University of Limerick

Professor Calvin Coffey, Chair of Surgery, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick and Consultant General & Colorectal Surgeon, Limerick University Hospital has been selected to receive a James IV Fellowship from the James IV Association of Surgeons. This Fellowship is awarded to candidates who have made outstanding contributions to the art and science of surgery.

Each year surgeons are selected from around the world to receive this prestigious Fellowship. In the coming months, Professor Coffey will travel to clinical sites in North America, Korea, and across Europe to present his experiences of novel techniques and innovation in minimally invasive colorectal cancer surgery.

Professor Coffey acknowledged the importance of the award saying;  “This fellowship is a key piece in the jigsaw as we continue to develop educational programmes at the highest level possible for undergraduate students and postgraduate surgical trainees”.

Professor Colum Dunne, Graduate Entry Medical School at University of Limerick, added “Professor Coffey and his surgical colleagues at each of the clinical sites affiliated with UL have created an effective and enjoyable learning experience for GEMS students.  We welcome the opportunity to disseminate the knowledge generated by these teams in surgical teaching and research, and like all learning organisations look forward to implementing new approaches that may result from this fellowship”.  

The James IV Association of Surgeons, Inc. was founded in 1957 by three distinguished surgeons from England, Scotland and the United States so that surgeons from around the world could be brought together to exchange ideas and techniques regarding surgery. The aim of the Association is to foster the exchange of knowledge among distinguished surgeons in countries where English is freely spoken. The Association was founded in 1957 by Ian Aird of London, John Bruce of Edinburgh and J. William Hinton of New York who choose the name of the new surgical association in honour of the fourth Stuart King of Scotland who was noted for his interest in scientific affairs.

The Graduate Entry Medical School recently marked its €1 million funding milestone which furthers its commitment to progressive medical research. GEMS is implementing a research strategy focused on the themes of metabolic mediators of chronic disorder, life stage-specific conditions including aspects of ageing, and the provision of prophylactic guidance & therapeutic care in the community and acute facilities. The School has pursued recruitment of experienced professorial leaders across the clinical specialities who are actively engaged in relevant top-tier health-oriented research.

For further information about the Graduate Entry Medical School (GEMS), UL go to : www.ul.ie/medicalschool