Deborah McNamara

Deborah A. McNamara is an Irish surgeon and academic serving as president of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) since 2024. She also serves as a clinical professor in surgery at the college. A consultant general and colorectal surgeon at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin and Bon Secours Hospital, she is noted for being the first woman to be appointed a consultant colorectal surgeon in Ireland. Her career has focused on the surgical management of colorectal cancer, as well as on national healthcare quality improvement, surgical training and gender equity in the surgical profession.

Education McNamara earned her primary medical degree, a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, and Bachelor in the Art of Obstetrics (MB BAO BCh (Honours)), from Trinity College Dublin. She subsequently completed surgical training in Ireland and France, specializing in the surgical management of colorectal cancer. McNamara obtained a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree and a Postgraduate Certificate in Improvement Science (PG Cert Imp Sci) with distinction from Trinity College Dublin, in addition to a Diploma in Quality and Leadership from the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. Her clinical practice includes the surgical management of colon and rectal cancer, laparoscopic surgery, endoscopy, and hernia repair. The election alongside Laura Viani as president was historic for the institution, as it was the first time two women were elected to serve together as president and vice-president.