Tony Holohan to step down as Ireland's Chief Medical Officer
This is as he takes on a new role at Trinity College Dublin.
It has been revealed Dr Tony Holohan will be stepping down as Ireland's Chief Medical Officer.
On Friday (25 March), the Department of Health announced that Dr Holohan has been appointed as Professor of Public Health Strategy and Leadership at Trinity College Dublin and will be taking up the role in July of this year.
In a statement on the Government's website, Dr Holohan said serving as Chief Medical Officer has been a "great privilege".
"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," he added.
"During this time, I have witnessed the dedication of colleagues to protecting the health and wellbeing of people across Ireland.
"I am very excited by this new opportunity, and 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.
"I look forward to using my experience, knowledge and skills to enable Trinity College Dublin to make a leading contribution to strengthening the knowledge and practice of public health leadership in Ireland.
"Now more than ever, a strong focus on public health protection and preparedness for health emergencies is required."
The Chief Medical Officer @CMOIreland has been appointed as Professor of Public Health Strategy and Leadership at Trinity College Dublin. Dr Holohan will take up the role on 1 July 2022.
More info: https://t.co/VK7jSOKgL3 https://t.co/pqOY1bDFqW— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) March 25, 2022
Dr Holohan was appointed Deputy Chief Medical Officer in 2001, before becoming Chief Medical Officer in 2008.
He became a household name in Ireland for chairing the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), the group that provided expert advice for the State's responses to the Covid pandemic before it disbanded last month.
Following the announcement, Taoiseach Micheál Martin thanked Dr Holohan for "more than two decades of outstanding and dedicated service to the people of Ireland in the field of public health".
"His steadfast assured advice, and willingness to communicate over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic undoubtedly helped saved lives, and kept Ireland safe during an exceptionally challenging two years," he added.
"His work chairing the NPHET, his professionalism, and calm and personable nature gave us all the assurance we needed during the pandemic.
"I wish him and his family the very best of luck for the future."
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
Meanwhile, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said Dr Holohan's "invaluable advice" shaped the country's response to Covid.
"I witnessed first-hand his unwavering dedication to protecting the health of the people of Ireland," he stated.
"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."
Since his appointment as Chief Medical Officer in 2008, Dr Holohan has made a huge and lasting impact on health in Ireland. Throughout the pandemic his advice to Government has shaped our response to Covid and I witnessed first-hand his unwavering dedication.
— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) March 25, 2022
Main image via Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie
