Dr Diarmuid O’Shea elected President Designate of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) is pleased to announce 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 on 18 October 2023, succeeding Professor Mary Horgan.
As President Designate, Dr O’Shea will support RCPI President Professor Mary Horgan in leading the College in its mission to support Learners, Trainees, Members and Fellows to be leaders in healthcare delivery and transformation through training, education, and advocacy. Dr O’Shea will continue to collaborate with RCPI’s Faculties and Institutes, Council, Members, Fellows and staff of the College to grow and enhance our globally connected community of over 11,000 doctors committed to improving people’s health.
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 outcomes of 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-19 pandemic and I look forward to working closely with her and supporting her for the duration of her term.”
Professor Mary Horgan, RCPI President, 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. I look forward to working with him over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.”
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.
Dr O’Shea will take up the office of President of RCPI at the College’s Annual Stated Meeting on Wednesday 18 October 2023.
RCPI Elections 2023
The role of President Designate was open for nominations as part of the RCPI Elections 2023. Dr O’Shea was the sole nominee for the role and was deemed elected.
The elections will also see 4 Fellows elected to RCPI Council. Voting for the Councillor roles opens on 17 May 2023. You can find more information about the nominees and how to cast your vote here.