Highly distinguished MUH Surgeon, Professor Kevin Barry inducted into ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators

Professor Kevin Barry, Consultant General Surgeon in Mayo University Hospital (MUH) and Director of National Surgical Training Programmes in RSCI, has been admitted as a Member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators.

Professor Barry was among a group of 63 esteemed surgical educators who were inducted at a ceremony on 6 October in Chicago.

Professor Barry has been a Consultant General Surgeon at Mayo University Hospital, where he established a Symptomatic Breast Clinic, since 1999.

In 2008 he joined the Symptomatic Breast team at Galway University Hospitals, where he continues to work closely with the multidisciplinary team, before joining the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 2021 as Director of National Surgical Training Programmes, playing a pivotal role in maintaining the highest standards of excellence within RCSI’s surgical training work.

A graduate of University College Cork (UCC), Professor Barry obtained his FRCSI in 1990 before completing further training in the USA. He was awarded an MD by UCC on the basis of his research and has authored more than 130 peer-reviewed publications.

Catherine Donohoe, Hospital Manager at MUH has commended Prof Barry saying, “We are extremely proud of Professor Barry who has dedicated so much of his time to Mayo University Hospital. Professor Barry was the first Dean of the Medical Academy here and is currently the Associate Clinical Director for the Cancer MCAN in MUH.

“He is a highly respected and recognised Consultant at the hospital and the wider health care system nationally we are delighted to congratulate him on his induction as a member of American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators.”

Catherine highlighted that Professor Barry is currently working to ensure the National Training Programme for General Surgeons meets the changing needs and structures of our healthcare system. It is this commitment and focus that has resulted in Professor Barry achieving this international recognition.

Professor Kevin Barry added, “This award means so much to me on a personal level. I wish to acknowledge the great support and encouragement that I have received over the years from my Consultant colleagues at both Mayo and Galway University Hospitals, in developing both undergraduate and postgraduate models of medical education and training within the Saolta hospital network.

“My academic colleagues at the University of Galway and also at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland have worked very closely with me over a prolonged period of time to promote the highest standards of surgical training nationally. I also wish to pay tribute to the very fine Surgeons at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland and The Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA  who contributed to my surgical training in the 1990s and helped to shape my lifelong interest in clinical practice, research and teaching.

“I will continue to do whatever I can to help to train the next generation of Surgeons and to prepare them for a changing  healthcare environment.”

Ajit K. Sachdeva co-chair of the steering group of the Academy said, “This Academy of preeminent surgical educators has been making landmark contributions to surgical education and is introducing many transformational changes in surgical education that will endure into the future.

“We look forward to leveraging the expertise of the members as we explore innovations that will continue to advance the field of surgical education and positively impact the careers of surgical educators.”

The ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators works to advance the science and practice of education across all surgical specialties. Individuals are selected as Members, Associate Members, or Affiliate Members following a stringent peer review process. They come from nine countries in addition to those from the United States.