Dr Catherine McGorrian appointed as Medical Director of the Irish Heart Foundation

The Irish Heart Foundation has announced the appointment of Dr Catherine McGorrian PhD FRCPI, as Medical Director.

Dr McGorrian, Consultant Cardiologist and General Physician in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, and an Associate Clinical Professor in University College Dublin, will take up the role of Medical Director on 1st November 2026, succeeding Dr Angie Brown.

Having graduated from RCSI in 1997, Dr McGorrian has been a doctor for nearly 30 years, with a career still founded on clinical work with patients. She completed her specialty training in Cardiology and General Medicine in Ireland and Canada.

Dr McGorrian worked and studied at McMaster University in Ontario and UCD, where she graduated with an MSc in Health Research Methodology and PhD on Cardiovascular Epidemiology, respectively.

An author and co-author of more than 60 scientific publications, she has been working in the Mater Inherited Cardiac Conditions Clinic since 2008, along with work on the hospital wards and emergency department.

As well as her clinical work, she has worked as a hospital Clinical Director, and the chair of the Clinical Advisory Group in Acute Medicine through the RCPI.

The role of Medical Director is to promote the aims and objectives of the Irish Heart Foundation by advising the Chief Executive, Senior Management Team and the Board of Directors on medical matters in relation to all aspects of cardiovascular disease prevention and cardiology generally.

Dr McGorrian said: “I am delighted to take up the role of Medical Director of the Irish Heart Foundation. I am passionate about cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment, and equity in service provision and delivery. I look forward to working with colleagues to achieve our mission to eliminate preventable death and disability from heart disease and stroke and to support and care for those living with these life-changing conditions.”

Speaking of the appointment, Irish Heart Foundation CEO, Emma Balmaine, said, “I congratulate Dr McGorrian on her appointment and look forward to welcoming her to the Irish Heart Foundation. Dr McGorrian will play a pivotal role working with myself and Senior Management, our Board of Directors, colleagues, patients and stakeholders to support our strategic agenda, mission and vision.”

Dr McGorrian takes up the role of Medical Director in the Irish Heart Foundation alongside her role as Consultant Cardiologist and General Physician in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital.