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PPI IgniteLaunchLeft to right: Rachel Msetfi (Dean ofFaculty of Education and Health Sciences),Imelda Doolan (Research Funding Officer,HRI), Prof Anne MacFarlane (PrimaryHealthcare Research) and Dr Jon Salsberg(GEMS Senior Lecture in Public PatientInvolvement).The launch of PPI Ignite at UL tookplace on Tuesday 20th March whenmembers of the PPI Ignite Teamcame together for a training day inPatient and Public Involvement (PPI)and Participatory Health Research(PHR).Patient and Public Involvement inhealth research is important and UL’sHealth Research Institute (HRI) havesecured funding from the HealthResearch Board (HRB) and the IrishResearch Council (IRC) to strengthenthis at the University. UL was amongfive Universities nationally to receivethe HRB funding award of 348,909to ‘Ignite’ partnerships for Public andPatient Involvement (PPI) in research.The UL team led by ProfessorAnne MacFarlane, with excellentsupport from Dr. Jon Salsberg andthe HRI core team, worked closelywithcommunitystakeholdersfrom the Limerick City CommunityDevelopment Programme and CareAlliance Ireland as well as healthsector stakeholders from UniversityHospital Limerick Patient AdvocacyLiaison Services and the HSECommunity Care office. As a result ofthis successful, co-designed bid, therewill be activities involving UL healthresearchers, community and healthsector stakeholders for training andnetworking to collaboratively setresearch priorities and progressingpolicies and procedures to furtherstrengthen the culture for PPI in UL.UL GEMS PaediatricJunior Appreciation DayProf O’Gorman hosted the first ULGEMS Paediatrics Junior AppreciationDay in CERC on January 17th 2018. ProfO’Gorman made a presentation to the90 children from An Modhscoil at the ULGEMS Paediatrics Junior Appreciation Dayto acknowledge their contribution.The children initially attended a lectureand question and answer session withMs Shona Tormey (Surgeon), Dr JohnMcManus (Geriatrician), Dr Paul Tibbitts/ Prof Calvin Coffey (Surgery), Dr ZiaUllah Jan / Prof Kiernan (Cardiology),Medical Error and theHealthcare ,Paramedics which included Mark Dixon(Senior Lecturer Paramedics) and KeithMullane’s (HSE) team, the UL GEMSTeddy Bear Hospital and UL GEMSPaediatrics Society. Dr Natasha Slattery(Intern Network) demonstrated the adultsimulator to great excitement and the ULTeddy Bear Hospital held a session for allthe sick teddy bears assisted by the ULPaediatrics Society; the children reallyenjoyed these sessions and many teddybears have recuperated and made a fullrecovery.On the 19th May, the School of Law andGraduate Entry Medical School hostedan interdisciplinary conference ‘MedicalError and the Healthcare Profession:Perspectives and Lessons from Practice’,which united a range of medicolegal experts on key areas of lawand attracted both legal and medicalpractitioners.The conference saw speakers providedetailed insights into the civil, criminaland regulatory responses to medicalerror. Dr. Ciaran Craven SC andAsim Sheikh considered ongoingdevelopments in medical negligencelitigation in the first panel of the day,whilst the second panel exploredthe response of the criminal law tomedical error, with Dr. Danielle Griffiths(University of Sussex), Dr. AlexandraMullock (University of Manchester) andDr Eimear Spain (University of Limerick)highlighting the problematic natureof the offence of gross negligencemanslaughter in a medical context.Left to right: Dr Mary Tumelty andDr Eimear SpainThe conference was organised by DrEimear Spain and Dr Mary Tumelty andwas graciously supported by the Schoolof Law and Graduate Entry MedicalSchool.www.ul.ie/gems/

UL’s GEMS and Engineering Respiratory Innovation Recognised at AwardsInterdisciplinary research, led by GEMSDirector of Research Professor ColumDunne, has resulted in developmentof a novel, daily use, 100% recyclabledevice for use by patients with cysticfibrosis and COPD.The OPEP device (oscillating positiveexpiratory pressure) is designed toreplace existing larger devices that aretypically used for months at a time andthat require daily cleaning, and whichare sometimes reservoirs for microbesthat are potentially dangerous topatients at risk of infection.The new innovative soloPEP deviceProf Dunne, who is a microbiologist,has been funded to work closely withrespiratory consultants Prof DeirdreMcGrath and Dr Barry LinnaneEmpowerment of Women Conferencealongside engineers Dr LeonardO’Sullivan and PhD candidate KevinO’Sullivan to optimise their product’sdesign and to make it available to Irishand international patients.