Trinity’s School of Medicine Launches 300-Year Anniversary Celebrations
Posted on: 29 September 2010
Trinity College Dublin is celebrating 300 years of the foundation of its School of Medicine. A programme of events marking the tercentenary was launched on September 28th last.
Trinity’s School of Medicine, founded in 1711, is a unique institution, which has played a pivotal role in delivering Irish medical education and medical practice of international consequence. Famous physicians include William Stokes and Robert Graves among others* who have made a significant contribution to the development of medicine. Today, Trinity’s discoveries in immunology in the treatment of poverty-related diseases such as TB and malaria constitute some of the most important medical research currently being undertaken anywhere in the world. There is also groundbreaking research in lung cancer and eczema published in leading international journals that will help improve and save the lives of many. The School of Medicine prepares its graduates to take a leading role in the medical profession who strive to make a meaningful impact on healthcare in Ireland and worldwide. The Tercentenary celebrations will take place throughout 2011 and will include public lectures, student debates, international conferences and an exhibition in the Old Library on the history of medicine at Trinity.
Students of TCD’s School of Drama join Professor Peter Gatenby, Anna Feeney, Dr Mary Henry, Provost Dr John Hegarty and Professor Dermot Kelleher to launch the School of Medicine’s Tercentenary celebrations.
Commenting on the celebrations, Professor Dermot Kelleher, Head of the School of Medicine and Vice-Provost for Medical Affairs, said: “This Tercentenary is a remarkable milestone and we certainly hope that in 2011 we can assess what has been done over the 300 years and plan for the future. I firmly believe that it is our responsibility to ensure that excellence in medical education and research at Trinity has real impact on the lives of patients. In our School and teaching hospitals, and the public service ethos espoused by them, we are extremely fortunate to have world-class doctors who are committed to making a difference. We look forward to sharing our achievements as we are celebrating the Tercentenary and hope to see members of Trinity community and general public here over the next year.”
The Tercentenary celebrations will include a variety of events such as:
- An exhibition in the Old Library “The Best Doctors in the World are Doctor Diet, Doctor Quiet, and Doctor Merryman”
- Joint performance of the Guinness Choir & Trinity Choral Society & Ulster Symphony Orchestra
- Students’ debate
- Tercentenary lectures in affiliated hospitals
- International scientific conferences
About the School of Medicine
Founded in 1711
640 students from 35 countries
Academic hospitals:
- St. James’s Hospital
- Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Incorporating the National Children’s Hospital (AMNCH) Tallaght
Prominent alumni:
- Oliver Goldsmith (1730-1774), writer, poet and physician
- Robert Graves (1797-1853), discovered and described hyperthyroidism
- William Stokes (1804-1878), acknowledged internationally as one of the founders of cardiology
- Denis Burkitt (1911-1993), discovered, described and diagnosed Burkitt’s Lymphoma