Globally respected nurse leader Dr Diana Mason and renowned broadcaster and designer Brendan Courtney have been awarded Honorary Fellowships of RCSI's Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery in recognition of their advocacy, commitment to social justice and outstanding contributions to nursing leadership and health policy.

The conferring ceremony took place at the 45th Annual International Nursing and Midwifery Research and Education Conference at RCSI, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin.

The Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery at RCSI has a long tradition of recognising individuals who have made a significant impact on healthcare, policy and society. The Honorary Fellowship of the Faculty is the highest honour that it can bestow on an individual and is reserved for those who are considered to have made an outstanding contribution to the professions of nursing, midwifery or a related field or have significantly contributed to the health and well-being of society.

Dr Diana Mason and Brendan Courtney now join a distinguished list of past recipients who have demonstrated excellence in their fields while contributing meaningfully to societal health and well-being, including Brendan Gleeson, Saint Mother Teresa, President Mary McAleese, Christina Noble and Niall Breslin (‘Bressie’).

Dr Diana Mason, a globally respected nurse leader and advocate, was also honoured at the ceremony in recognition of her outstanding contributions to nursing leadership and health policy. Throughout her career, Mason has demonstrated how nurses can effectively influence public policy, shape health systems and clearly articulate the value of nursing to a nation’s health and wellbeing.

The Honorary Fellowship of the Faculty recognises Dr Diana Mason’s legacy as a mentor, strategist and champion for nursing’s voice in policy making, one that continues to empower nurse leaders globally to drive systemic change.

Brendan Courtney was recognised for his long-standing commitment to improving understanding and equity in health and social care in Ireland and for using his platform to open conversations around equality, diversity and inclusion in care settings. The award honours his contribution towards highlighting issues including home-care provision, the challenges faced by unpaid carers and the importance of dignity and support across the lifespan.

Mary Godfrey, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, RCSI said: “Diana Mason has and continues to exemplify visionary leadership in nursing and healthcare. Her scholarship focuses on health policy and what can be learned from nurse-designed models of care. She consistently champions the nursing profession to lead at the highest level and influence policy in ways that have a lasting impact.

“She has gained widespread recognition for her influence on health, health policy and politics through radio and written publications over many decades. Diana is passionate about empowering nurses to develop the crucial tools to share their knowledge and perspective with the public through media as part of their social responsibility. We are proud to honour her remarkable contributions with this Honorary Fellowship.”

Professor Mark White, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, RCSI said: “Brendan has consistently used his voice to champion understanding, equity and inclusion within health and social care. His work sparks conversation, challenges assumptions, and encourages the kind of reflection and action that is central to the mission of nursing and midwifery. We are proud to recognise his contribution with this Honorary Fellowship.”

Commenting ahead of the ceremony, Brendan Courtney said: “It is a huge honour and privilege to receive the Honorary Fellowship of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery from RCSI. I am beyond grateful for this recognition which I share wholeheartedly with my family, for allowing me access to our story so that we might shed light on patient and family advocacy. I would like to make sure that this incredible opportunity continues to highlight the role of carers and family carers and that they might also be recognised and appreciated for their invaluable role in society.”

The Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery hosted its 45th Annual International Research and Education Conference on February 25 and 26 this week. The conference, which is the oldest nursing and midwifery conference in Europe, has a reputation for the contemporary relevance of its themes and content, the quality of its keynote and concurrent speakers and as both a scholarly and social event within the nursing community.

The theme of this year's conference is 'Nursing and Midwifery: Transforming Traditions, Evolving Systems, Redefining Healthcare’. At its heart, this year’s conference was about the transformative role of nursing and midwifery in shaping the future of healthcare – whether it is challenging existing systems, breaking down traditional silos, embracing technology, working across disciplines, or finding ways to provide more effective, accessible and sustainable care.