RCSI University of Medicine and Health Science’s 2023 summer conferring ceremonies began today with a new cohort of medical students being officially conferred in a ceremony in the Convention Centre Dublin.

RCSI’s School of Medicine conferring ceremony sees the largest number of doctors in Ireland graduate each year. Candidates were presented by the Vice Chancellor and CEO/Registrar of RCSI, Professor Cathal Kelly, and conferred by RCSI President, Professor Laura Viani. 

330 degrees were conferred across Honours Degrees of Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Obstetrics (MB, BCh, BAO) and LRCP and SI.

The graduands were addressed by Professor Dame Clare Gerada DBE, who was receiving RCSI’s highest academic award – the Honorary Doctorate in Science. Currently President of the Royal College of General Practitioners, Professor Gerada in addition to her clinical practice has led the way in reforming how drug users are managed in general practice and the development of a service for doctors and dentists with mental health problems.

Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at RCSI, Professor Hannah McGee, introduced the Honorary Doctorate as: “A general practitioner, a prominent figure in the field of healthcare and a strong advocate for mental healthcare and for reducing the stigma surrounding mental health issues, particularly among medical professionals.”

Professor Kelly congratulated all those graduating today on their success: “Since RCSI was founded, our graduates have continuously pursued excellence and have pushed the barriers of healthcare innovation, with many going on to become worldwide leaders in their field. Today, you join RCSI’s community of more than 30,000 alumni across 96 countries who are connected by a shared experience of studying together.”

RCSI President Professor Viani said: “Today we recognise your commitment, dedication and hard work. It is an important milestone in your career as a doctor; that all of this was achieved during a global pandemic makes it all the more special.”

The graduates were also addressed by the Class of 2023 valedictorian, Jelizaveta Cvetkova.

As part of the conferring, the NUI Degree of Doctor of Science (DSc) on Published Work was awarded to Professor Arnold Hill for his impactful publications and research particularly in diagnosing and controlling metastatic disease in breast cancer. This has been recognised as having a significant role in the staging and management of breast cancer. DScs are the highest qualifications awarded by the NUI and signify scholarship of international distinction.