Professor of public health Breda Smyth is to take over as interim chief medical officer (CMO) following the retirement of Dr Tony Holohan next month, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said.
Prof Smyth, a professor in NUI Galway and director of public health in HSE West, is to hold the role while a recruitment process to hire a new CMO takes place.
Dr Holohan is to retire from the position on July 1st after 14 years in the role, during which time he came to public prominence leading the State’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Ronan Glynn, who was also a prominent figure during the pandemic, resigned as deputy CMO last month to take up a job in the private sector.
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During the pandemic Prof Smyth sat on the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) as well as an expert advisory group looking at the use of rapid antigen tests.
In a statement, Mr Donnelly said the public health expert brought “considerable experience” to the Department of Health, while the open competition to fill the position on a permanent basis took place.
“I am conscious of the need to have in place the required leadership at all times to continue to monitor and combat Covid-19 and other public health threats,” he said.
The Minister said Prof Smyth had “contributed significantly” to the national response to the pandemic in a number of roles. “Professor Smyth brings this considerable experience, excellent leadership ability and extensive public health skill set to the role and I very much look forward to working with her,” he said.
Prof Smyth said she was “excited” to step into the role as interim CMO, at a time when the pandemic had placed a “spotlight on public health”.
