Mayo man wins University of Galway Alumnus award for Medicine

He is deemed the father of Intensive Care in Ireland: Dermot Phelan has been credited for decades of outstanding work in medical care. His alma mater Galway University presented Phelan with the alumni award for medicine 2024.

The Clare Island native Phelan graduated from Galway University in 1974 and started extensive training in Anaesthesiology and intensive care afterwards. In 1987, Phelan became the first president of the Intensive Care Society of Ireland. He spearheaded the development of specially trained intensive care doctors and 24/7 rosters in all major hospitals. 

Phelan's work played a big role in Irish hospitals being better prepared for the Covid epidemic. It contributed to the favourable Covid outcomes in Ireland and was thus instrumental to the award, this year, from the University of Galway as its Alumnus of the Year (2024) for Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

"The Alumni Awards serve as a tribute to the contributions and accomplishments of the University’s 128,000 graduates across the globe, recognising those who have made significant impacts on local, national, and international levels in various fields," Galway University on its website: The award "is a testament to the quality of education and the nurturing environment provided by University of Galway that our alumni continue to inspire and create positive change in their communities".

Have a look and watch a video with Dermot Phelan on the university's website here.

Dermot Phelan and his wife, Marguerite at award ceremony