MPharm Students Begin Academic Year with Orientation and Business Seminar
MPharm students at the School of Pharmacy began the academic year with the MPharm Orientation and Business Seminar on 7 September 2026.
The seminar brought together pharmacy professionals working across community pharmacy, business, industry, professional leadership and healthcare innovation, giving students an opportunity to hear first-hand about career pathways and developments across the profession.
Speakers included Martin Hynes, McCabes Pharmacy; Laura Romero and Stephen Duggan, Pharmaconex; Clare Fitzell, Irish Pharmacy Union; Thomas McDonald, JPA Brenson Lawlor; Shane O’Neill and Danielle Gillen, Uniphar; Louisa Power, APPEL; Patrick Grace, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine; and Laura Dillon, HSE Spark Innovation Programme. Topics ranged from the future of community pharmacy and pharmacy ownership and finance to careers across industry, professional practice and healthcare innovation.
Dr Aoife Fleming, MPharm Year Coordinator, said:
“The MPharm Business Seminar is a highlight of the academic year, with inspiring presentations from pharmacy colleagues across diverse sectors sharing their experience and advice with our MPharm students. The presentations highlighted the value of mentorship, forming connections and excellence in patient-centred care at the core of a pharmacist career.”
The seminar concluded with the MPharm student prize-giving, presented by Professor Abina Crean, Head of the School of Pharmacy.
School of Pharmacy Prizes
- Excellence in Clinical Pharmacy — Eimear Hickey (sponsored by Pharmaconex)
- Excellence in Pharmaceutical Chemistry — Eimear Hickey (sponsored by McCabes Pharmacy)
- Excellence in Pharmacology — Helen Nyhan (sponsored by JPA Brenson Lawlor)
- Excellence in Pharmaceutics — Louise Cantwell (sponsored by JPA Brenson Lawlor)
- Acorn to Mighty Oak (Most Improved Academic Performance) — Emer Heery (sponsored by Cloyne Pharmacy)
The School of Pharmacy congratulates all of the 2026 prize winners and thanks the speakers and sponsors for their continued support of MPharm students as they prepare for their future careers in pharmacy.
If you are interested in learning more about these scholarships and prizes, please visit College of Medicine and Health's Scholarships and Prizes webpage.
