Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan is to step down from his role to take up a new post in Trinity, the Department of Health has announced.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and Provost Linda Doyle announced today that Holohan will take up the position of Professor of Public Health Strategy and Leadership this summer. Doyle said the role will not be attached to one school or discipline, but will be a cross-faculty position.
Doyle said in a press statement: “Trinity is here to make things better and the university has a long tradition of working with health services in this area. Dr Holohan has become a household name for his service to the country over the past two years but there is plenty that still needs to be done to protect Ireland from future pandemics.”
“We’re excited that he will be working with other academic colleagues in Trinity to learn the lessons of COVID and prepare for these future challenges”, Doyle added. “Dr Holohan will not be attached to a single School or Discipline within Trinity. Instead, his role will traverse the Faculties of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences and Health Sciences, recognising the complexity and scope of population health challenges in the modern era.”
Holohan emerged as a significant public figure in Ireland over the course of the pandemic. He was a familiar face in the media from his appearances at press briefings. He chaired the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), which was set up just before the first cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Ireland.
However, he has not appeared in the media or been active on social media for several weeks. He recommended at the end of last month that NPHET be wound down in favour of a new structure to advise the Minister for Health on public health matters.
Health Minister Donnelly added in a press statement: “Since his appointment as Chief Medical Officer in December 2008, Dr Holohan has made a significant and lasting impact on health in Ireland. Throughout his time as CMO, Tony has used his public health leadership ability, alongside his many other skills and insights, to inform and influence decisions at the highest level in order to protect public health.”
“Throughout the pandemic his invaluable advice to me, and to the government has shaped our response to COVID-19, and I witnessed first-hand his unwavering dedication to protecting the health of the people of Ireland. He will play a critical role in applying his knowledge and skills to the development of the next generation of thinking and practice in public health, and I wish Tony all the best in this new and exciting chapter in his career.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin thanked Holohan for his service following the announcement.
Thank you @CMOIreland Tony Holohan for your outstanding service to the Irish people, during the pandemic, and over 21 years in the CMO office.
Your dedication, and steadfast advice was crucial to Ireland’s response, and saved lives.
Every success in your new role at @tcddublin
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 25, 2022
Holohan said he was “very excited” about the new role: “It has been a great privilege for me to serve as Chief Medical Officer and to have had an opportunity to be directly involved in issues of great importance and relevance to the health of the people of Ireland. In particular, these past two years have presented extreme challenges to public health globally and I have been honoured to work alongside exceptional colleagues in the Department of Health, the HSE, the wider health service and across Government. During this time, I have witnessed the dedication of colleagues to protecting the health and wellbeing of people across Ireland.”
“I look forward with energy and enthusiasm to working with the Provost of Trinity College Dublin and her team, and through this to continue to contribute to improving public health policy, practice and outcomes”, he said.
“Now more than ever, a strong focus on public health protection and preparedness for health emergencies is required. I will seek to use this opportunity to deepen relationships and collaborations including with other universities and agencies, with the WHO and the various agencies of the EU. So much has happened in public health in recent years – together we have much to learn and much to gain.”
Holohan qualified as a doctor in 1991, with a degree from University College Dublin. He was appointed as Chief Medical Officer in December 2008. Prior to that he served as Deputy Chief Medical Officer from 2001.
