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 If any delegate wishes to book accommodation at the venue, please see below for rate.
| Time | Event |
| 12.00pm – 12.45pm | Arrival, networking lunch and visit exhibitors |
| 12.45pm – 12.50pm | Welcome: Ms Kathleen Duffy, MRII President |
| 12.50pm – 1.05pm | Opening Address: Ms Caitriona Walsh, Country President and Managing Director, Novartis Ireland ‘Unlocking Ireland’s Potential: How Ireland Can Lead in Pharma & Healthcare’ |
| 1.05pm – 1.45pm | Prof. Derek O’Keeffe FRCPI ‘AI in Healthcare: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Path Forward’ |
| 1.45pm – 2.30pm | Hannah Craig ‘Navigating Challenge and Change’ |
| 2.30pm – 3.00pm | Networking break and visit exhibitors |
| 3.00pm – 3.15pm | Examination 2025 Presentations Dr B.D. Place Medal, supported by the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) Presentation of MRII Examination certificates, by Kathleen Duffy, MRII President. Official handover of MRII chain of office. |
| 3.15pm – 4.00pm | Dr. Brian McCullagh ‘Breathing New Life into Respiratory Care: The Evolution of Respiratory Medicine’ |
'Unlocking Ireland’s Potential: How Ireland Can Lead in Pharma & Healthcare'
This opening address explores how Ireland can maintain its competitive edge in life sciences by fostering strong partnerships between industry, academia, and government. It will highlight key enablers for investment, including clinical trial expansion, policy reforms, and digital innovation. Attendees will gain insights into how Ireland can accelerate access to medicines, attract global R&D, and position itself as a leader in pharma and healthcare innovation.
Ms Caitriona Walsh, Country President and Managing Director, Novartis Ireland
International healthcare leader with a passion for enabling innovation to improve the lives of patients and the wider healthcare system. Caitriona is Country President and Managing Director of Novartis Ireland, and is focused on strengthening and growing the company’s business in Ireland. Caitriona enables exceptional performance by working collaboratively with external stakeholders and her teams. Caitriona is also a Member of the Board of Directors and Strategy Group at the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) and was appointed by the Minister of Health to the National Clinical Trials Oversight Group, as Industry representative. Previously, Caitriona led 2 Business Units in the UK and held a number of European leadership positions, based in Switzerland. Caitriona holds a PhD in Immunology from Trinity College Dublin, BSc in Biotechnology and postgraduate qualifications in management, marketing and leadership. In 2024, the University of Galway awarded her the Alumni Award in Science, Engineering and Technology. In her free time, Caitriona is an avid reader and loves to go sea swimming in Dublin Bay or in the West of Ireland.
'Navigating Challenge and Change'
An interactive and engaging session with Ireland's first female Olympic finalist in the sport of canoeing. Navigating a kayak down roaring whitewater with millimeter precision with the ambition of securing one of only 25 spots available in the world every 4 years was Hannah's day to day challenge for 20 years. The journey was as tumultuous as the waters she paddled on; however success came when she learnt to fully embrace challenge and change harnessing resilience.
Hannah Craig, Olympian
Ireland’s first female Olympic finalist in the sport of canoeing, Hannah Craig is a fast-thinking resourceful and creative solution-finder with global lived experience. With strong leadership skills honed over years as a performance athlete, coach, ambassador, and mentor Hannah is highly effective at imparting successful strategies for personal and team achievement. Hannah has a passion for human performance, the great outdoors and positive social change and currently works with Sport Ireland.
In 2024 Hannah brought her passion for Olympic sport and high-performance knowledge to the Paris 2024 Olympics through a role with RTÉ Sport: interviewing athletes, technical and tactical analysis of their performances and co-commentating the closing ceremony.
'AI in Healthcare: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Path Forward'
Join renowned Consultant Physician, Prof. Derek O'Keeffe, for an insightful presentation on the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare. Explore the latest AI trends, discover cutting-edge applications that are improving patient engagement and health outcomes, and delve into the critical ethical and regulatory considerations. This presentation will provide valuable insights for those seeking to understand the evolving landscape of AI in healthcare.
Prof. Derek O’Keeffe FRCPI
Prof Derek O’Keeffe is a Physicianeer, who holds dual first-class honors degrees and doctorates in Medicine and Engineering. In addition he holds several gold medal awards across STEM and a first-class honors MBA degree. He was a Fulbright Scholar at Harvard, a Green Templeton Scholar at Oxford and is a graduate of the Endocrinology Clinical Fellowship at the Mayo Clinic, USA. He has multiple academic publications, biomedical patents and several international research prizes. He has previously worked with NASA placing a sleep experiment onboard the International Space Station and was their flight surgeon for a NEEMO Aquarius mission.
He is founder and director of the Health Innovation via Engineering (HIVE) Lab which develops patient centred solutions to clinical problems from bedside to bench to bedside through interdisciplinary collaboration. He has explored over 100 countries, volunteered extensively & was awarded The Outstanding Young Person of the World by Junior Chamber International. He is a Black Belt Taekwondo Instructor, Qualified Pilot, DJ, Advanced Scuba Diver, Triathlete & Six-Star Medal Marathoner. He has designed an award winning Cardiovascular themed garden for Bloom in the Phoenix Park. He is a Consultant Physician (Endocrinologist) at University Hospital Galway and is the Professor of Medical Device Technology at the University of Galway.
'Breathing New Life into Respiratory Care: The Evolution of Respiratory Medicine'
A walk through the past and present landscape of pulmonary medicine, highlighting some of the seminal discoveries and therapeutic breakthroughs that have changed the course of pulmonology. Also, a look to the future outlining some of the opportunities and innovations that lie ahead.
Dr. Brian McCullagh, Consultant Respiratory Physician
Graduated RCSI 2002 (Hons). Awarded UCD Newman Translational Research Fellowship 2009 and completed MD thesis on Growth factors in Pulmonary Hypertension in 2012. Completed specialist training (CSCST) in general and respiratory medicine 2012 and undertook post-CSCST fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care medicine at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, USA from 2012 - 2015. Appointed Chief fellow for the programme in 2014. Commenced as consultant in respiratory medicine at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (MMUH) with special interest in Pulmonary Hypertension and Tuberculosis 2015. Developed the severe asthma programme for MMUH 2019 with governance over biologic therapy. Appointed clinical director for quality and patient safety (QPS) MMUH 2021 to present date.
Moderator: Eoghan Tomás McDermott, The Communications Clinic
Eoghan Tomás McDermott is the Managing Director of The Communications Clinic. He is personal coach and advisor to a number of Chief Executives of large corporates, both indigenous and multi-national. Eoghan advises clients ranging from Cabinet Ministers to many of Ireland’s top sportspeople. Eoghan is a regular contributor on Irish media, including Today FM's The Last Word, Virgin Media's Ireland AM, as well as shows on Newstalk and RTE.
Accommodation rates at venue for delegates/exhibitors: you can avail of a rate of €169.00 B/B per room, per night, on April 8 and 9 – please quote MRII to avail of this rate.
Check our gallery page for 2024 event photos.
Any company wishing to attend the trade exhibition that will run in conjunction Pulse please email here.