14 Oct 2005

Prestigious Award for Dr Catherine Molloy

Dr Catherine Molloy has been awarded the prestigious Stearne medal from the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. There have only been two previous recipients of the prestigious Stearne medal. The award ceremony took place in University College Cork on 7 October.  The award ceremony coincided with a special medical scientific symposium hosted by the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC) and held in celebration of the 350th anniversary of the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland. The citation for Dr Molloy was read by Professor Fergus Shanahan, Director, APC (see below).

Citation for Dr Catherine Molloy:

Dr Catherine Molloy is recognised across Cork, Munster and beyond as an important figure for her service to medicine and to her community. She is a graduate of the National University of Ireland, Galway and is highly respected for exemplary care and attention to her patients during her years in family practice in Cork. However, she is perhaps best known for her effectiveness in other roles: as a Governor of University College Cork, as a staunch supporter of our medical school, and as chairperson of the Southern Health Board.

She has demonstrated truly remarkable dedication to patient welfare in the face of difficult economic and organisational circumstances. An important example of Dr Molloy's service to her community has been her selfless and tireless work on behalf of the Munster Blood Transfusion Service. Her leadership in this area reminds us that individuals do make a difference. More than any other individual, Dr Catherine Molloy succeeded in uniting the medical profession in Munster at a time when it seemed our cause was hopeless and against a tide of opposing bureaucracy.

Her leadership style is understated with hours of hard work behind the scenes. She exhibits what is probably the single most important characteristic required for success in any important mission: perseverance. This continues to inspire us. Her guiding principle has, at all times, been patient welfare. Along the way, she manages to lead a full life outside of medicine: she is a mother, a supporter of the Arts, a member of Mensa, and is accomplished in several competitive sports at inter-provincial and inter-varsity levels.

Much of the good that is done by clinicians goes un-noticed, unrecognised or unappreciated. So much is hidden. So much is left unsaid. Therefore, I am grateful to the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland for taking the opportunity to mark the contributions of Dr Catherine Molloy to medicine and to society in a special way. Dr Molloy is a hugely popular figure in Munster medicine and she has our enthusiastic support and respect on the occasion of the award of the Stearne medal.

Read by Professor Fergus Shanahan on the occasion of the award of the Stearne medal to Dr Catherine Molloy by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland at University College Cork, Friday, 7 October 2005.

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