Committee

Caroline has worked as a Student Health Nurse in ATU Sligo (formerly IT Sligo) for the past 12 years and had been part of the Irish Student Health Association (ISHA) committee during that time. Caroline was elected to be President of ISHA in April 2023. She graduated from NUIG in 2000 with a BSc in Nursing and has worked in a variety of settings including the Emergency Department, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, cardiology, and cardiothoracic surgery.

In recent years, Caroline transitioned to working in the community, initially as a practice nurse, then as a Psoriasis Nurse Advisor and now in Student Health. The skills gained in previous roles have contributed greatly to her work as a Student Health Nurse. This experience combined with training in IFPA family planning, BASHH sexual health, eating disorders and in dermatology all enhance her current practice.

Caroline completed training last year to become a Sexual Health Advisor and will commence Medicinal Nurse Prescribing in January 2024. Caroline believes working as a Student Health Nurse is a privilege which gives a great a sense of achievement, associated with seeing students learn, grow and succeed.

Dr Robert Scully is the Director of the Student Health Service in Maynooth University and Vice-President ISHA.  He enjoys all aspects of General Practice and has special interests in medical education, minor surgery and sports medicine.

Dr. Serena O Connell was elected to the ISHA Executive Committee at the 2020 AGM. She held the position of ISHA President from 2022- 2023.

Serena works as a GP in the Student Health Centre in University of Galway. Having graduated in Medicine from University of Galway in 2006 and following her internship year, Serena worked in Emergency Medicine in Ireland and Australia for a number of years where she gained significant experience across a wide number of specialities.

Serena entered the Ballinasloe GP Training scheme in 2010, graduating as a GP (MICGP) in 2014.

With a continued passion for emergency medicine Serena volunteers as a medic at various motorbike rallies around Ireland. Equipped with emergency medical supplies she rides alongside the other motorcyclists and is usually the first on scene if there is an incident.

Serena's areas of special interest in medicine include women's health (DRCOG London 2011), dermatology, oncology and she has a particular interest in mental health.

Serena, who really enjoys working at the Student Health Unit at University of Galway, says "there is never a dull moment and I consider it a privilege to be involved in the care of our emerging generations"!

Niamh has been working as a medical secretary for the past 14 years. She joined the Student health unit at University of Galway in 2019. She is currently vice-treasurer with ISHA.

Amy ,has been working as a Senior Executive  Assistant  at Maynooth University Student Health Centre since 2020.

Karen completed her Nursing training in the Adelaide Hospital, Dublin and was involved in the transfer of the Hospital’s final patients when it was absorbed into the Tallaght Hospital in 1998. She spent the next 10 years in AMNCH, working in the Acute Stroke Unit and A&E, before side-stepping in to General Practice in 2008, and has not looked back since!  Karen has furthered her studies over the years, including BSc Nursing Management (UCD), Skin Cancer Screening & Dermoscopy (UK), Osteoporosis screening & DXA scanning, ICGP cert in Diabetes Care, IFPA Family Planning Course, HSE Sexual Health Course and Cert in Nurse Prescribing (TCD). She joined the College Health Team in Trinity College in 2015 and feels very privileged to be working there – the students’ energy and enthusiasm are like a breath of fresh air!

Dr. Mary O Brien joined the ISHA Executive Committee in 2022. She graduated in medicine in UCD in 2000, and worked in emergency medicine in Australia for 2 years after her internship. After this, she spent 18 months working with MSF in South Sudan, returning to complete her GP training in Ireland and the UK.

Like most Cork people, Mary eventually returned back home, and has been working as a GP in Cork since 2007. Mary has been working in Student Health in UCC for 15 years. She has a special interest in women's health and contraception.