Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan is to step down from his position this summer to take up the role of Professor of Public Health Strategy and Leadership at Trinity College Dublin.
Dr Holohan, who has been in the position for almost 15 years, became a national figure during the Covid crisis, when he led the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet).
He will remain in his current role until July. In a statement on Friday afternoon, Dr Holohan said it had been a “great privilege for me to serve as Chief Medical Officer and to have had an opportunity to be directly involved in issues of great importance and relevance to the health of the people of Ireland.”
Thank you @CMOIreland Tony Holohan for your outstanding service to the Irish people, during the pandemic, and over 21 years in the CMO office.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 25, 2022
Your dedication, and steadfast advice was crucial to Ireland’s response, and saved lives.
Every success in your new role at @tcddublin
However, he has not appeared in the media or been active on social media for several weeks, since he recommended at the end of February that the Nphet be stood down in favour of a new structure to advise Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly.
His office continues to work on the Covid pandemic, advising Mr Donnelly on policy. Dr Holohan has been in the position of CMO since late 2008, and worked as Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Department since 2001.
During his time in the role, he dealt with the Swine Flu pandemic and also controversy following the emergence of the CervicalCheck scandal.
Dr Holohan’s wife Dr Emer Feely passed away in February 2021 after a long illness.
Dr Holohan took time out from his work to help with the care of his wife after she entered palliative care in early July.
He said at the time that he wanted to give his “energy, attention and all of my time” to his wife and to their two teenage children, Clodagh and Ronan.
His role had been assumed by his deputy Dr Ronan Glynn until his return in October 2020.
‘Significant and lasting impact’
As news of his move was confirmed, Mr Donnelly said that : “Since his appointment as Chief Medical Officer in December 2008, Dr Holohan has made a significant and lasting impact on health in Ireland. Throughout his time as CMO, Tony has used his public health leadership ability, alongside his many other skills and insights, to inform and influence decisions at the highest level in order to protect public health.
“Throughout the pandemic his invaluable advice to me, and to the Government has shaped our response to Covid-19, and I witnessed first-hand his unwavering dedication to protecting the health of the people of Ireland. He will play a critical role in applying his knowledge and skills to the development of the next generation of thinking and practice in public health, and I wish Tony all the best in this new and exciting chapter in his career.”
The Taoiseach also expressed gratitude for Dr Holohan’s efforts over the during of his time in the CMO role and, in particular, through the pandemic.
“His steadfast assured advice, and willingness to communicate over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic undoubtedly helped save lives, and kept Ireland safe during an exceptionally challenging two years.
“I have known Tony, and had the privilege to work with him, since he was appointed Deputy Chief Medical Officer in 2001, and then during his 14 years as the Chief Medical Officer,” said Micheál Martin.
“His work chairing the Nphet, his professionalism, and calm and personable nature gave us all the assurance we needed during the pandemic. I wish him and his family the very best of luck for the future,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Provost of Trinity, Professor Linda Doyle, said she and her colleagues at the university are excited Dr Holohan will be working with others at the college “to learn the lessons of Covid and prepare for these future challenges”.
“Dr Holohan will not be attached to a single School or Discipline within Trinity. Instead, his role will traverse the Faculties of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences and Health Sciences, recognising the complexity and scope of population health challenges in the modern era.”
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health told The Irish Times that the the appointment of a new chief medical officer will be in line with normal processes, with support from the Top-Level Appointment Committee (TLAC).
The Committee’s function is to recommend candidates to Ministers and Government for the most senior positions in the civil service - at assistant secretary level and upwards.
“The position will be filled in line with normal process, subject to appropriate sanction from Department of Public Expenditure & Reform,” the spokeswoman said.
