More than 100 guests were welcomed to the inaugural RCSI Alumni Awards which took place in College Hall on the evening of Friday, 22 March.

This year, RCSI established the awards to celebrate and honour the outstanding achievements of RCSI alumni who have made a substantial mark in their professional fields and who, as global healthcare practitioners, are leading the world to better health.

Reflecting an impressive roll call of graduates, the six honourees were selected from each of the following Schools: Medicine, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Nursing and Midwifery, Postgraduate Studies and the Institute of Leadership.

During the selection process, 19,000 alumni were invited to participate by nominating their classmates and peers. Written submissions were assessed by a panel of judges led by Prof. Cathal Kelly, RCSI CEO, Prof. Hannah McGee, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and members of the academic community, including Prof. Arnold Hill (School of Medicine), Prof. Frances Horgan (School of Physiotherapy), Prof. Brian Kirby, (School of Pharmacy), Prof. Zena Moore (Nursing and Midwifery), Prof. Niamh Moran (Postgraduate Studies) and Prof. Ciaran O’Boyle (Institute of Leadership).

The winners demonstrated extraordinary accomplishments in their own field, which have not only made significant contributions to patient welfare and the business of healthcare but also enhanced the reputation of RCSI worldwide.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Aíne Gibbons, Director of Development - Alumni Relations, RCSI said: ‘We are extremely proud of our six extraordinary winners who truly are leading the world to better health; these distinguished individuals have made enduring contributions to the improvement of human health and are united by their time spent together in RCSI. The Alumni Awards are set to become an annual event and this year’s honourees have set a very high standard. We look forward to receiving the nominations for the 2020 RCSI Alumni Awards.”

2019 RCSI Alumni Award Winners

Dr Daniel Briscoe, Class of 1987, School of Medicine

Described as 'warm, friendly and hardworking' in his yearbook, it comes as no surprise, that he shared the final year prize in Ophthalmology. Today, Dr Briscoe runs one of the largest Oculoplastic Orbital surgical services in Israel and the largest Ophthalmology residency program in Northern Israel. Elected to the International Orbital Society in 2018, he is the first Irishman to be elected to the society which has only 29 members worldwide.

“The panel unanimously agreed that Daniel is an alumnus who, befitting of the criteria, has made, and continues to make, a significant impact on the lives of both his students and his patients.”

Ms Avril Copeland, Class of 2010,  School of Physiotherapy

Known to be a daredevil by nature, our winner, is a not only a retired Irish hockey player and an expedition adventure racer, but also highly successful entrepreneur. In 2013, she established Innerstrength, an eHealth company recognised both nationally and internationally that develops digital tools to aid health professionals and patients work together for the prevention and treatment of chronic conditions.

“We are very proud that ‘physiotherapy’ sowed the seed, and honoured to recognise Avril for driving technological innovation in healthcare.”

Ms Fatima Rustom, Class of 2008, School of Pharmacy

Since graduation and returning to her native Qatar, she opened the Pharmacy Department at the Heart Hospital, and played a fundamental role in the planning and implementation of the first automated pharmacy dispensing system in Qatar. She now holds the position of Pharmacy Director at the Communicable Disease Center (CDC) where she continues to lead on industry best practice.

“In choosing her as our winner, the panel was struck by her ability to pioneer change in pharmacy practice for the betterment of patient health in Qatar.”

Dr Emer Shanley, School of Nursing & Midwifery, PG Dip 2011; MSc 2012; PhD 2018

Dr Shanley began her studies at RCSI in 2009 and culminated in the completion of a PHD in 2018. Her academic research focused on the prevention of pressure ulcers as a key step for enhancing health, and the utilisation of education to empower people to take an active role in health promotion. Her research has since been brought to life through a bespoke patient education programme with her work being recognised as crossing the frontiers of pressure ulcer prevention.

“A highly accomplished Clinical Nurse Specialist (Tissue Viability) working in community care in West Cork, her steadfast focus continues to be on improving the lives of her patients. A very worthy winner.”

Dr Kelly Aylward, PhD 2005, School of Postgraduate Studies

After completing her PhD at RCSI, Dr Aylward , with two colleagues, established Mint Europe in early 2009. Today, Mint is the largest independent subsidy consultancy company in Belgium with a dynamic multidisciplinary team of 23 consultants including ten PhD scientists.

As the scientific/technical partner of Mint’s Management Board, and the company’s Chief Operations Officer (COO), she is responsible for translating the company’s vision into daily operations, service quality and business development.

“Ambitious, efficient, driven and successful, our winner is a true example of excellence from the RCSI Doctoral programme.”

Mr Martin Dunne, MSc 2015, Institute of Leadership

Our winner, in his role as Director of the National Ambulance Service, is responsible for the strategy and daily operations of the service across the Irish State.

He also holds a Ministerial appointment to the Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council of Ireland, assists with the strategic direction of the Ambulances Service across the UK and supports the development of the Ambulance Services in Georgia and in Pakistan.

“Kind and modest, he credits his RCSI MSc in Leadership for improving his personal resilience, and giving him the leadership skills necessary to meet the future needs of the National Ambulance Service.”

On graduation, students join the RCSI alumni network of more than 19,000 distinguished healthcare practitioners worldwide. To find out more about RCSI Dublin Alumni Relations, visit rcsi.com/dublin/alumni.