College of Medicine and Health Welcome Back Olympian Gold Medalist Paul O’Donovan

1 Sep 2022

UCC final year medical student Paul O’Donovan took a break from rowing and was back in scrubs this week to attend lectures here at College of Medicine and Health.

It is a busy busy month for the Olympian gold medalist who said he is putting time aside for study whilst also training hard to compete at 2022 World Rowing Championships (September 18^th – 25^th) in Racice in the Czech Republic where he and fellow reigning champion Fintan McCarthy will defend their title.

Asked how he combines studying for a medical degree with world champion rowing Paul said he doesn’t think about it too much.

“You make a plan and stick to it. Be efficient about your time I would say”.

UCC President John O’Halloran said: “it is a great honour to welcome Paul, a national treasure, back to UCC”.

Head of the College of Medicine and Health Professor Helen Whelton wished Paul the very best both for his study and also the World Championships later this month – “not easy to combine final year medical studies with world champion rowing. We support Paul in any way we can.”

Paul is one of over 4,500 students attending the College of Medicine and Health which provides programmes for six schools Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing and Midwifery, Public Health, Clinical Therapies and Pharmacy.

The College is the primary academic partner for the ten hospitals in the South, South Western Region.

While final year medical students are back busy on campus this week most UCC students return to studies on September 12^th with first year students starting on the 26^th September.