HRI Member Dr Niamh Cummins leads award-winning IPERN to international best practice honour
Dr Niamh Cummins, Associate Professor in Public Health at UL School of Medicine, was honoured to accept the International Best Practice Award on behalf of the Irish Paramedicine Education and Research Network (IPERN) at the inaugural Irish Blue Light Awards ceremony.
The Blue Light Awards celebrate the vital contribution of frontline emergency, security and Blue Light services across Ireland, recognising excellence across statutory, voluntary and community-based organisations.
Dr Cummins founded and chairs IPERN, an inter-professional volunteer network dedicated to strengthening research capacity, education and collaboration in out-of-hospital and emergency medical care in Ireland and internationally. Since its establishment, the network has played an important role in connecting practitioners, educators and researchers to advance evidence-based practice in paramedicine and emergency care.
The International Best Practice Award recognises individuals and teams who have demonstrated exceptional professionalism and innovation, setting a benchmark for global excellence in frontline emergency services. The award highlights contributions that advance the Blue Light and frontline emergency services community on the international stage through outstanding best practice.
This recognition is particularly meaningful as IPERN celebrates its fifth anniversary in 2026, marking five years of supporting research, education and collaboration in paramedicine and emergency care.
