The end of a 30-year exchange programme between Beaumont/Richmond hospital and John Hopkins hospital was marked today by special presentations during surgical grand rounds at Beaumont Hospital.

The programme was established in order to facilitate a sharing of surgical expertise between both sides of Atlantic. It has resulted in the training of 64 American surgeons in Ireland, many of whom are currently chairmen of their departments in the US. A significant number of consultant surgeons in Ireland who have trained in John Hopkins as part of this exchange programme are attending the event today. Among those are Professor William MacGowan and Professor Bouchier Hayes who led the programme over the last three decades.

Professor Arnold Hill, Chair of Surgery at RCSI, said: “This has been a wonderful exchange programme for all involved. It is with great sadness that the programme is ending. We at RCSI and Beaumont look forward to participating in future international exchange fellowship programmes with both the United States and Australia.”