RCSI Alumni, Fellows and Members

RCSI is proud to be connected to a global community of healthcare professionals that includes 35,500 alumni and 11,000 surgical Fellows and Members in 108 countries. These relationships are key to our understanding of the progress and challenges facing healthcare professionals who strive to improve healthcare, advance health systems and enhance patient care.

Meaningful engagement with our global community remains a priority and drives a wide range of activities. This year saw the continued roll-out of new online portals for alumni and Fellows and Members, offering access to a range of benefits including publications and courses that support RCSI graduates and the surgical community in practical ways.

In addition to the online offering, RCSI organised 16 Alumni, Fellows and Members events that provided in-person social and professional networking opportunities. 600 alumni and guests attended the Alumni Gathering in August 2024, while more than 70 Fellows and Members and their families joined the first Family Fun Day during Charter Week 2025. International receptions also took place in London, Qatar and Kuala Lumpur.

Through our communications, we aim to deepen connections by sharing community voices and stories in dedicated magazines, newsletters and bulletins. Highlights included profiles of the seven Alumni Awardees for 2024, monthly interviews with surgical colleagues and multi-contributor articles on topics such as balancing parenting with career and ageing well.

Since July 2024, 72 alumni, Fellows and Members registered as volunteers, contributing by organising events, giving talks and mentoring students. We value these global connections and aim to further enhance our engagement activities.

Development

Since the launch of the RCSI_TOMORROW campaign in 2016, the University has seen exponential growth in philanthropic income. Phase 1 exceeded €35 million, support four priority pillars including campus development, student programmes, world class faculty recruitment and research. Phase 2 of the campaign is now underway, aligned to the RCSI strategy Innovating for a Healthier Future 2023-2027, with an evolved focus across four priority pillars:

Forging the RCSI Med District

Alumni continued to play a catalytic role in the establishment of the medical quarter on the Green supporting capital development and 118 St Stephen’s Green through a Room Naming Campaign. Building on the successful 26 York Street campaign, where every room was named, we learned the importance of recognising alumni contributions and celebrating their achievements to inspire future generations.

Creating leaders in healthcare

Developing the global healthcare workforce and supporting talented individuals at all career stages through initiatives like student programmes and training fellowships is an ongoing priority. Strategic fundraising has yielded a high return this year with scholarships available for all undergraduate academic programmes, valued at €500,000 annually.

Building healthier societies

The campaign’s focus on enhancing health in Ireland and globally through projects such as the new RCSI gallery, a free exhibition space dedicated to health and well-being, and expanding access to surgical care for underserved populations, has delivered impactful results.

Four founding corporate sponsors raised €3m to complete the fundraising campaign and establish the RCSI gallery: Blackrock Health Group, AIB, Lanas and HSE Healthy Ireland. The funding enabled the appointment of a team led by Dr Alison Boyle, Gallery Directory bringing extensive exhibition expertise for the launch in the next academic year. BD continued to support access to essential surgical care in Malawi through the kidSURG and Akazi programmes, in partnership with the Institute of Global Surgery. This sustained support is vital for thousands of patients in countries with limited resources.

Advancing research

The campaign continues to cultivate support for impactful, patient-focused, cutting-edge research in areas such as cancer, cerebral palsy and neurological disorders. This year saw the establishment of the new RCSI CP-Life Centre, led by Dr Jennifer Ryan and a team of researchers, focused on improving outcomes for adults living with cerebral palsy.

The introduction of legacy giving as a way to support RCSI has proven popular. The inaugural 1784 Society legator event brought focus to this important area of philanthropy. As a result, 28 individuals have already engaged with us regarding bequest intentions, demonstrating a meaningful connection between RCSI’s past, present and future.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to all the individuals, companies and foundations whose philanthropic support has helped advance RCSI’s mission to ‘educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health’. The commitment of donors is making a lasting impact on our students, researchers and the global communities we serve.