The long-standing academic collaboration that exists between Cavan-Monaghan Mental Health Service and RCSI was marked today at the third annual Research Day held in the Radisson Hotel, Cavan.

The Kelly Medal that recognises excellence in undergraduate teaching was presented to Dr Manzar Khawaja by Professor Kieran Murphy, Professor of Psychiatry at RCSI.

As part of the undergraduate curriculum, RCSI medical students attend a six-week clinical placement in Psychiatry at St Davnet’s Hospital, Monaghan and Cavan General Hospital under the leadership of Professor Murphy. During their clinical attachment, RCSI students have the opportunity to experience modern, community-oriented mental health service delivery and are introduced to innovative approaches such as home-based treatment for acute psychiatric disorders and primary care liaison psychiatry.

An award for excellence in undergraduate teaching was established in 2006 and is based on feedback from students. The award is in honour of the late Dr Patrick Kelly, a former consultant psychiatrist in Cavan-Monaghan Mental Health Service and a dedicated and skilled clinician and teacher.

The relationship with Cavan-Monaghan Mental Health Service and RCSI began with an initial joint research project into the epidemiology and biology of the major psychoses. This research was coordinated by Professor John Waddington, Professor of Neuroscience at RCSI in collaboration with locally based consultant psychiatrists, research registrar and senior registrar trainees. This stream of research has made important contributions to understanding psychotic illness via a series of publications in major international scientific journals while also providing material for MD degrees achieved by several trainees in psychiatry.

At the third annual Research Day a number of research presentations were delivered by current and recent local psychiatric trainees that covered both aspects of local service delivery and research completed under Professor Waddington’s supervision. Dr Vincent Russell, Clinical Director, Cavan-Monaghan Mental Health Service, and Professors Murphy & Waddington, RCSI, look forward to this relationship growing further over the coming years.