RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences' summer conferring ceremonies continued today, as the School of Medicine Class of 2026 celebrated their conferring at Dublin’s Convention Centre.

Graduates were conferred across the Honours Degrees of Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Obstetrics (MB, BCh, BAO) and LRCP and SI. Candidates were presented by the Vice Chancellor of RCSI, Professor Cathal Kelly, and conferred by RCSI President, Professor Michael Kerin.

Each year, RCSI’s medicine conferring celebrates the largest number of medical graduates in Ireland. This year continued the tradition, with 352 medical students graduating from the Class of 2026.

The graduands were addressed by Dr Tait Shanafelt who received RCSI’s highest academic award – an Honorary Doctorate. Dr Tait Shanafelt is the Chief Wellness Officer, Associate Dean and Jeanie and Stewart Richie Professor of Medicine at Stanford University. Dr Shanafelt’s is a haematologist/oncologist whose clinical work focuses on the care of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at RCSI, Professor Tracy Robson, introduced the Honorary Doctorate, saying: “Over 25 years ago, at a time when burnout was viewed as an individual failing, Dr Shanafelt’s research produced the first rigorous, large‑scale evidence demonstrating its systemic nature and its profound implications for patient safety, professionalism, workforce sustainability and organisational performance.

“Through landmark studies in the United States encompassing physicians, surgeons, oncologists, medical students, residents and nurses, he generated the data that compelled institutions to act, moving clinician well-being from the margins to the strategic priorities of healthcare leadership worldwide. Dr Shanafelt’s work has transformed our global understanding of clinician well-being.”

Professor Kelly congratulated the graduands on their success: “This conferring ceremony is a wonderful tribute to the tireless dedication and passion our graduates have shown throughout their medical training. It is an immense privilege for our RCSI community to stand with you today and celebrate this major milestone. As you take this first step in your medical careers, we are very proud to have been part of your journey, and we look forward to watching you shape the future of healthcare for many years to come.”

RCSI President Professor Michael Kerin congratulated the newly graduated doctors, saying: “Today’s ceremony stands as a proud recognition of your deep commitment, dedication, and clinical excellence. The qualifications you have received carry a legacy of world-class education, ensuring you are highly regarded and equipped to excel wherever in the world you choose to practice, and, today you join a large global network of RCSI graduates who share our mission to ‘educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health”.

The graduates were also addressed by the Class of 2026 valedictorian, Eve Lehane.