(January 15th 2015) Tallaght Hospital CEO David Slevin today congratulated Professor Desmond (Des) O’Neill, Consultant in geriatric and stroke medicine at Tallaght Hospital, on the receipt of the prestigious Joseph T. Freeman Award by the Gerontological Society of America (GSA).
Professor O'Neill, who is also Professor of Medical Gerontology at the School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, became the first academic geriatrician working in Europe to be given the award - which is presented to a prominent medical professional in the field of ageing. Professor O'Neill also became the first researcher in ageing in Ireland to be awarded Honorary Fellowship of the GSA. The GSA is the largest and oldest scientific society dedicated to ageing in the world
Congratulating Professor O’Neill on the receipt of the award and his Honorary Fellowship, Tallaght Hospital CEO David Slevin said “Tallaght Hospital is extremely proud of the work Professor O’Neill carries out with his specialist team in the hospital. This prestigious award is a marvellous external acknowledgment of the significance of his work and its contribution to the field of gerontology. On behalf of Tallaght Hospital, I would like to congratulate Professor O’Neill on receiving the Joseph T. Freeman Award and his Honorary Fellowship of the Gerontological Society of America.”
Professor O’Neill is a firm believer in the benefit of music and art for patients and recently had his work featured in the TV3 production “A Disconnected Rhythm” which focused on the therapeutic value of art in healthcare, with specific reference to Parkinson’s Disease. His research work, and his focus on quality of life aspects of care and the humanities, has made him a significant national commentator on ageing in Ireland. In 2010 Professor O’Neill was awarded the All Ireland Inspirational Life Award for his work on behalf of older people.
