President’s Welcome
A warm welcome to Fellows, Members and visitors
It gives me great pleasure to extend a warm welcome to Fellows and Members of the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland, also to those who are considering joining us as well as visitors to our site. We are proud of our historical roots, dating back to 1882, and the affiliation of some of the most prestigious medics and scientists of their time. I trust that your association with RAMI will be mutually beneficial and provide a forum to supplement our professional requirement of life-long learning as well as providing the opportunity to meet and engage with like-minded colleagues.
Professor Kevin Carson
Why the Academy exists
The Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland (RAMI) was founded on 22 November 1882 by the merger of four major medical societies from surgery, medicine, pathology and obstetrics & gynaecology.
The primary role of the Academy is that of providing a forum for the exchange of scientific information and to promote academic discussion, so essential to scientific progress.
Throughout the years RAMI has weathered the Civil War, two world wars and indeed the already mentioned influenza pandemic that followed World War One, with such a high mortality. However, as Seamus Heaney advised in 1965,
“Never fear. We may let the scaffolds fall
Confident that we have built our wall.”
Seamus Heaney, 1965
We can affirm that RAMI has a firm, strong wall built on sure and solid stone, but the challenge as the President, leading with the Executive and General Council is that we are flexible and relevant to changing times. Whilst the ideals and tenets of 1882 are still laudable and pertinent, we have to respond to the demands of today.
A rich past — dynamic and relevant today
The Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland is a unique and very special Institution; I am very honoured to be the current President. RAMI has a rich past yet is dynamic and relevant, responding to the demands of today. RAMI is recognised both at home and abroad as a champion of excellence supporting life-long learning, from undergraduate, throughout one’s professional career to retiree as well as supporting academic prowess through its Journal, eponymous lectures and section meetings. It is also through these endeavors and enterprises that a robust future for RAMI is assured.
Professor Kevin Carson