Angela Clayton-Lea joined Cancer Trials Ireland in 2023 as Chief Operating Officer (COO). She has 21 years of experience in healthcare, having worked clinically as a Research Radiation Therapist before moving to Operations Management.

Angela worked with the St. Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network, the NCCP, and with Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) where she managed the Peri-Operative Directorate prior to becoming TUH COO.

In her current role as Cancer Trial Ireland’s COO, Angela is principal advisor to the CEO on all operational issues providing overall direction, leadership, and operational expertise, ensuring Cancer Trials Ireland’s strategic priorities are achieved.

Austin Stack is Professor and Foundation Chair of Medicine at the University of Limerick School of Medicine and a Consultant Nephrologist at University Hospital Limerick. A graduate of University College Dublin, he completed his postgraduate training in Ireland before moving to the United States for clinical and research fellowships at the University of Michigan, later serving as Assistant Professor at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston.

He is internationally recognised for his work in health outcomes research, particularly in advancing understanding of chronic kidney disease and its impact on patients and healthcare systems in Ireland. As founding Director of the Health Research Institute at UL, he led the development and delivery of the University’s health research strategy.

At UL, Austin plays a key role in teaching and mentoring medical students. He also leads the Kidney Research Consortium and has driven major national initiatives, including the development of Ireland’s Kidney Disease Surveillance System and the rollout of the country’s first electronic kidney disease record.

He serves as governance lead for the Irish Kidney Disease Data System and contributes to national and international advisory groups, reflecting his ongoing impact as a clinician, researcher, and healthcare leader.

Caroline Whelan is the Group CEO of Blackrock Health, one of Ireland’s largest private hospital Groups, including Blackrock Clinic, Galway Clinic and Hermitage Clinic and a diagnostic clinic in Limerick. She heads up a team of more than 3000 staff and more than 600 consultants across 50 specialist areas. Together, the clinics have a total of 450 inpatient beds including 28 ICU beds and 24 operating theatres, with expansion planned for the near future.

Damien McCallion is the HSE’s Chief Technology and Transformation Officer with responsibility for technology, information security, data governance and digital development. Damien is the HSE Director for the Sláintecare Programme, overseeing the HSE’s medium to long term transformation programmes. Damien is also the lead for the HSE’s Organisational Change Unit, overseeing reform and transformation in the HSE. Damien is also Deputy CEO of the HSE.

Damien was the HSE’s Chief Operations Officer from mid 2022 to June 2024, responsible for oversight of day-to-day health and social care operations in the HSE and over 100,000 staff. He took on a lead role in the COVID-19 pandemic response as the head of the successful Vaccination and Test &Trace programmes, a key part of the nation’s public health response to the pandemic. He held a variety of roles prior to this within the HSE, from Screening Services, Head of the National Ambulance Service, Head of ICT, National Director for Emergency Management and Special Delivery Unit, and an Area Manager for Health Services in the North West.

He has also had a lead role in cross border health programmes, as Chair and Director General of CAWT, and the organisation Safefood as Deputy Chair, for a number of years. Prior to working in the Health Service he worked for ten years in the airline industry. Damien originally qualified from Letterkenny IT in computing and subsequently completed an MSC in Innovation Management from University of Ulster and Letterkenny IT.

Dr Dearbhaile Collins is a Consultant Medical Oncologist and Clinical Director of Cancer Services at Cork University Hospital. A UCD medical graduate, she holds a PhD in translational oncology, a Master’s in Medical Ethics and Law (Manchester University), and Postgraduate Certificates in Clinical and Translational Medicine (UCD) and Cancer Genetics and Genomics (RCPI). After specialist training in Ireland, she completed a fellowship at the Royal Marsden Hospital’s Drug Development Unit, London. Her subspecialty interests include gynaecological and thoracic cancers, translational research, and early-phase trials. A national and international clinical trials leader, she is widely recognised for research, leadership, and advocacy in oncology.

Over 35-years, Fintan’s career has been spent in medical education and training in both Ireland and overseas. He worked from 1993 – 2011 in RCSI in a number of senior posts including Project Lead for a overseas projects in the Gulf and Malaysia. From 2011 to 2017, he was CEO of the College of Anaesthetists in Ireland. This was a young organsiation and within which he put in place a strong governance structure, a clear identity and established a strong overseas base.

