The Discipline of Medical Gerontology in Trinity College Dublin Celebrates 25 Years of Excellence
On Thursday, November 14, 2024, the Discipline of Medical Gerontology marked a significant milestone—its 25th anniversary—with a celebratory event in the historic saloon of the Provost’s House at Trinity College Dublin. The occasion honoured the discipline’s history and achievements, and recognised outstanding contributions from undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Honouring a Legacy of Leadership and Innovation
Following a warm welcome by Trinity Provost Dr Linda Doyle, Prof Roman Romero-Ortuno, Head of the Discipline of Medical Gerontology in the School of Medicine, paid tribute to the visionary leadership of the late Prof Davis Coakley in establishing the department in 1999. This milestone represented the culmination of years of dedicated effort to embed Medical Gerontology into Trinity’s academic landscape, paving the way for transformative advancements in research and education to improve care for older adults.
Provost’s Address – Dr Linda Doyle
Head of Discipline Address – Prof Roman Romero-Ortuno
Inaugural Davis Coakley Undergraduate Awards:
Recognising Excellence in Professionalism and the Humanities
A highlight of the event was the presentation of the inaugural Davis Coakley undergraduate awards, established at Trinity in 2024 to recognise outstanding professionalism in the care of older people across the Faculty of Health Sciences, and the integration of the humanities in medicine:
- The Outstanding Professionalism Awards were presented by Regius Prof Rose Anne Kenny, Chair of Medical Gerontology:
- Thiago Silva (General Nursing), for his exceptional dedication during his placement on a specialist geriatric ward.
Thiago Silva receiving his award
- Orla Keane (Medicine), for her compassionate contributions to a Mind and Movement clinic.
Orla Keane accepting her award
- Daniela Izzaldinova (Physiotherapy), for successfully rehabilitating an older patient to independence despite significant challenges.
Daniela Izzaldinova receiving her award
- The Davis Coakley Medical Humanities Medal was presented by Prof Aileen Patterson, Head of the Discipline of Medical Education and coordinator of the Medicine, Health, and the Humanities module at the School of Medicine, with Prof Joseph Harbison also in attendance at the event.
- Claudia Clarke Gosalvez (Medicine), for her outstanding essay, which highlighted the vital role of the humanities in fostering reason, emotion, and empathy to improve the human condition and inspire meaningful connections between individuals.
Claudia Clarke Gosalvez receiving the inaugural Davis Coakley medal
In addition, the event included the presentation of the Disciplines’ annual Postgraduate Research Awards, presented by Prof Martine Smith,
Dean of Graduate Studies:
- Conor Reddy (PhD student), for his research on how socioeconomic
status and psychosocial stress affect immune function and ageing.
Conor Reddy receiving his award
- Eoin Duggan (PhD student), for his work on sarcopenia and orthostatic haemodynamics in FRAILMatics.
Eoin Duggan accepting his award
- Aoife McFeely (MD student), for her study on frailty using data from the Intellectual Disability Supplement to The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA).
Aoife McFeely receiving her award
Special postgraduate research awards were also presented for:
- Scientific Communication: Louise Newman (PhD student), for her
work on cerebral oxygenation in older people with coexistent supine hypertension and orthostatic hypotension, using data from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA).
Louise Newman receiving her award
- Relevance to Patient Care: Colm Mac Eochagáin (MD student), for research in Oncogeriatrics.
Colm Mac Eochagáin accepting his award
- Scientific Discovery and Impact: Lucy Chapman (MD student), for research using data from the Irish National Audit of Stroke (in absentia).
The event also included a special address by Mary Coakley, who reflected on the legacy of Prof Davis Coakley and the significance of establishing student awards in his honour at Trinity:
Mary Coakley addressing the audience
A Musical Performance
Adding the artistic dimension to the event, the Gael Winds Trio—featuring Rebecca Halliday (oboe), Conor Sheil (clarinet), and Clíona Warren (bassoon)—performed Haydn’s London Trio No. 1 in C major:
The Gael Winds Trio performing
A Celebration of Community
The event was attended by members of the Coakley family, alongside Trinity staff and clinical academic staff from affiliated teaching hospitals:
Members of the Coakley family, including Mary, Peter, Stephen, John Davis, Wanjikũ Wainaina and Áine Clancy, accompanied by Regius Prof Rose Anne Kenny and Prof. Roman Romero-Ortuno
Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof Brian O’Connell; Head of the School of Medicine, Prof Colin Doherty; Head of the School of Nursing, Prof Damien Brennan; with Prof Cathal Walsh, Professor of Biostatistics, and Prof Roman Romero-Ortuno
Prof Richard Reilly congratulating awardees
Prof James Bernard Walsh, Prof Tara Coughlan, and Prof Brian Lawlor
Prof Seán Kennelly with Prof Mary McCarron and Aoife McFeely
Matthew Gibb and Diana Burgui from the Dementia Services Information and Development Centre
Medical Gerontology Executive Officer, Siobhan Hedigan, accompanied by Prof Colin Doherty, Prof Roman Romero-Ortuno and staff from the Disciplines of Psychiatry (Executive Officer Siobhan O’Leary) and Academic Unit of Neurology (Dr Hugh Kearney and Executive Officer Kristal MacNamara)
Looking to the Future
Reflecting on the event, the Head of Discipline, Prof Roman Romero-Ortuno, said:
“Over its short history, our Discipline has achieved remarkable successes in research, teaching, and societal engagement. Together with our Trinity staff, clinical academic teams at St James’s Hospital, Tallaght University Hospital, Naas General Hospital, and Peamount Hospital continue to deliver outstanding teaching and research benefiting the care of older people. I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved and encourage continued enthusiasm, collaboration, collegiality, and dedication to the vision that brought us here. We look forward to celebrating many more anniversaries.”
