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33 Fellows welcomed during RCPI’s Annual Conference
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33 Fellows welcomed during RCPI’s Annual Conference

The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) celebrated the conferring of 33 new Fellows from Pakistan, India, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and Ireland at a special admission ceremony during the Annual Conference on Wednesday, 16 October 2024.

Dr Diarmuid O’Shea, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, acknowledged the significant contribution of the doctors in the room who have worked in earnest to earn the postnominal FRCPI.

“Your career in medicine is one that requires continual growth, reflection and a deep commitment to your patients and the field of medicine.  Stay positive for yourself, curious about health and healthcare delivery and focused on your patients.  Work collaboratively and collegially.  Be open to change and inspire others.  Imagine aspects of healthcare training and health care delivery you want to improve, reform or simply do better, and help us lead the changes required.”

The college also welcomed two esteemed Honorary Fellows, Cathleen Dalton Biga, President of the American College of Cardiology, and Professor David Burn, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Faculty of Medical Science at Newcastle University.

Ms Cathleen Biga is a proud member of the Irish American diaspora. She spent 15 years in a critical care unit as a nurse and she is also a former cardiovascular service line leader, hospital president, and Chief Executive Officer. She has focused on uniting all constituencies of the healthcare enterprise in promoting patient access, optimizing outcomes and experience, maximizing the value of team-based care, and ensuring the professionalism and well-being of the entire medical team.

Her 41-year experience in health care delivery, innovation, quality, and economic sustainability brings fresh perspectives in her current role as President of the 56,000 member American College of Cardiology.

Ms Biga is a leader who exemplifies the critical and expanding role of team-based care and who has already received global recognition for her leadership and how working together we can transform cardiovascular care and improve heart health for all.

Professor David Burn is Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Medical Sciences in Newcastle University and Professor of Movement Disorders Neurology and Honorary Consultant Neurologist for Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS;  He is also Director Of Newcastle Health Innovation partners, the Academic Health Sciences Centre for Northeast of England & North Cumbria; Chair, Board of Northern Health Sciences Alliance; Director of Newcastle Health Innovation Partners NIHR/NHS-E Academic Health Science Centre and Emeritus NIHR Senior Investigator. He is a past President of the Association of British Neurologists 2019-2021 and Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

He is a careful, thoughtful and outstanding clinician. He is a brilliant clinical scientist and innovator with a deserved national and international reputation in Movement Disorders, and neurodegenerative disease including Parkinson’s disease, and Lewy body dementia. He has published over three hundred peer-reviewed papers, thirty chapters/books in Neurology.

In recognition of his global standing, he is the incoming President of the MDS, the largest movement disorder organization globally in education, training, and research.

 

Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (FRCPI) is the most prestigious category of membership. Achieving FRCPI is an internationally recognised benchmark of professional excellence.

Find out more about Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.