In this episode, we host our first joint interview, featuring the two co-leads of the All-Island Cancer Research Institute (AICRI), a unique initiative that brings together cancer researchers and clinicians from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Prof William Gallagher, Professor of Cancer Biology at University College Dublin; and Prof Mark Lawler, Professor of Digital Health at Queen's University Belfast, speak about innovation in oncology research, and the fascinating journey of how AICRI came about, its successes to date, and the various areas it is working in.

The conversation highlights several key themes in oncology research and innovation, including the impact of environmental factors on cancer, the importance of further commitment to cancer prevention, the need for interdisciplinary research, as well as an increased focus on cancer survivorship and quality of life, the significance of international collaborations, and the use of data in driving advancements in cancer research and patient care.

Prof Lawler and Prof Gallagher also share their personal journeys in oncology research and the motivation behind their work, emphasising the importance of collaboration, inclusivity, and patient-centred research.

Their joint interview highlights the need to break down silos and work together to address the challenges in cancer care.

Episode 06 Innovation in Healthcare podcast series

“…It's been a pleasure really to be in this area, such an exciting area and even in my short window of 15 or 20 years involved now, so many things have changed, so many things for the better in my opinion and there's a greater acceptance. So it was the challenge, the innovation, looking forward. It had everything you wanted [as a specialty] from my point of view.” - Prof Dominic A. Hegarty

In this episode we interview Prof Dominic A. Hegarty, Consultant in Pain Management and Neuromodulation at the Orthopaedic and Spine Centre, Mater Private Hospital, Cork.

Prof Hegarty has specialised in pain management for over two decades and is recognised as one of the country’s foremost interventional pain management doctors, who is constantly developing new techniques to deal with the most complex cases of pain.

He co-founded the Division of Pain Medicine in the Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine in Cork University Hospital and South infirmary and Victoria Hospital in Cork, before joining the Mater Private Hospital Cork where he was appointed as Clinical Director in 2023. Prof Hegarty is also the first formal Professor in Pain Medicine at University College Cork, the current President of the World Institute of Pain, and Clinical Director of Pain Relief Ireland.

In this podcast interview, Prof Hegarty discusses the key challenges in pain medicine, and how innovation and being open to new technologies is vital in achieving better outcomes for patients.

In particular, he discusses the evolution and success of neuromodulation and implantable devices for various pain conditions, the appropriate use of different classes of analgesics to manage pain, and the different approaches in the private and public sector.

“I think we need to collaborate not only in health; I think I get a lot of my good ideas from friends and colleagues that work outside medicine and health – engineers, computer people, business people who look at the health issues from a totally different perspective. So I think the more we can maybe step out of our comfort zone a little bit and interact with people outside pure medicine, really helps to innovate a lot.” - Prof Mary Horgan

Episode 05 innovation in Healthcare podcast series

In this episode we interview Prof Mary Horgan, one of Ireland's best known infectious diseases specialists and medical education leaders, who was recently appointed by the Government to lead the design of a new emerging health threats agency.

Prof Horgan is currently Professor of Infectious Diseases at University College Dublin, and recently completed her second term as President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, the first female in this role since its establishment in 1654, and she is a former Dean of the Medical School in University College Cork.

During her career, Prof Horgan has spearheaded the development of many medical education initiatives in Ireland, alongside a distinguished clinical and research career. Prof Horgan's work to date in this field has been instrumental in reversing the downward trend in the uptake of the HPV vaccine, being heavily involved in Ireland’s Covid-19 pandemic response, and also in tackling the HIV epidemic in Ireland.

Truly a career dedicated to innovation in infectious diseases, medical education and public health.

In this podcast, she discusses what attracted her to infectious diseases, the importance of clear and ongoing communication about public health issues, and how collaboration is key for innovation and protecting public health.