan congratulated Dr O’Shea on his appointment.
“Dr O’Shea is a highly respected clinician and leader in the field of geriatric medicine, and his appointment as President-Designate is a testament to his commitment to medical training and advancing healthcare in Ireland,” Prof Horgan said.
“I look forward to working with him over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.”
Dr O’Shea, who was the sole candidate, will take up the office of President of RCPI on Wednesday 18 October.
Meanwhile, Ms Audrey Houlihan is due to commence her position as the new Chief Executive Officer next month.
Voting in RCPI Council Elections will open on 17 May for three Ordinary Councillors (Medicine) and one Ordinary Councillor (Occupational Medicine). Voting is open to all Fellows of the College in good standing. Details of nominated candidates and the voting process are available on the RCPI website.
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