About Us

The UCD School of Medicine, founded in 1854, is one of Ireland’s leading medical schools. At undergraduate level, we offer programmes in medicine, radiography and Biomedical Health & Life Sciences (BHLS) and at graduate level, we offer up to 40 programmes for healthcare professionals including hospital doctors, GPs, radiographers, forensic scientists and mental health professionals and for managers and administrators working in healthcare settings. 

All of our undergraduate and graduate programmes are delivered by specialist staff across an extensive network of academic and clinical locations. Our student populational also comprises more than 60 nationalities, and international students now account for one-third of the total undergraduate student cohort. This diversity is one of the defining features of life at UCD, and one that enriches the student experience by delivering a truly international campus. 

Mission, Vision & Values

Our Mission

To build a community of healthcare professionals and scientists that improves health outcomes through excellence in education, research, and patient care.

Our Vision

Health and well-being in Ireland and around the world.

Our Values

Reflecting the University’s values, the School prioritises excellence, integrity, collegiality, engagement and diversity. In addition, the School commits itself to public service, clinical leadership and collaboration with its healthcare partners.

Our philosophy is:

• Grounded on understanding and critical evaluation of the evidence base that underpins the ‘science of medicine’.
• Demonstrated by the professional behaviours of our staff and students in the ‘art of clinical practice’.
• Exemplified by honest, competent and reflective practise that puts the needs of the patient first.
• Maintained through a commitment to the core principles of informed consent, evidence-based decision-making and scientific integrity.

UCD School of Medicine Strategic Plan 2021 – 2025; Tomorrow’s Medicine

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Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We recognise the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion among our students and our staff to drive optimum School performance through the active engagement of all.  We will lead and work with University initiatives that support, promote and demonstrate a culture of inclusivity and diversity.  We welcome a difference of opinion, encourage respectful interactions between colleagues and seek diverse access to our programmes including from under-represented groups.

Our Academic Objectives

1. To deliver ambitious educational programmes that both inspire and prepare our graduate for excellence in practice and for leadership roles in tomorrow’s healthcare.
2. To conduct high quality translational and clinical research in areas of national significance and global importance.
3. To innovate in teaching and assessment, undertaking comprehensive education research to improve our programmes and inform national policy.
4. To attract and retain staff who are driven by the pursuit of excellence in academic and clinical practice and provide them with career progression opportunities.
5. To attract a diverse cohort of students and to offer elective opportunities around the world so that our graduates emerge competitive for careers in healthcare leadership roles and understand global perspectives.
6. To create graduates with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for professional practice.
7. To build an enduring sense of community among our students, staff and alumni.
8. To support our education and research endeavours on campus by strengthening School infrastructure across our clinical training networks.
9. To maintain a strong effective organisation with resource allocation that is consistent with our School’s strategic priorities.
10. To question continuously our assumptions and collect appropriate key performance data that supports informed decision-making and organisational development.

Meet the Dean

Professor Michael Keane was appointed Dean of Medicine and Head of School effective 1st September 2018.

Prof Keane is a consultant respiratory physician and is currently UCD Professor of Medicine and Therapeutics at St Vincent’s University Hospital where he has been Clinical Director and acting Chief Executive Officer.

Prof Keane graduated from UCD School of Medicine in 1989 and following his initial clinical training in Dublin, moved to the university of Michigan, Ann Arbor where he undertook a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine in 1995. He subsequently took up a faculty position at the University of Michigan in 1998 and in 2000 moved to the University of California, Los Angeles where he was Professor of Medicine and Programme Director for the UCLA Interstitial Lung Disease Center.

Professor Keane returned to UCD and St Vincent’s University Hospital in 2007 when he was appointed Professor of Medicine and Therapeutics and consultant respiratory physician. He established a Science Foundation Ireland-funded research group at the UCD Conway Institute and became Lead Clinical Coordinator for Lung Cancer Services within the St Vincent’s Healthcare Group.

His research interests include the biology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis including the mechanisms and mediators involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. Current research studies include the function and regulation of the IL-13 receptors, regulation of fibrocytes differentiation and the potential of mesenchymal cells to attenuate fibrosis. His research group has a particular interest in animal models of fibrosis.

Professor Keane has over 130 peer-review publications and has presented extensively at international conferences. He has been Associate Editor of the Journal of Immunology and on the Editorial Board of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, He is a member of the American Thoracic Society, the American College of Chest Physicians, the American Association of Immunology, Society of Critical Care Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians.

At St Vincent’s University Hospital, Professor Keane has been a member of the Hospital’s Medical Executive which he has also chaired and has been Lead Clinical Director for a number of years. He has been acting Chief Executive Officer from 2015 - 2018. He is a founding member and director of Dublin Academic Medical Centre and has played a lead role in the establishment of the Ireland East Hospital Group.

Contact

Ciara O'Hanlon

PA to Head of School

UCD School of Medicine

Room C110, UCD Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4

+353 1 716 6653

head.medicine@ucd.ie