Mercy has a new CEO
A new chief executive officer has been appointed to one of Cork city’s hospitals.
On Tuesday, Margaret McKiernan was announced by the Board of Directors of Mercy University Hospital (MUH), following a competitive recruitment process, as its new CEO.
She has more than 25 years of experience in the acute hospital sector to the role, most recently serving as MUH’s Director of Nursing since 2016.
In this capacity, she oversaw capital developments and the patient experience pathway. Speaking about the appointment, Ms McKiernan said: “I am honoured to take up this position and to lead Mercy University Hospital into its next chapter. My commitment is to build upon our strong foundation of compassionate, patient-centred care while embracing innovation and collaboration to best serve our community.
“Working with partners across health, social care and the voluntary sector, I will guide the hospital’s ambition to provide the right services to meet the health and care needs of our communities both now and in years to come.”
A registered general nurse, Ms McKiernan’s professional and academic qualifications also include an MSc in Nursing and a post graduate qualification in Intensive Care and Coronary Care Nursing. Most recently, she successfully completed the Florence Nightingale Foundation Scholarship Programme 2022 to 2023. Her clinical background lies in critical care nursing, with specialist interests in healthcare communication, end-of-life care, and inclusion health.
Ms McKiernan represents acute hospitals nationally on the HSE/Irish Hospice Foundation Oversight Group and is the acute hospital representative in Cork on the LGBT Interagency Group. Ms McKiernan established the Sanctuary Hospital Group within Mercy University Hospital which has hospital and interagency membership to support the delivery of HSE Inclusion Health priorities.
Ms Ann Doherty, Chair of the Mercy University Hospital Board, said: “Margaret’s qualifications, clinical expertise and decades of experience speak for themselves. We are confident that her leadership will guide MUH towards continued success in providing exceptional patient care.”