For the last 8 years he has been CEO of the Irish College of GPs with the College seeing growth across all its key areas in Ireland and overseas. Fintan has completed an MBA from Smurfit Business School in addition to a primary degree and postgraduate qualifications in HR, Accountancy, Teaching, etc.

Fintan has served on the Board of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland for 8 years and is also Company Secretary of Polio Survivors Ireland. In June 2023, he was appointed to the Board of the Dublin Dental University Hospital. Fintan’s areas of professional interest are in Business Growth Strategies, Corporate governance and developing and empowering senior members of staff.

Dr Timmins is Professor of Nursing, Dean, and Head of School at the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, University College Dublin, Ireland. She is Editor in Chief of the Public Health Nursing Journal and an Honorary Editorial Advisor, at the Journal of Advanced Nursing. She is a competent researcher who has led several interdisciplinary, international research teams over a 25-year period. She has published numerous papers, with 270 peer-reviewed papers listed in Scopus. Most of these (72%) represent collaborations with international colleagues. This has meant a meaningful contribution to international debates and policy within nursing (person-centred care, information and support requirements of cardiac patients and spiritual care provision) and nurse education (e.g., management of absenteeism/student stress and nurse portfolio/reflective practice).

She has written or co-authored 11 textbooks, and 8 book chapters. Her publications have received 4,013 recorded citations. representing citations from 106 regions globally. Her field weighted citation impact is 2.52. Within the last five years 33% of her publications were in the top 10% most cited worldwide. 50% were in the top 10% of Journals worldwide and 72% of her peer-reviewed publications were with international colleagues. Her H-index (Scopus) is 33.

She is currently the top author in the subject of Nursing, within the Irish Universities. Her research lies within two distinct but overlapping themes: teaching and learning and professional nursing issues. She has presented widely on these topics: more than 250 international conferences papers, 140 invited papers and workshops, and her research replicated & cited widely across the globe.

Garry was born in Beragh, Co. Tyrone, graduated in Medicine from Trinity College, Dublin University, trained in General Medicine and Gastroenterology in several Dublin Hospitals and in St Thomas’s Hospital, London. He was appointed as Consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist in St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny in 1996.

Other appointments include Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Regional Programme Director, the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. Garry is a College trainer for BST/GIM and HST GIM/Gastro, Intern trainer and is the RCPI Regional Programme Director for St. Luke’s Hospital, Carlow/Kilkenny.

Garry was the National Clinical co-Lead (with Professor Shane O’Neill) on the report of the National Acute Medicine Programme which established the concept of Hospital Models, Acute Medical Assessment Units, the Acute Floor, the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) and the Principle of Clinical Justice. The Acute Medicine Model of Care contributed to the development of the Smaller Hospital Framework and the National Quality Assurance and Information System (NQAIS Clinical) used for analysis of HIPE data in all acute hospitals (with Drs Orlaith O’Reilly and Howard Johnson).

• Gary Boyle was born in Dublin, Ireland in May 1965

• Married to Joan; 2 children (Daire, 29 and Bronwyn, 24)

• BSc Management (European Law); worked 20+ years in HR; semi-conductor industry

• Diagnosed with ‘Young Onset’ Parkinson’s aged 44 in 2009; by 2015 forced to stop work

• Shocked by the lack of resources, Gary has become a passionate Patient Advocate

• Gary places huge emphasis on the importance of regular Exercise in slowing down PD

• Gary believes that a multi-disciplinary team approach to tackle Parkinson’s is essential

• Gary is a Board member and Vice President of Parkinson’s Europe (formerly EPDA)

Georgina Cruise is the National Manager of the Patient Advocacy Service. Established in 2019, the Service supports people who want to make a formal complaint about the care they have experienced in a Public Acute Hospital or Nursing Home and in the aftermath of a patient safety incident. Georgina is responsible for the continued growth and development of the Patient Advocacy Service, enhancing patients and nursing home residents’ rights to safe and effective care.

Georgina has over 21 years’ experience of working to uphold citizens’ rights and entitlements through Advocacy and influencing social policy development.

