RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) conferred more than 200 healthcare professionals with postgraduate awards at a conferring ceremony which took place in the College on 7 December.

In surgery, these awards included Fellowships of RCSI in Cardiothoracic Surgery; General Surgery; Neurosurgery; Ophthalmology; Oral and Maxillofacial; Otolaryngology; Plastic Surgery; Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery; Urology; and Fellowships Ad Eundem. Memberships of RCSI were awarded including Memberships in ENT and Ophthalmology.

Fellowships of the Faculty of Radiologists in Radiodiagnosis and a Fellowship of the Faculty of Radiologists Ad Eundem were conferred. In Dentistry, Fellowships were awarded in Oral Surgery; Oral Surgery with Oral Medicine; Orthodontics; Periodontics; Prosthodontics; and Fellowships of the Faculty of Dentistry Ad Eundem. Memberships of the Faculty of Dentistry, Memberships in General Dental Surgery and Diplomas of Primary Care Dentistry were also conferred. Fellowships of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, including Fellowships Ad Eundem were awarded at the ceremony. The Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine awarded a Fellowship by Election, Fellowships Ad Eundem and a Membership of the Faculty.

Internationally renowned colorectal surgeon Professor Neil Mortensen was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of RCSI at the ceremony. He was Professor of Colorectal Surgery in the University of Oxford Medical School and worked at the Oxford University Hospitals from 1987 until his recent retirement. Following his appointment to Oxford he campaigned for the recognition of colorectal surgery as a specialty in the UK and Ireland and championed the development of minimal access techniques in the UK including Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery and more recently robotics in colorectal surgery. He founded the first patient association for those with ileoanal pouches, The Kangaroo Club, and in 2004 the Charity OCCTOPUS- Oxford Colon Cancer Trust which supports education, research and new technology in colorectal diseases. He has an extensive research portfolio, publishing over 300 original papers, 30 book chapters and editing eight books. He is currently Editor in Chief of the journal Colorectal Disease.

Declan J. Magee, President of RCSI said: "I would like to congratulate all of our conferring candidates on their achievements and on reaching this important and exciting stage in their careers. For some, today is an important milestone which places them securely on the training ladder and for others it is a statement of completion of a comprehensive training programme and rigorous assessment process to the highest standards, enabling them to now practice as a specialist. Today we recognise our candidates' application to their training and their dedication and commitment to their patients and their profession." 

"I congratulate Dr Professor Neil Mortensen, on his award of Honorary Fellowship of RCSI, a most worthy recipient of the highest honour this College has to offer for his outstanding contributions to colorectal surgery, and the treatment of colorectal diseases," Mr Magee concluded.

Professor Simon Cross, Council Member, who will read the citation for Honorary Fellowship recipient Professor Mortensen, RCSI said: "The most important legacy that he will leave is the knowledge and desire for improved patient care that he has instilled in his trainees. It is for these reasons that he is held in such high regard by the many national and international fellows who have worked with him."