Programme
We are proud to announce the schedule of speakers for the upcoming Waterford Surgical October Meeting. Please note that the programme is subject to change.
Programme Agenda
Welcome
XXXV Waterford Surgical October Meeting
- Saturday, 10 October 2025
Theme: “Service Developments: Adapting to Modern Practice”
| Time | Speaker |
|---|---|
| 9.20am-9.30am | Welcome Professor Peter Neary |
Plenary Session 1 (9.30am - 11.40am) - Advances & Evolution of Subspecialty Care
Chairs
- Mr. Junaid Naqeeb, Consultant Colorectal & General Surgeon, University Hospital Waterford
- Mr. Seamus Murphy, Consultant Breast & General Surgeon, University Hospital Waterford
| Time | Speaker |
|---|---|
| 9.30am - 9.50am | “Considerations in Providing Paediatric Surgery Services outside Paediatric Only Hospitals” Mr. Emmet Andrews, Consultant General & Colorectal Surgeon, Cork University Hospital |
| 9.50am - 9.55am | Discussion |
| 9.55am - 10.15am | “The Vision of a Modern Pelvic Floor Unit” Ms. Maria Whelan, Consultant General & Colorectal Surgeon, Tallaght University Hospital |
| 10.15am - 10.20am | Discussion |
| 10.20am - 10.40am | “Modern Management of Abdominal Wall Hernias” Mr. David Layfield, Consultant Intestinal Failure & Colorectal Surgeon, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust |
| 10.40am - 10.45am | Discussion |
| 10.45am - 11.05am | "The Future of Breast Surgery" Professor Arnie Hill, Professor and Chair of Surgery in RCSI, Beaumont & Dean of Medical Programmes, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences |
| 11.05am - 11.10am | Discussion |
| 11.10am - 11.40am | Break / Visit Trade Stands/ Visit Poster Exhibition |
Plenary Session 2 (11.40am - 1.55pm) Technological Research & Training
Chairs
- Dr. Vida Hamilton, National Clinical Lead for Medical Devices and former Regional Clinical Director for the Dublin and South East Region, HSE / Consultant Anaesthesiologist, University Hospital Waterford
- Mr. Ivan Ivanovski, Consultant General Surgeon, Wexford General Hospital
| Time | Speaker |
|---|---|
| 11.40am - 12pm | “Artificial Intelligence: What the Surgeon needs to know” Professor Micheal O'Riordain, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, Mercy University Hospital, Cork |
| 12pm - 12.05pm | Discussion |
| 12.05pm - 12.25pm | “Simulation and Training Needs for Future Surgeons” Ms. Dara O'Keeffe, Director of Surgical Simulation and Skills, National Surgical and Clinical Skills Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland |
| 12.25pm - 12.30pm | Discussion |
| 12.30pm - 12.50pm | “Surgical Research in the Modern Era” Dr. Czara Kennedy, Vice Chair of the Irish Forum for Surgical Research (IFSR) |
| 12.50pm - 12.55pm | Discussion |
| 12.55pm - 1.55pm | Break / Visit Trade Stands/ Visit Poster Exhibition Irish Surgical Training Group (ISTG) Meeting – Board Room |
Research Session (1.55pm - 3.35pm) Research Session
Chairs
- Professor Ronan Cahill, Consultant General & Colorectal Surgeon, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
- Mr. Fiachra Cooke, Consultant Colorectal & General Surgeon, University Hospital Waterford
- Mr. Dara Kavanagh, Consultant General & Colorectal Surgeon, Tallaght & St. James's Hospital
| Time | Speaker |
|---|---|
| 1.55pm - 2.05pm | The William O'Keeffe Lecture “Learning from Obesity Medicine to Improve Quality of Life in Cancer Survivorship” Dr. Sarah Cooney, Clinical Research Facility, St James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland |
| 2.05pm - 3.05pm | William O’Keeffe Prize Presentations (parallel session) Theatre G18 |
Chairs
- Professor Alan Molloy, Orthopaedic Consultant, National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh & St. Vincent’s University Hospital
- Mr. Paul McKenna, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, University Hospital Waterford
- Mr. Petr Jemelik, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, University Hospital Waterford
| Time | Speaker |
|---|---|
| 2.05pm - 3.05pm | Joe O'Beirne Orthopaedic Prize Presentations (Parallel Session) Theatre G19 |
| 3.05pm - 3.35pm | Break / Visit Trade Stands/ Visit Poster Exhibition |
Plenary Session 3 (3.35pm - 5.20pm) - Complexities & Innovation of Modern Practice
Chairs
- Ms. Carolyn Cullinane, Consultant Colorectal & General Surgeon, Limerick University Hospital Professor
- David O’Briain, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, University Hospital Waterford
| Time | Speaker |
|---|---|
| 3.35pm - 3.55pm | “Developing Robotic Services & Future Directions” Mr. Liam Devane, Consultant General, Colon & Rectal Surgeon, University Hospital Waterford |
| 3.55pm - 4pm | Discussion |
| 4pm - 4.20pm | “The National Orthopaedic Oncology Service in Ireland” Professor Alan Molloy, Orthopaedic Consultant, National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh & St. Vincent’s University Hospital |
| 4.20pm - 4.25pm | Discussion |
| 4.25pm - 4.55pm | The Gordon Watson Lecture Introduction Ms. Carolyn Cullinane “When the Abdomen Fails: Intestinal Failure & Abdominal Wall Reconstruction - The Belfast Experience” Mr. William Wallace, Consultant General & Colorectal Surgeon, Belfast Health & Social Care Trust |
| 4.55pm - 5pm | Discussion |
| 5pm - 5.10pm | Presentation of Prize Awards |
| 5.10pm - 5.20pm | Closing Remarks Professor Peter Neary |
Download the full outline programme
Drinks Reception and Gala Dinner
- Where: The Strand Inn (Eircode X91E295)
- When: 7.30pm-11.00pm, Sat 10 Oct 2026