RCSI University of Medicine and Health Science’s 2024 summer conferring ceremonies continue today with the graduation of the School of Medicine Class of 2024 at a ceremony in the Convention Centre Dublin.

RCSI’s medicine conferring ceremony sees the largest number of doctors in Ireland graduate each year. Candidates were presented by the Vice Chancellor of RCSI, Professor Cathal Kelly, and conferred by RCSI President, Professor Deborah McNamara. 

342 degrees were conferred across the Honours Degrees of Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Obstetrics (MB, BCh, BAO) and LRCP & SI. 

The graduands were addressed by Professor Dorothy Roberts, who was receiving RCSI’s highest academic award of an Honorary Doctorate. Professor Roberts is the 14th Penn Integrates Knowledge Professor and George A. Weiss University Professor of Law and Sociology at University of Pennsylvania, with joint appointments in the Departments of Africana Studies and Sociology and the Law School, where she is the inaugural Raymond Pace and Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander Professor of Civil Rights. She is also founding director of the Penn Program on Race, Science and Society.

Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at RCSI, Professor Hannah McGee, introduced the Honorary Doctorate as: “An internationally acclaimed scholar and a leader in transforming thinking on reproductive justice, child welfare, and bioethics.” 

Professor Kelly congratulated all those graduating today on their success: “Since RCSI was founded, our graduates have continuously pursued excellence and have pushed the barriers of healthcare innovation, with many going on to become worldwide leaders in their field. Today, you join RCSI’s community of more than 32,000 alumni across 103 countries who are connected by a shared experience of studying together.”

RCSI President Professor Deborah McNamara said: “Today we recognise your commitment, dedication and hard work. Today is an important milestone in your career as a doctor. The legacy of healthcare innovations by our alumni over our 240-year history illustrates how each and every one of you has the potential to shape the delivery of excellence in patient care. This is a great responsibility but also a privilege.”

The graduates were also addressed by the Class of 2024 Valedictorian, Rachel Frankle.