2017 UCD Medicine Alumni Reunion
The 2017 UCD Medicine Alumni Reunion took place on Friday 12th May 2017 at the UCD Health Sciences Centre, Belfield followed by a Gala Diner later in the evening at the Conrad Hotel, Earlsfort Terrace. We were delighted to welcome back over 200 alumni from the UCD Medicine graduating classes of 1947, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1977, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2007 and 2016.
The Alumni celebrations included a series of presentations from representatives of each class followed by tours of the UCD Health Science Centre and UCD Charles Institute. The programme was opened by Dean and Head of School, Prof Patrick Murray (UCD Medicine 1988) with presentations by representatives from the returning class including an impactful keynote address given by Dr Patricia Scanlan (UCD Medicine 1997). In his introduction, Prof Murray acknowledged how the School’s reputation is forged by the successful careers and leadership of our graduates across the globe. He paid tribute to the strong tradition of mentorship and support which preceding classes offer to our current students and highlighted current international clinical and research electives. Prof Murray invited our alumni who could provide access to additional elective opportunities to make contact with the School.
Speakers included:
| Speaker | Class | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Prof Patrick Murray | - | Introduction and Welcome |
| Dr Alvin Young | 1992 | The Development of Ophthalmology in Hong Kong and Beyond |
| Dr Neil Dilworth | 2007 | High Profile Cases in Sports & Exercise Medicine |
| Prof Conor Ward | 1947 | Crampton Cardiac Abnormality : Tetralogy of Fallot with Right Ventricular Diverticulum |
| Dr Alex Singer | 2007 | How Electronic Health Records can be used to understand and improve the care we provide |
| Dr Patricia Scanlan | 1997 | Paediatric Cancer Care in the Third World |
As part of our graduate mentoring initiative, we were pleased to also welcome the graduates from the Class of 2016, who will shortly complete their pre-registration internship year. We hope that their attendance at the 2017 Alumni Reunion will allow them to establish professional connections with those from prior years.
Left to Right: Dr Brian Murray, Dr Paraic Murray, Dr Cathal Murray, Prof Patrick Murray and Mrs Helen Murray.
This year’s event was particularly noteworthy for Prof Murray and his family as the returning classes included his father, Paraic (UCD Medicine 1962), his Uncle, Cathal (UCD Medicine 1962) and his brother Brian (UCD Medicine 1992).
The evenings event concluded with a Gala Dinner in the Conrad Hotel, Earlsfort Terrace led by Dr Declan O’Callaghan, President of the UCD Medical Graduates Association and we were delighted to also welcome Dr John Fitzgerald, President of the UCD North American Medical Graduates Association. The Medical Graduates Association Distinguished Graduate Award was presented to Dato Dr Leslie Lam (UCD Class of 1967) following a warm citation by classmate Dr Niall Keaney.
Citation for Dato Dr Leslie Lam by Dr Niall Keaney
Citation for Dato Dr Leslie Lam, UCD MGA Distinguished Graduate 2017 by Dr Niall Keaney
Attendees also took the opportunity to participate in tours of the UCD Health Sciences Centre which has been home to the Medical School since 2006 and the UCD Charles Institute of Dermatology. Many of those present were delighted to see again the historic Kevin Barry Memorial Window by Richard King of Harry Clarke Stained Glass Studio. This artwork was commission by classmates of Irish rebel Kevin Barry, a first year UCD medical student who was executed at the age of 18 for his part in the War of Independence. First unveiled in 1934 by President of Ireland, Eamonn de Valera in the School’s original Earlsfort Terrace home, the window was relocated in 2011 to UCD Belfield.
About the Speakers
Dr Alvin Young (Class of 1992)
Chief of Service, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Prince of Wales and Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospitals and Cluster Coordinator (Ophthalmology), New Territories East Cluster.
Dr Neil Dilworth (Class of 2007)
Dr Dilworth is an Emergency, Sports & Exercise Medicine Physician as well has holding a post as a Lecturer at University of Toronto. He is the Director of UofT Sports Medicine Journal Club and Lecture series. Dr Dilworth is the Team Physician for the Toronto Football Club II and Editor of www.sportmedschool.com a free online medical education resource.
Professor Conor Ward (Class of 1947)
Professor Ward was Professor of Paediatrics in UCD from 1972 to1988. He has continued as Professor Emeritus. He is an eponymous paediatric cardiologist (Ward- Romano Syndrome). In 2016 he was awarded a PhD in Medical History. His thesis was on the life and work of John Langdon Down. He is Patron of Down Syndrome International and of the UK Museum of Learning Disability. In 2016 he was awarded a Doctorate in Science (Hon. causa) by UCD
Dr Alex Singer (Class of 2007)
Associate Professor at the University of Manitoba, Network Director of the Manitoba Primary Care Research Network, Manitoba eHealth Family Physician Champion and Family Physician at the Family Medical Centre and St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg Manitoba.
Dr Patricia Scanlan (Class of 1997)
Dr Trish Scanlan is a paediatric oncologist who has been working in Dar es Salaam since August 2007. In close collaboration with her many Tanzanian colleagues in the Tanzanian MoH, Ocean Road Cancer Institute and Muhimbili National Hospital.