Meet the new Dean and Director of Education and Training of the Institute of Medicine
21 June 2024 marked a significant milestone for the Institute of Medicine as the Foundation Dean, Professor Anthony O’Regan, officially handed over the Chain of Office to the second ever Dean of the Institute, Professor Edward McKone.
Professor McKone is a Consultant Respiratory Physician at St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin and a Clinical Professor at University College Dublin. He has clinical and research interests in the areas of cystic fibrosis, medical education, epidemiology and clinical trials. Professor McKone was co-National Specialty Director (NSD) in Respiratory Medicine from 2015 to 2019 and Director of Education and Training at the Institute of Medicine from 2019 to 2024. He is Co-Director of the Irish Clinician Educator Track (ICET).
On taking up the role of Dean, Professor McKone said: “I am delighted to take over as Dean of the RCPI Institute of Medicine and thank Prof O’Regan for all his work as Foundation Dean. This is a very exciting time for the Institute of Medicine which is the largest training body in the country and continues to increase in size. With 19 training programmes, over 1,500 Trainees and 900 accredited Trainers, I look forward to ensuring the continued delivery of excellent high-quality training countrywide as well as topical, innovative symposia, webinars and case-based educational resources for all our Members and Fellows.”
Also in June, a new Director of Education and Training was appointed for the Institute of Medicine, Dr Emer Kelly. Dr Kelly is a Consultant in Respiratory Medicine at St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin. Dr Kelly has a clinical and research interest in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). She has a keen interest in medical education and has research interests in feedback in medical education and technology enhanced learning. She served as the Clinical Lead for Digital Strategy and Innovation in the College, and was an elected Fellow on RCPI Council and the Co-NSD for Respiratory Medicine from 2022 to 2024.
"I am excited to take on this role in the Institute of Medicine. It has been an honour to be a Trainer to many Basic Specialist Training and Higher Specialist Training Trainees in General Internal Medicine and Respiratory over the years. I look forward to further developing training infrastructure and keeping our high standards whilst supporting Trainees to reach their full potential through the Institute of Medicine." - Dr Emer Kelly said.
We wish both Prof McKone and Dr Kelly the very best for their tenures.