The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) conferred 819 healthcare professionals in a ceremony that took place in the college’s St Stephen’s Green campus yesterday.

The awards conferred included Fellowship and Memberships of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Fellowship in Urgent Care Medicine and Fellowship and Membership of the Faculties of Radiologists and Radiation Oncologists, Dentistry and Sports and Exercise Medicine.

Also awarded were Fellowship and Memberships of the Faculty of Dentistry, Fellowship and Memberships in General Dental Surgery and Diplomas in Primary Care Dentistry.

Addressing the candidates, RCSI President Professor Deborah McNamara said: “Congratulations to each of you on this wonderful celebration of your achievements. This conferring marks the culmination of your dedicated efforts and is also a proud day for your families and friends who continue to encourage you, and for the RCSI Faculty who have supported you in your education to date.”  

The college also conferred Honorary Fellowships on Dr Michael T. Longaker and Professor David Nott.

The Honorary Fellowship of RCSI is the highest distinction the college bestows, recognising outstanding achievement in surgery and in other areas.

The Honorary Fellows

Dr Michael T. Longaker, Deane P. and Louise Mitchell Professor and Vice Chair Co-Director of the Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine is a surgeon and world-leading researcher in the area of wound repair and fibrosis with specific applications to the different systems between fetal and post-natal wound healing. He has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Medallion for Scientific Achievement and has published over 1,400 research papers.

In his citation, Mr Barry O’Sullivan, RCSI Council Member, spoke about the seminal discoveries made by Dr Longaker’s research including the characterization of the mouse skeletal stem cell in 2015, and the human skeletal stem cell in 2018. He described him as a true leader in academic surgery having mentored over 170 mentees worldwide.

Professor David Nott, Professor of Practice (Surgery) at Imperial College London started as a consultant surgeon at Charing Cross hospital in 1992. Several months later he went on his first mission to Bosnia, marking the start of his humanitarian work. Apart from being an NHS consultant at Saint Mary’s Hospital Paddington, he spends a few months every year abroad. His charity, the David Nott Foundation trains doctors on the front line in surgical techniques to deal with war injuries with limited resources.

The citation was read by Mr David Moore, RCSI Council Member, who applauded Professor Nott’s extraordinary contributions to health and his tireless dedication to serving those in need. He commented that Professor Nott’s legacy as a trauma surgeon, humanitarian, and advocate for global health exemplifies the highest ideals of medical professionalism and human compassion.

To watch a recording of the ceremony, visit the RCSI YouTube channel.