237 new doctors from 22 countries will graduate today and join global, connected world of UCD School of Medicine graduates

New doctors urged to always see their working world through the eyes of their patient

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(Issue Thurs 3rd June @ 0900 hrs) The UCD School of Medicine is delighted to confer 237 graduates today with undergraduate Bachelor of Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics degrees. 22 nationalities will be represented amongst those graduating, including 67 international students. In line with national and university COVID-19 related restrictions, the ceremony, an age honoured tradition in the School, since it was founded in 1854, is taking place again as a virtual event this year.

Opening the Conferring Ceremony, Professor Michael Keane, Dean and Head of School of Medicine, UCD and Consultant Respiratory Physician, St Vincent’s University Hospital said ‘At UCD School of Medicine, we have been training the best and the brightest for more than 150 years. Our curriculum is intensive, internationally recognised and delivered by leading scientists and clinical educators. So, from your first day in the dissection lab to the start of your clinical training and early patient contact to your graduation today, we hope you have enjoyed the experience. Most importantly we hope you have learned to see the world through the eyes of your patient as you care for them and advocate on their behalf.’

“On behalf of all of my colleagues in the School, especially Faculty, I send my warm congratulations to each one of you as we acknowledge and celebrate your academic achievements and clinical training” continued Prof Keane.

Also addressing the graduates, Prof Mary Horgan, UCD Medicine Graduate 1986, Consultant in Infectious Diseases, Cork University Hospital, former UCC School of Medicine Dean, RCPI President and member of NIAC & NPHET said “You have joined a wonderful profession and every day that you go to work you will make a difference to peoples’ lives. Please always assume that those you care and advocate for, are your family and friends.’

“It is a challenging time for all of us in healthcare and across our society, but we will emerge stronger from the pandemic, thanks to the feat of science and medicine. It is a tribute to the efforts of our innovators in health and science that we have safe and effective vaccinations developed within a year of the virus. You are the future innovators so we encourage you all to become involved in scientific discovery” continued Prof Horgan.

Other speakers at the Virtual Conferring Ceremony include;

  • Professor Andrew Deeks, President, UCD
  • Professor Cecily Kelleher, College Principal, UCD College of Health and Agricultural Sciences
  • Dr Lorcan O’Byrne, UCD School of Medicine Class of 2021, Final Year Student Representative
  • Dr Ethel McManus, UCD School of Medicine Class of 2021, Final Year Student Representative

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 population 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.