Conference Agenda
*Booking page for individual delegates, businesses who wish to network with delegates on the day should enquire about exhibition space by email to info@mrii.ie
| Time | Event |
| 12.00pm – 12.45pm | Arrival, networking lunch and visit exhibitors |
12.45pm – 1.05pm | Welcome & Opening Address – Laura Dowling MPSI, ‘Fabulous Pharmacist, CEO Fabuwellness |
| 1.05pm – 2.00pm | The sky is no longer the limit: Dr Norah Patten, Citizen Scientist-Astronaut Candidate |
| 2.00pm – 2.15pm | MRII Examination 2023 Presentations |
| 2.15pm – 3.45pm | Using a personal strengths based approach to re-energise and unlock personal potential: A workshop with Connie Merrick, ACC, Professional Coach and Strengths Profile Practitioner Participants will receive a link to a free starter strengths profile assessment 2/3 weeks prior to the event. It is highly recommended that you complete this. It will take approximately 20 minutes for you to discover your top 3 realised strengths, 3 unrealised strengths, 2 learned behaviours and 1 weakness. You will need to bring this profile with you to the workshop. |
| 3.45pm – 4.15pm | Networking break and visit exhibitors |
| 4.15pm – 5.00pm | Dr Illona Duffy, National Director of Continued Medical Education (CME) ICGP: in conversation with Shane Coleman, Moderator/Newstalk |
Dr. Norah Patten, Scientist-Astronaut Candidate:
Dr Norah Patten is a faculty member at the International Space University and is a citizen scientist-astronaut candidate with Project PoSSUM (Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere). An aeronautical engineering graduate from University of Limerick Norah is an award winning STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) advocate and ambassador and is a competent communicator with radio, television and public speaking experience. Norah has participated in several citizen science campaigns including microgravity research flights, spacesuit testing and evaluation and spacecraft egress
“The sky is no longer the limit” Hear how since the age of 11 after a family trip to NASA in Cleveland Ohio, Norah has been obsessed with space. In this talk, she will share some of her experiences of progressing the impossible dream of one day getting to space. Norah will talk about her experiences in this exciting field and some of the STEM initiatives she has created to bring Ireland along on this adventure. Experiences including spacesuit testing, spacecraft egress, microgravity flights, high-g flights, hypoxia training and more.
Connie Merrick, ACC, Professional Coach and Strengths Profile Practitioner
Connie is an International Coaching Federation accredited Professional Coach and accredited Strengths Profile Practitioner. Having had a rewarding 30 years’ career with a global pharmaceutical company, Connie has a keen understanding of the complexities of the Pharma industry, is very familiar with the challenges and dynamics of cross functional teamwork whilst also meeting the needs of external stakeholders. On transitioning from the Pharma industry, Connie established her own coaching practice and is founder and director of Connie Merrick Coaching Ltd.
Offering a professional, authentic, and impactful coaching service to clients, Connie partners with them to deepen their awareness, improve their performance and enhance their quality of life. Her successful sales career of over 30 years was built on excellent communication skills, in particular, active listening , powerful questioning skills and a very good intuition, and this in combination with a calm and non-judgemental nature led Connie to Professional Coaching.
Dr Illona Duffy, National Director of Continued Medical Education (CME) ICGP
Illona graduated in 1993 from RCSI, Dublin and returned to Monaghan in 1998 to join her father in Swan Park Surgery, working with him until he retired from full time practice in 2021 at the age of 86. She is clinical lead of the Swan Park Surgery which has 5 full time and 1 part-time GPs and a GP trainee. Involved in medical education for many years as a GP trainer and CME tutor Illona also provides placements to undergraduate medical students.
She has recently been appointed as National Director of CME with the ICGP. The CME network provides small group peer-based learning nationwide through a network of 41 tutors. The network not only provides education based on local and national needs but provides vital support to GPs nationally.
Illona has been the Medical Director of NEDOC, the GP out-of-hours service for the Northeast region and north County Dublin since 2016. This role involves the clinical supervision of the GPs working in the service, creation of clinical protocols and managing medication stock and best prescribing amongst the GP group. Illona is a regular contributor to both regional and national media discussing medical issues. She was involved in a recent television series on Virgin 1, The Clinic for Well People.
A mother of 4 with 2 dogs, a cat and a rabbit to add to the daily fun of life.
Moderator: Shane Coleman, Newstalk
Shane Coleman is presenter of Newstalk Breakfast. He is a former Political Editor of the Sunday Tribune and was previously that newspaper’s Business Editor. As well as being an award winning journalist, he is the author of four books on politics.
Look back at 2019
Check our gallery page for 2019 event photos.
Check here for a video summary of the 2019 event.
Any company wishing to attend the trade exhibition that will run in conjunction with our 2023 National Conference should email here.