Recent News & Events
Remembering the Legacy of a Beloved Clinician, Educator and Trailblazer
Prof Tony Ryan dedicated his life to medicine, education, and the betterment of his community. His recent passing in 2023 was a tremendous loss to the Department of Paediatrics & Child Health at UCC and to the academic community as a whole. His contributions as a clinician, educator, scholar and trailblazer will forever be remembered.
Prof Tony Ryan dedicated his life to medicine, education, and the betterment of his community. His recent passing in 2023 was a tremendous loss to the Department of Paediatrics & Child Health at UCC and to the academic community as a whole. His contributions as a clinician, educator, scholar and trailblazer will forever be remembered.
Prof Tony Ryan dedicated his life to medicine, education, and the betterment of his community. His recent passing in 2023 was a tremendous loss to the Department of Paediatrics & Child Health at UCC and to the academic community as a whole. His contributions as a clinician, educator, scholar and trailblazer will forever be remembered.
Prof Ryan was a true force for good, known for his generosity, kindness, and gentle nature. He was a visionary who promoted change and worked tirelessly to make other clinicians understand that being a doctor is not just about caring for patients, but also being a listener, a scientist, and an advocate. He challenged everyone he interacted with to think outside the box, but always did so with a great sense of humour and kindness.
Tony's impact on medical education was profound and far-reaching. He was a stalwart in support of teaching and learning, not just for the undergraduate medical program, but also for post-graduate research students, medical education, and teaching and learning in higher education. He had a great interest in the arts in education and did groundbreaking work on visual thinking strategies. He was one of the first to embrace the movement from STEM to STEAM at UCC.
As a clinician, he was thoughtful and gentle, with a calm and assured presence that provided comfort to parents. He was an inclusive leader, valuing the opinions and observations of everyone he worked with, whether they were doctors, nurses, students, or parents.
Prof Ryan's commitment to medical education included the introduction of the neonatal resuscitation program, PALS, and the Stable program. He was a renowned researcher, receiving recognition on the 2023 Claivate highly cited researcher list, one of only 33 researchers listed in Ireland. It was a fitting testament to the significance of his contribution to the field of neonatology.
Besides working for UCC and the HSE, Tony also did a lot of charity work in Sudan and Latin America. He was a role model to many other senior academics who followed in his wake, being the first professor to undertake the Postgraduate certificate in Teaching and Higher Education in 2004 and one of the first graduates of the Master’s program in 2008.
Prof Ryan's legacy will continue to inspire future generations of medical professionals and educators. His generosity, kindness, and dedication to his community will forever be remembered. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his influence will continue to impact Irish Paediatrics for years to come. Rest in peace, Professor Anthony Ryan.