UCC professor wins top accolade at the Helix Health Pharmacist Awards
Cork-based Professor of Pharmacology at UCC, Caitriona O’Driscoll, took the top accolade at the 2007 Helix Health Pharmacist Awards on Saturday night, November 17th in recognition of her dedicated years of research in pharmacology allied with the challenge of heading the new School of Pharmacy at UCC.
The annual event, which is supported by Helix Health, attracted an audience of almost 300 to the Royal Kilmainham Hospital in Dublin to raise funds for the Benevolent Trust Fund of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland.
The event’s judges, who include many of the most respected members of the pharmacy profession, praised Professor O’Driscoll for rising to the challenge of establishing the new School of Pharmacy in University College Cork which has produced its first crop of graduates of the highest calibre this year. The School was established to address the demand for undergraduate places in pharmacy. UCC has the only school of pharmacy outside of Dublin and was the third school of pharmacy to open – the RCSI having opened the previous year.
They highlighted the pharmacist’s contribution to research in targeted drug delivery systems. Her research collaborations have included Cork Cancer Research, UCD, TCD and Athens University. She has been central in securing the research funding of €6 million from Science Foundation Ireland in collaboration with her research colleagues.
In all, eight awards were presented last Saturday night including a special Lifetime Achievement Award which went to Dublin-based pharmacist John Burke for more than 30 years of dedicated service to pharmacy. He was pivotal in the early 70’s in uniting the old IDA and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland together in a formidable team to negotiate the GMS contract, one of the single most important developments ever undertaken within the Irish healthcare system. Subsequently, John Burke was a founding father of the Irish Pharmaceutical Union, recognising a need for a strong and professional organisation to represent the pharmacy profession in order for it to progress and evolve.
Cicely Roche, who spoke on behalf of the Benevolent Trust Fund of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, said that the monies raised by the event would make a very real difference to the families of those associated with pharmacy experiencing difficult times.
Mr Howard Beggs, CEO of Helix Health, said his company had been assisting pharmacists deliver top-quality care to their patients over the last 20 years.
He added: “Helix Health is delighted to sponsor the Pharmacist Awards because they provide recognition for the immense contribution that pharmacists from community, hospital and industry make every single day of their working lives. Pharmacists are very often neglected when discussion turns to healthcare, but pharmacists across Ireland play a tremendous role in supporting the healthcare system. And their sheer expertise, professionalism and accessibility mean they have an even bigger role to play.”
Eight pharmacists were recognised by their peers at the 2007 pharmacist awards. The winners included:
Young Pharmacist of the Year: Brendan Culloty, Youghal Pharmacy, Co. Cork
Brendan was recognised for his unique ability to engage with patients, to be sensitive to their needs and to take the time required to solve their problems. His intervention in their care, has for several patients, improved the management of their illness and for some, may potentially have been life-saving.
Practice-Based Research Award: Fiona Ryan, University College Cork
Fiona uses an internet portal website to manage and monitor 163 patients receiving oral anticoagulation which allows for continuity of care and increased flexibility of testing for both patient and healthcare provider.
Excellence in Community Practice Award: Ronan Quirke, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
Through his multidisciplinary approach with local healthcare practitioners, Ronan provides expert advice and care to his patients.
Patient Nominated Award: Tomás Conefrey, Pearse St., Dublin
Tomás was nominated by several patients in recognition for his helpful advice, in particular to the elderly, and the endless time he spends helping them understand their treatments.
Excellence in Hospital Pharmacy Award: Geraldine Creaton, St John’s Hospital, Limerick
Geraldine developed the first pharmacist- led anti-coagulation clinic outside Dublin which led to the hospital’s early accreditation.
Retail Pharmacist Contribution to the Community Award: John Tully, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon
Thanks to the hard work and foresight of John a Hospice Foundation was established in counties Mayo and Roscommon to address the lack of home-based services for terminally ill patients.
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