St Lukes Symposium - Royal College of Physicians of Ireland Annual Conference 2026

Up to 6 CPD credits pending approval

Our flagship St Luke’s Symposium brings together national and international leaders at the forefront of clinical advancement, healthcare education, and global health.

Essential for doctors at all career stages, this conference is an opportunity to engage with the ideas and innovations shaping the future of medicine, connect with colleagues and peers, and contribute to the conversations shaping the future of healthcare. This is an associated event of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Our programme includes Irish health service leaders; Derek Tierney, Secretary General of Department at Health, Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, HSE, and Prof Ellen Crushell, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health.

International perspectives will be provided by keynote speakers: Dr Robert A. Harrington, a cardiologist and dean of medicine at Cornell University New York advancing the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in biomedical discovery, including cardiovascular health; and Dr Paula Rochon, a geriatrician whose commitment to addressing the under-representation of older women in medical studies drives her work as director of women’s health research at Mount Sinai Hospital Toronto.

Current shifts in the Irish landscape will be magnified and explored, as we consider evolving opportunities in training and education, unpack the findings from a new national survey examining how we sustain a medical workforce that thrives, and share insights and experiences on the use of AI in Healthcare. Speakers include Prof Cathy Quinlan, Director Research, Innovation and Partnerships, CHI, and Mr Damian McCallion, HSE Chief Technology and Transformation Officer and Deputy CEO. We will also hear perspectives from the regional health areas, with contributions from regional clinical directors and regional executive officers.

Putting a spotlight on prevention in health, our speakers will discuss the social determinants of health, population level physical inactivity, and reducing tobacco and alcohol harms. You will hear from; Prof Norah Campbell, Trinity Business School, Prof Catherine B. Woods, Chair, Healthy UL, Dr Paul Kavanagh, Public Health Medicine Consultant, and Prof Frank Murray, Chair, European Health Alliance on Alcohol.

The ever-popular quick-fire Clinical Pearls session returns this year with thought-provoking and informative presentations from Dr John Fitzsimons, Consultant Paediatrician, CHI, Prof Joseph Keane, Consultant Respiratory Physician, St James’s Hospital, and Dr Aoife Laffan, Consultant Neurologist, St James’s Hospital.

22 October 2026 | 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Join us in person or online

Agenda at a Glance

Here's an overview of what's happening at the event!

Morning Sessions

08:30 - 09:00
Registration
09:00 - 09:05
Opening Remarks
Prof Anthony O'Regan
09:05 - 09:45
Opportunities in Training, Medicine and my Career
Dr Bearach Reynolds, Dr Paul O Brien, Dr Rachel McNamara & Dr Mary T. O’Neill
09:45 - 10:15
Keynote: Dr Robert Harrington
Data Science, AI and Innovation in Cardiovascular Health and Medicine: What's Old Is New
10:15 - 10:45
Coffee Break
10:45 - 11:45
Digital Health, AI and Innovation
Prof Cathy Quinlan, Mr. Damine McCallion & Mr. Derek Tierney
11:45 - 12:30
The Future of Healthcare in Ireland- Reshaping Healthcare delivery and Training
Dr Colm Henry & Prof Trevor Duffy, Panel Discussion
12:30 - 13:30
Lunch