“Ireland has the highest incidence percapita of CF globally” said ProfessorDunne “and it seems appropriate thata practical solution to a real-worldproblem for CF patients and theircaregivers be developed in Ireland”.At the time of writing, the soloPEPhas been recognised as an innovativeapproach in respiratory care and isshortlisted for both the Cleveland ClinicEnterprise Ireland Innovation Award2018 and the Irish Hospital ProfessionalAward 2018.Soup and ScienceBy Shivani Bhat (BMBS Year 2)Left to right: Dr Des Fitzgerald, Loretta Glucksman, Dr Mary Ryan andTrish LongThe Empowerment of Women Conference held at the UniversityConcert Hall on 26th March 2018 was well attended and enjoyedby all. The opening address was given by Dr Des Fitzgerald, ULPresident, followed by Chairperson of the University of Limerick(UL) Foundation and philanthropist Loretta Brennan Glucksman,who has given so much to the University.Trish Long (Vice President & General Manager of Walt Disney,Ireland) outlined her life story and ways to empower women. DrMary Ryan, Endocrinologist and organiser of the event, discussedempowerment together with lifestyle. Diabetes, obesity, hormones,infertility, menopause, osteoporosis, pituitary and chronic fatiguewere elements of this discussion.There was a vast array of speakers who discussed topics rangingfrom gender equality and gender imbalance in business, women’sright to vote, female urology, bladder and sexual problemsto menopause and heart disease. Other topics included theeconomy, the church, confidence of young women, health andself-esteem.Entertainment was provided by the wonderful harpist Fianna NiChonaill and the Flynn O’Kane Academy of Dance. A memorableday for those who attended.www.ul.ie/gems/Left to right: Matthew Sangoi (AMSI Research, BMBS Year1), Thomas Lariviere (AMSI Chair, BMBS Year 1), Prof LiamGlynn (GEMS Prof in General Practice), Dr Mary McCumiskey(PhD candidate and Speaker), Prof Anne MacFarlane (GEMSPrimary Healthcare Research and Speaker), Shivani Bhat(AMSI Medical Education, Soup and Science Chair, BMBSYear 1)On April 16th 2018, UL’s Association for MedicalStudents Ireland (AMSI) and the Graduate EntryMedical School made history! The first ever Soupand Science 2018 took place over two days at theGEMS Building where medical researchers across ULwere invited to give 6 minute rapid presentations ontheir research and then mingle with students overlunch. During the two days, over 60 medical studentsattended where they were exposed to cutting-edge,interdisciplinary research across a wide array ofmedical specialities ranging from use of mobile appsin cardiovascular health management to 3D imagingof the Mesentery!

“Connecting Communities, Practitioners and Students”. Launch of the U-LEARNGeneral Practice Network, Graduate Entry Medical School, ULLeft to Right: Prof Liam Glynn(Conference Chair and GEMS Prof inGeneral Practice) and Prof David Hirsh(Director of Harvard Medical SchoolAcademy at Harvard Medical School).U-LEARN Network: University of LimerickGP Education And Research Network sitesnationallyWith fascinating keynote addressesfrom Prof Dave Hirsh, newly appointedDirector of the Harvard Medical SchoolAcademy at Harvard Medical School andProf Sonya Saxena from Imperial Collegein London, the U-LEARN General PracticeNetwork was launched in January at theUniversity of Limerick. With a recordattendance of GP tutors and a themeof collaboration, the Network whichinvolves over 130 General Practicesnationally and approximately 500,000patients will provide a step change incapacity in education and research atthe Graduate Entry Medical School.Prof Hirsh leads the LongitudinalIntegrated Clerkship (LIC) programme atHarvard and first called for “continuity”as a key framework for medicaleducation in his seminal New EnglandJournal paper in 2007.He described the LIC evidence basefor benefits to students in terms ofknowledge acquisition, empathy andprofessionalism and how he felt the18 week LIC in General Practice at theGraduate Entry Medical School was atremendous opportunity to deliver onthis “continuity” framework.Prof Saxena went on to describe thepotential of the U-LEARN GeneralPractice Network to deliver on theclinical audit and broader professionalcompetence and research requirementsfor students and General Practitionersalike.Deputy Head of the Graduate EntryMedical School and newly appointedchair in General Practice, Prof LiamGlynn said he was “delighted” with theturnout of GP tutors and the support ofthe University for the U-LEARN GeneralPractice Network.“We are really lucky with the high qualityof our GP tutors in the U-LEARN GeneralPractice Network and for many of ourmedical students these tutors willbecome some of the most influentialmedical teachers and mentors in theircareers as a result of this continuousrelationship over the 18 weeks of theirclinical attachment in General Practiceand beyond” concluded Prof Glynn.Dr Patrick O’Donnell wins Junior Research AwardDr O’Donnellreceiving his awardDr Patrick O’Donnell, Clinical Fellowin Social Inclusion and PhD candidateat UL GEMS attended the 2018 WorldOrganization of Family Doctors (WONCA)Europe Annual Meeting in Poland in orderto compete in the Junior ResearcherAward final. Three finalists were selectedfrom submissions from countries acrossEurope, and all three presented theirongoing research to a jury panel atthe meeting. Dr O’Donnell’s main PhDsupervisor at UL GEMS is Dr KhalifaElmusharaf. Dr O’Donnell was awardedfirst place and received a bursary to fundhis ongoing PhD research.www.ul.ie/gems/

