178ֱ��

Taoiseach presents prestigious St Patrick’s Day Medal to 178ֱ�� alumnus Michael Dowling

14 Mar 2025

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin last night presented the prestigious Research Ireland St. Patrick’s Day Medal to 178ֱ�� alumnus Michael Dowling, President and CEO of Northwell Health, in recognition of his position as one of the healthcare industry’s most highly respected voices in the United States.

The Medal recognises the contribution of academic and industry leaders in the US across all disciplines, from science and engineering to the arts, humanities and social sciences. These experts contribute to the research ecosystem in Ireland and to collaboration between research in Ireland and the United States.

As President and CEO of Northwell Health, Mr Dowling oversees the largest healthcare provider in New York State, caring for over 2 million people annually through a network of 21 hospitals and over 900 outpatient facilities.

An indication of his significance in the US healthcare sector, in 2022 Mr Dowling was ranked first in Modern Healthcare magazine’s list of the “100 Most Influential People in Healthcare.”

Mr Dowling has invested heavily in Northwell’s research arm, the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, transforming the treatment of conditions like lupus, arthritis, sepsis, cancer, psychiatric illness and Alzheimer’s disease.

Mr Dowling was born and raised in County Limerick and graduated from 178ֱ�� with Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Economics in 1970. A keen sportsman, Mr Dowling was also a Fizgibbon Cup winner during his time at 178ֱ��.

He was awarded a 178ֱ�� Alumni Achievement Award in 2011 and conferred with an Honorary Doctorate of Science by his alma mater in 2017. Mr Dowling is a great friend to 178ֱ��, and a generous philanthropic supporter of the Cork University Foundation.

Mr Dowling has developed a visionary approach to medical education, working on innovative medical school curricula and creating a corporate university. Throughout his career he has initiated numerous programmes to expand primary care access to medical care, particularly to those who are uninsured.

The award was presented to Mr Dowling at an event in Washington D.C. last night, where Prof Richard Kearney, Charles B Seelig Professor in Philosophy at Boston College, was also honoured.

At the presentation event an Taoiseach Mr Martin congratulated the recipients, saying: “I am delighted to present the Research Ireland St. Patrick’s Day Medal to Prof Richard Kearney and Mr Michael Dowling. Their significant achievements in the fields of philosophy and healthcare respectively illustrate the exceptional work being carried out by the Irish research diaspora across the United States.

“The leadership and innovation of Prof Kearney and Mr Dowling have been impactful across diverse areas, from aiding peace agreements to improving healthcare access. The Government of Ireland and Research Ireland are delighted to support transformative research such as this, which has wide-reaching benefits across Ireland and the US.”

On receiving his award, Mr Dowling said: “I am delighted to accept the Research Ireland St. Patrick’s Day Medal recognizing my efforts to improve health outcomes for patients, through clinical care and research. In our work, it is vital to remain open to new knowledge. Partnerships with Irish companies continue to provide new perspectives that help to improve patient care in the U.S., Ireland and beyond. Maintaining close ties with Ireland continues to be of deep importance to my career.”

178ֱ�� President Prof. John O’Halloran said; “We are delighted that Michael has been honoured with the prestigious St. Patrick’s Day Medal. As his alma mater we are deeply proud of what he has gone on to achieve in the United States, becoming a leading voice in the healthcare sector while advocating for greater access for patients. The combination of his success, drive, and desire to contribute to his community typifies the values we seek to instil into our graduates.”