With qualifications in Advocacy Practice Provision, Patient Safety Complaints Advocacy and Human Resources, Georgina has a keen interest in healthcare quality improvement, person centred care and the empowerment and support of people using public services.

Prof. Gozie Offiah is an Associate Professor of Surgery and Director of Curriculum at RCSI, with over 15 years of experience in surgery and medical education. She holds multiple degrees, including a BSc, MB, BCh, BAO, MD, Master’s, and PhD in Medical Education. A leader in medical education, she developed Ireland’s Curriculum Framework for the Internship Programme and serves on key medical accreditation boards including the Accreditation Commission of Colleges of Medicine (ACCM). As EACH President-Elect, she advances healthcare communication. With extensive research and teaching expertise, she translates findings into improved educational practices, benefiting educators, learners, and patients globally.

Grainne O’Leary has been the Chief Executive of Arthritis Ireland since 2017 where she is leading the strategy of the charity to be one of the leading patient centric health charities in Ireland. She is passionate about making positive change for people living with arthritis. with long-standing experience of the organisation since she started there in 2004. Prior to her appointment as Chief Executive, she was Head of Services with the organisation where she developed and implemented Arthritis Ireland’s suite of patient support services. She has worked as a senior manager in the non-profit and healthcare sector for over 25 years.

Gráinne holds a BA degree in Economics and Business Studies from Trinity College Dublin and a MSc in Environmental Management from University College Dublin. She then worked in a variety of educational roles in the community and voluntary sector before joining Arthritis Ireland.

She serves as a board member of the Disability Federation of Ireland, where she is currently Vice-Chairperson.

Professor Jane Grimson is a computer engineering graduate from Trinity College, and holds a Masters and Doctorate in Computer Science from the Universities of Toronto and Edinburgh, respectively. She returned to Trinity College where she served as Dean of Engineering and of Research, as Vice-Provost from 2001-2005, and as Pro Chancellor of the University from 2016 - 2025. From 2006 until her retirement in 2014, she was partially seconded to the newly established Health Information and Quality Authority, initially as Director of Health Information and subsequently as Acting Chief Executive. Jane has published widely in the field of Health Informatics

Jason Kenny is the Hospital CEO at Bon Secours Hospital Limerick, a recently opened 170-bed facility. Jason is active in the organisation’s digital health transformation program, which recently included the launch of the MEDITECH Expanse EHR system just after opening the New Hospital. . Hospital CEO New Bon Secours Hospital Limerick, Q4 2025 . Interim Chief Strategy Officer BSHS, . Hospital CEO Bon Secours Hospital Limerick at Barringtons . COO / Deputy Group CEO for the Cork University Hospital Group . General Manager, Kerry General Hospital . Head of Procurement, Mercy University Hospital His postgraduate work includes a Master's degree in Healthcare Management and an Advanced Diploma in Leadership, building upon an undergraduate background in Business Studies/Finance. He also holds a Diploma in Purchasing & Materials Management.

Loretto is the National Chief Nursing and Midwifery Information Officer working as part of the clinical leadership team in the Digital for Care Transformation Office in the HSE. The purpose of her role is to provide leadership and strategic direction for nursing and midwifery in conjunction with her multi-professional leaders in digital health; ensure clinical practice is fully supported by the use of digital technology and data science; and the clinical workforce are empowered to practice and lead in a digitally-enabled healthcare system now and into the future.

She believes connected digital health can make all our lives better and delivering an enabling architecture to support Irelands overarching vision for healthcare which is Slaintecare is a fundamental driver for her role.

Lou leads strategic transformation, innovation, and patient-centred care across the health system. With over 35 years’ experience in senior clinical, managerial, and leadership roles in acute hospitals and Section 38 agencies, she is known for her commitment to operational excellence and reform. Lou fosters a culture of enablement and co-design, shaping a responsive health ecosystem that delivers improved outcomes for patients, service users, and communities

Lucy was appointed CEO of Tallaght University Hospital in 2019 having previously held the roles of COO and DCEO in the Hospital. Prior to joining TUH she worked in the HSE in the Acute Hospitals Division as Head of Quality Assurance & Risk Management and Clinical & Patient Services Manager in the Children’s University Hospital Temple Street. Prior to that she worked in a number of nursing roles as a registered general and children’s nurse and holds a BSc, MSc, RCPI Diploma in QI & Leadership and is a graduate of the IESE Business School Advanced Management Programme. She is a Past President of the Health Management Institute of Ireland and is currently the President of the European Association of Hospital Managers.

