The philosopher Richard Kearney and US healthcare innovator Michael Dowling have been awarded this year’s Research Ireland St Patrick’s Day Medals.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin presented the medals at a ceremony in Washington on Thursday. The awards honour academic and industry leaders in the US, including their contribution to Irish research and collaboration between Ireland and the US.
Mr Martin said their achievements “illustrate the exceptional work being carried out by the Irish research diaspora across the US”.
“The leadership and innovation of Prof Kearney and Mr Dowling have been impactful across diverse areas, from aiding peace agreements to improving healthcare access,” he added.
Yes, Amazon.ie will give Irish shoppers choice. But no, it’s not ‘good news for all’
Web Summit case day one - as it happened: David Kelly proved himself ‘disloyal and faithless’, court told as case begins
Enoch Burke case: Receiver appointed over teacher’s future salary in bid to collect €79,100 in fines
Why did Donald Trump bring Conor McGregor to the White House?
Prof Kearney, who is from Co Cork, holds the Seelig chair of philosophy at Boston College. He is author of more than 30 books on European philosophy and literature, including The Irish Mind, Navigations: Selected Irish Essays, and most recently Hosting Earth: Facing the Climate Emergency.
He is a former member of the Arts Council and Higher Education Authority and served as chairman of the Irish School of Film at UCD. He was also involved in drafting proposals for the Northern Irish peace agreement. His most recent novel, Salvage, set in West Cork, is being adapted for film.
Prof Kearney said he was honoured to receive the medal. “My connection with Ireland has always been central to my career. Bringing people together to share stories and perspectives is key to addressing our era’s greatest challenges,” he said.
“Collaborations and exchanges can help to transcend divides and build peace and reconciliation. I look forward to continuing my work with colleagues in both the US and Ireland to strengthen empathy and understanding.”
As president and chief executive of the non-profit Northwell Health, Mr Dowling oversees the largest healthcare provider in New York state, caring for more than two million people annually through 21 hospitals and more than 900 outpatient facilities.
[ In Pictures: A St Patrick’s Day visit to the White House like no otherOpens in new window ]
He has invested heavily in Northwell’s research arm, helping to transform treatment of lupus, arthritis, sepsis, cancer, psychiatric illness and Alzheimer’s disease. He was commended for a visionary approach to medical education and for initiating programmes to expand primary care access, particularly for the uninsured.
Mr Dowling, a Co Limerick native, said the award was recognition of his efforts to improve health outcomes for patients.
“In our work, it is vital to remain open to new knowledge. Partnerships with Irish companies continue to provide new perspectives that help to improve patient care in the US, Ireland and beyond.”
Celine Fitzgerald, interim chief executive at Research Ireland, said their work had “enriched our research, development and innovation landscape”.
“Our strong collaborative links with the research community in the US mutually benefit both countries and we look forward to continuing to build on this into the future,” she said.
The formation of the new agency Research Ireland fundamentally resets the competitive public funding landscape of research in Ireland, Mr Martin said.
Following the merger of Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council last year, the country “has an opportunity to build a more effective and cohesive national research and innovation system that underpins a strong, sustainable and resilient economy and society”, he said.
Research Ireland “will help deliver enhanced co-ordination of research funding, an intensification of interdisciplinary research, and a more vibrant research base. This will showcase Ireland’s global reputation as a research and innovation leader across all disciplines”, he added.
“As a Government we are striving to partner, we are striving to lead, and we are striving to position Ireland as an interconnected, knowledge-driven society that values both STEM advancements and the cultural and ethical insights offered by the arts, humanities and social sciences.”
He highlighted Ireland’s special relationship over the past 20 years with the US National Science Foundation (MSF) and the signing of a five-year bilateral agreement this week that will strengthen the research links between the two countries and align commercial and academic priorities.
“It will also encourage deeper engagement from industry in basic and applied research,” he said.
