More than 80 healthcare and research professionals were conferred at RCSI’s St Stephen’s Green campus today, marking the beginning of the summer conferring ceremonies.

Celebrating their conferrals were: five Master of Pharmacy (MPharm), 25 Master of Science (MSc) in Physician Associate Studies, three Master of Science (MSc) by Research, one Master of Surgery (MCh) by Research, 13 Doctor of Medicine (MD) graduates and 42 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduates.

This year’s graduates carried out innovative studies spanning diverse areas of medical and healthcare research. Their work included enhancing regenerative outcomes in wound healing, creating genomic diagnostic criteria for epilepsy and bioengineering 3D in vitro platforms for studying tumour microenvironments.

Today’s conferring also saw candidates being awarded a MSc in Physician Associate Studies. This is the only programme of its kind in Ireland. Physician associates provide much needed medical services across a broad range of disciplines and workplaces, including hospital and surgical care, GP practices and community health services.

As part of the conferring ceremony, RCSI awarded an Honorary Doctorate to Dr Sheila Bailie Mackenzie Reith CBE, who attended the ceremony virtually and delivered a video address.

Dr Reith is a physician and innovator whose work has shaped diabetes care and medical education throughout the NHS. She co-developed the first prototype insulin pen, with findings published in The Lancet in 1981 and the first large scale clinical trial soon after.

Within two years, she helped support the launch of the first commercial insulin pen, Penject, changing how millions of people manage insulin treatment worldwide. Later, she helped to establish Scotland‘s first online, population based, diabetes registers, which the World Health Organization highlighted as a potential blueprint for diabetes management.

Dr Reith also led a national programme to advance patient education using video-based learning for patients and healthcare professionals, recognised with a National Television Award. Her distinguished work was also recognised by being awarded a CBE for services to diabetes in 2024, before receiving a Pride of Britain Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025.

Professor Cathal Kelly, Vice Chancellor of RCSI, commented on the achievements of RCSI’s newest higher degree graduates. “My sincere congratulations on your significant achievements. Today’s ceremony marks your commitment to improving and developing on your professional skills to create your desired career path in the health sciences. It is a privilege to mark this milestone with you, and I look forward to seeing the continued contribution you will make in the years ahead, whether it be in research or in healthcare.”