The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) conferred 919 healthcare professionals in two ceremonies that took place in the College’s St Stephen’s Green campus today.

In the first ceremony, which saw the conferring of 754 candidates, the awards included Fellowship of the Faculty of Dentistry, Membership of the Faculty of Dentistry and the Diploma in Primary Care Dentistry. 

In surgery, the awards conferred included Fellowship and Memberships of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Diploma of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Fellowship of the Faculty of Radiologists, and Fellowship and Membership of the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine, all of which were awarded in the second ceremony of the day.

Addressing the candidates, RCSI President Professor Laura Viani said: “Congratulations to each of you on this wonderful celebration of your very significant achievements in postgraduate study. It marks the culmination of real dedicated effort, and the pandemic makes your success all the more worth celebrating. I am delighted that we can come together today to celebrate this momentous occasion, after the challenges you have faced over the last two years.

“The qualification which you are awarded today is highly regarded wherever you choose to practice as healthcare professionals. You are now in a most exciting place as you embark on the next phase in your professional life, as part of RCSI’s global network of over 10,000 Fellows and Members across 87 countries.”

The College also conferred a Honorary Fellowship on Dr Hiram Polk, Professor Emeritus, Director, Trauma and Immunological Surgery Research Laboratory, University of Louisville. The Honorary Fellowship of RCSI is the highest distinction the College bestows, recognising outstanding achievement in surgery and in other areas.

Presenting Dr Polk for Honorary Fellowship, RCSI Council Member Mr James Geraghty described him as: “One of the true giants of American surgery who during his career established an international reputation in areas such as prophylactic antibiotic use to reduce surgical site infections, burn care, several areas of surgical oncology and trauma surgery. He has made many contributions in the development of contemporary surgical training methods and models.”

To watch a recording of the ceremony, visit the RCSI YouTube channel.