Four global leaders in healthcare, including representatives of the World Health Organisation, UK Institute of Health Equity and Romanian Presidency, have been awarded Honorary Fellowships of the RCSI Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery.

The awards were conferred on Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, Professor Sir Michael Marmot CH, Dr Diana-Loreta Păun and Dr Amelia Latu Afuhaamango Tuipulotu at the Faculty’s 43rd Annual International Nursing and Midwifery Research and Education Conference at St Stephen’s Green, Dublin. 

The Honorary Fellowship of the Faculty is the highest honour that can be bestowed on an individual by RCSI’s Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery. The award is reserved for those who are considered to have made an outstanding contribution to the professions of nursing, midwifery or a related field or have significantly contributed to the health and well-being of society. Previous recipients include Mother Theresa, President Mary McAleese, Christina Noble and Norah Casey. 

Outstanding contributions

Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge is the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe. His appointment coincided with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic and throughout it he advocated for trust in evidence and science, equitable access to vaccines, and compassion for all those affected by the pandemic in their day-to-day lives from the very young to the very old.  

Professor Sir Michael Marmot is the Director of the Institute of Health Equity, University College London. In an eminent career spanning 50 years, Sir Michael has received over 130 honours and distinctions and has more than 1,260 publications to his name. He also established and led a number of longitudinal cohort studies on the social gradient in health. In recognition of his unparalleled contribution to epidemiology and the understanding of health inequities, in 2000 Sir Michael was knighted and in the 2023 New Year Honours he was made a Companion of Honour.  

Dr Diana-Loreta Păun is a distinguished figure in the realm of healthcare and medical research, with a multifaceted career spanning clinical practice, education, management, and advisory roles. She is currently the Presidential Advisor on Health in Romania. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Diana was the Chief Coronavirus Advisor for Romania. Recently, Dr Păun has had a pivotal role in launching a strategic national cancer plan in Romania. As a respected figure in the medical community, she continues to inspire and elevate the field of endocrinology both in Romania and beyond.  

Dr Amelia Latu Afuhaamango Tuipulotu is the Chief Nursing Officer of the World Health Organization following an eminent 29-year career across clinical practice, academia, hospital management and politics – both in the Kingdom of Tonga, and internationally. She holds many professional accolades including being the first individual from Tonga to achieve a PhD in nursing. Prior to becoming the Chief Nursing Officer of WHO Dr Amelia was the Chief Nursing Officer in Tonga. In 2019 she became Tonga’s first female Minister for Health, successfully steering the country through a measles outbreak and the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, Dr Amelia was decorated with the Knight Grand Cross: Royal Order of the Crown of the Kingdom of Tonga. Amelia has also received the Prime Minister’s Award, International Women’s Award and Tongan Police Award and Patronage.  

Improved millions of lives

Dr Mary Boyd, Dean of the RCSI Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, commented: “We are delighted to present these outstanding international leaders in health with Honorary Fellowships of the RCSI Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery. Their contributions to health and well-being have improved the lives of millions of people across the world and they are worthy recipients of the highest honour that the Faculty can bestow.” 

The RCSI Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery annual international research and education conference is the longest running conference of its kind in Europe, with this year’s theme being ‘Changing Landscapes of Health’.  

An exciting panel of international experts addressed the 2024 conference, including: Dr Helen Bevan OBE, Chief Transformation Officer, NHS Horizons; Professor Michael West CBE, Senior Visiting Fellow at The Kings Fund, London; Annette Kennedy, Founder Health and Social Care Education Human Trafficking (HSCEHT) group; Professor Carolyn Wallace, Professor in Community Health and Care Services at the University of South Wales; Brenda Courtney, Chief Operations Officer, Infocare Healthcare Systems; and Annree Wogan, leadership consultant and executive and team performance coach.