Professor Kevin Barry, Director of National Surgical Training Programmes at RCSI, has been admitted as a Member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators.

Professor Barry was among a group of 63 esteemed surgical educators who were inducted at a ceremony on 6 October in Chicago.

He has been a consultant general surgeon at Mayo University Hospital, where he established a symptomatic breast clinic, since 1999. In 2008 he joined the symptomatic breast team at Galway University Hospital, where he continues to work closely with the multidisciplinary team, before joining RCSI in 2021 as Director of National Surgical Training Programmes, playing a pivotal role in maintaining the highest standards of excellence within RCSI’s surgical training work.

A graduate of University College Cork, Professor Barry obtained his FRCSI in 1990 before completing further training in the USA. He was awarded an MD by UCC on the basis of his research and has authored more than 130 peer-reviewed publications.

This is the sixth cohort of members of the academy, which works to advance the science and practice of education across all surgical specialties. Individuals are selected as members, associate members, or affiliate members following a stringent peer review process.

Distinguished leader

Members actively engage in furthering the Academy’s programmes and goals, which include advancing the science and practice of innovative lifelong surgical education, training and scholarship, and positively impacting quality and patient safety through lifelong surgical education and training. Professor Barry joins the Academy ranks with Professor Oscar Traynor, Professor of Postgraduate Surgical Education at RCSI, who was inducted in 2022.

RCSI President, Professor Laura Viani said: “I am delighted to congratulate Professor Barry on the occasion of his induction into the ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators. Professor Barry is a distinguished leader in surgical training and education at both national and international levels, and his dedication and contributions to the field have earned him this most prestigious honour.”

Dr LD Britt, past president of the ACS and co-chair of the Steering Committee of the Academy, commented: “The Academy of Master Surgeons Educators, a vital and ‘living body’ of the American College of Surgeons, continues its legacy of advancing the science and practice of surgical education. The Academy is pleased to induct the 2023 cohort of distinguished and highly accomplished educators.

“This recognition is a true testament to the unwavering commitment of the College to develop and promote ‘best practices’ in surgical education, with the overarching goal to always improve patient care.”