Medical Ball 2018Chafing the Dream – Running theLondon Marathon for Cancer ResearchBy Ciarrai Homer (BMBS Year 2)Back row left to right: Lata Bhandary, Bejal Patel, AislingEgan, Mina Dawood and Megan Crosby.Front row left to right: Sonya Ramondino, Mary Vu,Ciarrai Homer and Helena Hobbs.The UL Medical Society hosted the 11th annual MedicalBall on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at the LimerickStrand Hotel. This year’s fairytale-themed ball washeld in support of the Milford Care Centre, a hospicein-patient unit in Castletroy. With over 400 studentsand faculty attending, it was a magical night away fromthe books and ‘Into the Woods.’ Thanks to the manygenerous guests and local sponsors, the event raisedover 6000euro for Milford Care Centre.Hike to Carrauntoohil forMédecins Sans FrontièresBy Bridgid Ferriter (BMBS Year 2)Friends of MSF University ofLimerick at CarrauntoohilI decided to run the London Marathonfor Cancer Research UK. I find it hardto find the words to describe thatday; nearly three years ago. It was mybirthday and my family had travelled tovisit me in Cardiff, where I was studyingat the time. I knew something was upthe minute I saw my parents’ faces. Mylittle sister, who was just 18 at the time,took me upstairs to privacy and she toldme, through broken sobs, that she hadcancer.It wasn’t a blur at all, I remember everyagonising second of it, but we are not alone. The reality is that around980 people receive a cancer diagnosis every day. As well as Sorcha,in November 2017, our family was dealt another devastating blowwhen our Uncle Eric was diagnosed with terminal cancer. We sadlylost our Eric in February this year. Life is being snatched from somefar too soon; it’s time to do something about it. I KNOW I am notalone, when I claim that cancer has affected people I know, peopleI love.On April 22nd 2018 I completed the London Marathon, all 26.2 milesof it. It took me 4 hours and 39 minutes and copious amounts ofblood, sweat and tears. It was the hottest day recorded in the historyof the Marathon with temperature highs of 24.1; although it felt atleast 10hotter down on the city pavements of London!The temperatures don’t seem THAT hot, do they? But when you’vebeen training in a winter that gave us Storm Ophelia and ran twoof your 20 mile runs in the icy snow, come race day, the heat was abit of a shock. In the last 3 weeks before the big race, runners taper.Tapering means upping the carb intake (not as easy or fun as youmay think) and lowering the running mileage. The weather changedits tune the week of the race, giving no one time to adapt to thewarmer temperatures.Nevertheless, this didn’t distract from the momentum of the day.I have never in all my life, seen so many bowls of jelly babies andsweets being held out for us by the crowds, one pub had evendragged the barrels out and were handing out pints at mile 24 (SOtempting).Cruising down Embankment was the highlight. Starting with mile21, we FINALLY got out of Canary Wharf (after circling around it forsome 9 miles) and onto the home stretch. The course was at long lastshielded from the strong sun rays by the towering skyscrapers, sothe slight downhill cruise with the shaded breeze was sensational, asyou can imagine. The pavements were getting wider and the crowdswere getting louder I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.The society “Friends of MSF University of Limerick”founded in GEMS recently undertook a fundraisinghike to the highest point in Ireland, Carrauntoohil, thehighest of the MacGillycuddy reeks at 1,038M.22 student hikers and 3 volunteer guides from KerryMountain Rescue (KMR) began their ascent at 9.35am,reached the summit at 1pm and descended by theDevils Ladder reaching the base at 5pm.All funds raised went directly to Médecins SansFrontières which is an international independentmedical aid organisation. Kerry Mountain Rescue wereknowledgeable guides discussing the surroundings,emergency medicine and extraction challenges. Maythis become an annual event!The week before the race, I held two cupcake sales in the GEMS lobbyto help raise money towards my target of 2,500. The two cake salesalone raised around 600 – which is incredible!! In the end, donationstotaled a phenomenal 3,116.75 for Cancer Research UK. So, thankyou to all students, staff, friends and family. I am beyond gratefuland blown away by your kindness, love and support.To anyone thinking of running a marathon, don’t think about it.Just do it. Yes, the training is long, and the weather is problematic.But commitment to training is easy if you just make the time forit and embrace the challenge with your heart and soul. As long asyou are sensible, safe and listen to your body, you can enjoy a trulyspectacular journey. There is absolutely nothing that can comparerunning out of a 600m pitch black tunnel, to deafening eruptions ofcheering and support from complete strangers. Just do it, I promiseyou you won’t regret it.#fighterssurvivorsandangelsNewsletter Team: Josephine Lynch, Stephane Pinson, Andrew O’Regan (Editor).If you would like to receive further newsletters please contact Stephane.Pinson@ul.ie

Development and Planning at UMass Boston. An agreement was reached to conduct a GEMS / UMB joint summer school in Global Maternal and Newborn Health in Limerick during 2019. The summer school will incorporate public health, clinical, war and peace, project management and research skills into the summer school. UMB