Professor Tom O’Connor from RCSI’s School of Nursing and Midwifery has been appointed President Elect of the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) for 2025. Professor O’Connor will be the Panel’s President in 2026.

Professor O’Connor is a Lead Researcher in the Skin Wounds and Trauma (SWaT) Research Centre, based at RCSI’s School of Nursing and Midwifery. He is widely published in the field of skin wounds and trauma and has recently focused on early indicators of pressure and diabetic foot ulcers, evaluation of pressure ulcer prevention education programmes and physiological differences in response to injury depending on skin tone.

The EPUAP provides a platform for clinicians, researchers, educators, policy makers, industry and the public to collaboratively work on improved health outcomes for those at risk or suffering from pressure ulcers.

EPUAP provides EU-wide education and campaigns with accessible resources for clinicians and the public and supports international and interdisciplinary research activities and partnership. An important focus is the development of cross-continent international clinical guidelines to support practitioners in making informed decisions about interventions for prevention and treatment.

Commenting on his appointment Professor O’Connor said: “I am honoured to have been elected as President Elect of the European Pressure Advisory Panel. I look forward to working together with this dynamic group of scientists, researchers, educators, clinicians and service users to further the mission of this prestigious organisation. My key focus in my term as president will be to grow the impact of EPUAP, through enhanced innovative partnerships and meaningful collaboration with all our stakeholders.”

Professor Zena Moore, Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at RCSI and Director of the Skin Wounds and Trauma Centre said: “I am delighted to offer my congratulations to Professor O’Connor on this important appointment. Professor O’Connor has made a substantial contribution to our understanding of skin wounds and trauma and this appointment reflects the esteem in which he is held in by his peers around Europe. I look forward to seeing the progress the EUPAP makes under his leadership, for the benefit of patients.”

Specialising in the evaluation and regulated clinical investigations of novel medical devices, the SWaT Research Centre is a hub for industry partners seeking to evolve – and bring to market – wound care prevention and treatment devices. The Centre also works to cultivate the education of leading researchers in wound care and tissue viability.