Martin McCormack is Chief Executive Officer of the College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland and an Adjunct Professor at Trinity College Dublin. A Chartered Director, he contributes nationally to health system improvement through his role on the HSE Strategy and Reform Committee and serves on the Audit and Risk Committee of the Royal Irish Academy. He is Chair of the Expert Advisory Group overseeing the development of a National Learning Analytics Capability for health professionals. He has held senior leadership positions across healthcare education, regulation, and workforce development, working with national and international partners to strengthen capability and patient safety. His doctoral research at Aston University examines strategic renewal in health systems, with a focus on leadership, governance and sustainable change.

Dr. Orlaith OReilly is currently the Clinical Lead for the GP Chronic Disease Management Programme and the SMILE Virtual Case Management Project. Formerly Director of Public Health for the South East from 1995 to 2014. She was also the National Clinical Advisor for Chronic Disease from 2014 – 2023, leading the development and implementation of the chronic disease element of the Enhanced Community Care Programme.

Paul Fearon is Medical Director of St Patricks Mental Health Services, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin. He graduated in Medicine from University College Dublin, and after 5 years postgraduate training in general medicine, he specialised in psychiatry. He completed his training at the Maudsley Hospital, London and was a consultant general adult psychiatrist there for 7 years. As a senior lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry in London, he headed the Section of Social Psychiatry and Epidemiology. He returned to Dublin to take up his post as Clinical Professor in Psychiatry and General Adult Consultant Psychiatrist in St. Patricks Hospital and Trinity College Dublin in 2008. He acted as Assistant Medical Director from 2015 prior or taking up his post as Medical Director in January 2020. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers, largely in the areas of the epidemiology and the role of socioenvironmental factors in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and in Quality of Care in Mental Health Services.

Pete Struthers is the Chief Information Officer of St James’s Hospital, one of Ireland’s largest and most digitally advanced hospitals. Pete has a wealth of experience in healthcare technology, having spent of 10 years specialising in this field and over 13 years working at Microsoft. In recent years Pete was the Director of the Microsoft Technology Centre, helping business leaders across all sectors, build and deliver their digital transformation strategies. Now as CIO, Pete is overseeing the digital strategy and operations for a hospital of over 5,000 users, expanding the use of clinical systems and data to deliver the hospital mission of providing patients with timely access to high-quality care.

Dr. Rosa McNamara is a Consultant in Emergency Medicine at St. Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin and Clinical Lead for the National Emergency Medicine Programme in Ireland. Her areas of interest include policy development, quality improvement and system redesign, particularly for older adults and people living with frailty.

With over 30 years' experience in Health and Social Care, progressing from frontline worker to senior leadership, and having worked across the voluntary and private sectors in her career, Sinead holds an RNID qualification, a Health Services Management qualification, and specialist training in Behaviour Therapy. She has led the development and growth of high-quality, person-centred services for individuals with Intellectual Disability, Autism, and Prader-Willi Syndrome, including establishing the world's first PWS-specific respite service. Her focus has consistently been on delivering measurable positive outcomes, providing safe environments, expanding service options, and championing staff progression and career advancement to drive lasting, meaningful impact.

Stephen McMahon is Co Founder and Chair of the Irish Patients Association, lead author of its Activity Report series, and co author of the European Charter of Patients’ Rights, focused on safety, transparency and accountability.

Tadhg Daly is Chief Executive, Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) the representative organisation for the private and voluntary nursing homes sector. Tadhg is a regular contributor to policy debates, conferences and media on matters relating to care and support of our older population.

Tadhg is a ministerial appointee on the board of Coru, the Health and Social Care Professionals Council. Tadhg is a passionate advocate in care of the older person, outlining that as a Society we need to celebrate the fact that people are living longer, develop a continuum of care and ambitious policy for the care of ageing demographic.