UM surgeon honoured on the world stage
Prof April, who specialises in colorectal surgery and previously served as Dean at UM's Faculty of Medicine, was recognised for founding the country's largest colorectal surgery unit and helping shape surgical training nationwide.
To boost surgical capacity nationwide, she helped develop the National Curriculum for General Surgery and a Train-the-Trainers programme, while continuing to advocate for equity and excellence in the field.
RCSI Council Member Mr John Caird, who read her citation, applauded Prof April's outstanding contributions to health and ongoing dedication to enhancing medical education and surgical training.
She has also received global honours, including recent Honorary Fellowship awards from the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the American and Philippine Societies of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons.
Currently, she serves as councillor of the International Surgical Society and director of the International Office at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
The RCSI conferring ceremony took place at its St Stephen's Green campus in Dublin on July 7.
Prof April was among 402 healthcare professionals conferred with Fellowships and Memberships at the ceremony, which RCSI President Professor Deborah McNamara described as a celebration of service and innovation in healthcare around the world.
'Throughout our 241-year history, RCSI Fellows, Members and Diplomates have a proud legacy of healthcare service and innovation across the world. Each of you has the potential to make a difference in the lives of many individuals as well as society at large. Especially in these turbulent times, each of us has the power to improve the world around us,' she said on the RCSI website.
The Honorary Fellowship is the highest distinction granted by the College, recognising individuals for outstanding contributions to surgery and medical education.
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