Dr Tony Holohan has announced he is stepping down as Chief Medical Officer stating it has been a “privilege” to serve in the role throughout the pandemic.
Dr Holohan, who has been CMO at the Department of Health since 2008, is stepping down to take up a new job as Professor of Public Health Strategy and Leadership at Trinity College Dublin from July.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin has paid tribute to Dr Holohan for his “calm and personable nature” which he said “gave us all the assurance we needed during the pandemic.”
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Announcing the news, Dr Holohan said: “It has 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.
“In particular, these past two years have presented extreme challenges to public health globally and I have been honoured to work alongside exceptional colleagues in the Department of Health, the HSE, the wider health service and across Government. “During this time, I have witnessed the dedication of colleagues to protecting the health and wellbeing of people across Ireland.
“I am very excited by this new opportunity, and I look forward with energy and enthusiasm to working with the Provost of Trinity College Dublin and her team, and through this to continue to contribute to improving public health policy, practice and outcomes.”
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said Dr Holohan’s advice had saved lives throughout the pandemic.
He said: “His steadfast assured advice, and willingness to communicate over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly helped saved lives, and kept Ireland safe during an exceptionally challenging two years.
“I would like to sincerely thank Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan today as he prepares to step down after more than two decades of outstanding and dedicated service to the people of Ireland in the field of public health.
“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.
“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, and I look forward to engaging with Tony again when he takes up his position as Professor of Public Health Strategy and Leadership at Trinity College Dublin.”
It’s likely that Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan Glynn will replace Dr Holohan.
Dr Glynn stood in as Acting CMO for a period of time during the pandemic when Dr Holohan took some time away from work after the passing of his wife, Emer Feely, following a long illness, in February 2021.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said he witnessed first-hand Dr Holohan’s “unwavering dedication” to protecting the people of Ireland throughout the pandemic.
He said: “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.”
Dr Tony Holohan was appointed as Chief Medical Officer in the Department of Health in December 2008 after serving as Deputy Chief Medical Officer from 2001.
During his time as Chief Medical Officer, Dr Holohan was directly involved in a wide range of significant developments including screening policy in relation to colorectal cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, newborn (heel‐prick) screening including the establishment of the National Screening Committee.
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