UCC SONM 25 Year Book

UCC / School of Nursing and Midwifery

Honorary Awards to Sister of Mercy As detailed throughout the book the Sisters of Mercy have contributed significantly to the Health Services and specifically to nursing in the Southern Region of Ireland. University College Cork has recognized this service by awarding two Mercy Sisters Honorary degrees.

Sr. Margaret Healy

Graduation of Sr. Margaret Healy: Honorary Doctorate in Civil Law 2001 Prof. Eamonn Quigley, Prof Wrixon, President UCC, Sr. Margaret Healy, Professor Geraldine Mc Carthy, Professor Denis O’ Sullivan

The significant contribution of the Sisters of Mercy was celebrated on May 11 th 2001 when Sr. Margaret Healy was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate in Civil Law, for over 40 years’ service to the nursing and medical profession. Her medical colleagues who had witnessed her outstanding efforts to improve medical care at St. Finbarr’s Hospital and Cork University Hospital during her nursing years nominated Sr. Margaret, (also known as Sr. John Mary) a native of Rossacon, Kanturk, Co Cork for the prestigious honour. At the age of 21 and already a qualified nurse, Sr. Margaret joined the Sisters of Mercy order. Sr. Margaret began working as a Staff Nurse in St. Finbarr’s Hospital in 1960, thereby embarking on what proved to be a remarkable 32-year association with St. Finbarr’s and Cork University Hospital, and with the Department of Medicine at UCC. Within four years, her talents had been recognized by her appointment as Sister in Charge of the Medical Professorial Unit, at St. Finbarr’s Hospital. This was a time of dramatic change at St. Finbarr’s Hospital, which was in the process of emerging as a major teaching hospital and home to several of the clinical teaching departments.

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