Jane Grimson, Professor of Health Informatics, Trinity College Dublin, and president of the Health Care Informatics Society of Ireland.
Personal/family: Married to Bill with two children, Sarah (29) and Andrew (31).
What figure from the world of medicine or health do you most admire?
The first women graduates from medicine.
What other career might you have chosen?
Medicine.
If you could grant three wishes for the health service, what would they be?
I would ensure that the patient and their healthcare provider are able to access medical records online at any time anywhere. I would see that there is much greater appreciation of the real benefits that ICT (information and communications technology) can provide in health in terms of improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness and increased patient safety. I would also provide Prof Brendan Drumm with a magic wand.
What is your greatest fear?
That my inherent optimism proves to be misplaced.
Have you ever been a patient and were you a good one?
Only when my children were born and I probably was not a very good one.
When or where are you happiest?
Sitting around the dinner table with my family.
How do you cope with stress?
Exercise.
What is the trait you most admire in yourself?
Optimism.
What is the trait you most dislike in yourself?
Forgetfulness.
Do you use alternative or complementary medicine or therapies?
No.
Who or what makes you laugh?
Ronnie Barker and charades at Christmas.
What is your motto?
Tomorrow is another day.
What is your favourite TV or radio programme?
Morning Ireland.
What books would you bring to a desert island?
Any e-book because I would need a laptop (solar powered or clockwork) with a satellite connection.
(In conversation with Fiona Tyrrell)