Nursing pioneers honoured by DCU
DCU conferred the award of Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) virtually on Annette Kennedy, Vice President, Irish Council of Nurses, and Vivien Lusted of the Irish Red Cross.
They join noted figures from politics, sport, literature and industry in receiving this award from DCU. Past recipients have included Jim Gavin, Paula Meehan, Sonia O’Sullivan, Bill Clinton and David Trimble.
The conferring was part of a special event hosted by DCU on globalisation in healthcare and the role of nurses and midwives in policy and education.
“The common thread is the courage and determination of their advocacy. They have never been afraid to speak up for what they believe in, to be a clear voice for colleagues, for patients, and for the voiceless.”
Annette Kennedy
Annette is the President of the International Council of Nurses. As a Registered Nurse Tutor at Beaumont Hospital, she established the first neuro-ICU in Ireland. She also set up many of the hospital’s post-registration specialist training programmes for nurses.
In 1993, Annette took up the post of Director of Professional Development with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. Having proven her leadership at national level, in 2005 she became the President of the European Federation of Nurses, representing nursing professionals in 30 countries.
In June 2017, she was elected 28th President of the International Council of Nurses, following a four year term as Vice President of the organisation.
Vivien Lusted
Originally from Loughrea in east Galway, Vivien Lusted completed her general nurse training in the Richmond Hospital and in Beaumont Hospital.
Her first posting abroad was with Concern in Cambodia, where she worked for three years in a primary healthcare setting. She then began working with the Irish Red Cross, seconded to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
During the late 1990s, Vivien completed a Master’s in Community Health at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. During this time she continued her humanitarian work as a health delegate and health coordinator with the International Committee of the Red Cross, across 18 countries.
Prof Dáire Keogh, President of DCU, said: “Dr Vivien Lusted has worked tirelessly with and for some of the world’s most vulnerable populations in disaster and war zones. Dr Annette Kennedy has advanced the nursing profession and sought to empower nurses, as healthcare professionals and as active citizens.”
“The common thread is the courage and determination of their advocacy. They have never been afraid to speak up for what they believe in, to be a clear voice for colleagues, for patients, and for the voiceless. They exemplify DCU’s People-First principles, and our mission to transform lives and societies.”