PROF DENIS J O'SULLIVAN:DENIS J O'SULLIVAN, who has died aged 85, was a former professor of medicine at University College Cork. His was the first full-time clinical academic appointment there. An outstanding clinician and teacher, he was a leading influence in modernising the medical school in Cork and was a major driving force behind the building of Cork Regional Hospital, now Cork University Hospital.
One of two children of Daniel O’Sullivan and his wife Julia (née Cahill), he was reared in Carrigadrohid, Co Cork, and educated at Canovee National School, De la Salle College, Macroom, and Presentation College, Cork.
He studied medicine at UCC and graduated in 1948 with first-class honours.
He acquired postgraduate experience in Wolverhampton and Birmingham, in England, and wrote an MD thesis working with the renowned diabetes specialist John Malins. When he returned to UCC as professor of medicine in 1961, he also became consultant physician at St Finbarr’s hospital.
A gifted physician, he had a wide range of clinical skills which was underpinned by an unfailing ability to listen and empathise. He enjoyed the trust and respect of patients, medical staff, family doctors and fellow consultants.
A skilled teacher, he combined kindness and charm with a deep knowledge of scientific medicine and an insistence on the highest standards. Commonly known as “the prof”, he was an inspirational role model for students.
His immense energy enabled him to manage a huge clinical practice, a heavy teaching load and major local and national administrative responsibilities. There was much travel to and from Dublin, usually at unsocial hours.
From the time of his appointment, he sought to increase the number of medical specialists in St Finbarr’s. He campaigned tenaciously for a new regional hospital, and was closely involved in its planning.
Through Comhairle na nOspidéal, he ensured the appointment of new consultant staff, to join those transferring from St Finbarr’s.
A strong advocate of postgraduate education, he also gave much practical help to young doctors in their careers. With Dr Michael Hyland he established the UCC Medical Graduates Association, and greatly enjoyed meeting former students to hear about their work.
Prof O’Sullivan was dean of the faculty of medicine (1967-1975), a college governor (1968-1980), and NUI senator (1972-1977). He was a co-author of the Fitzgerald report on general hospital services. For many years a member of Comhairle na nOspidéal and the Medical Research Council of Ireland, he also sat on a number of local appointment boards.
To relax, he loved to watch hurling and football matches with friends. He and his family took holidays in Baltimore, west Cork, where they enjoyed sailing and exploring the islands of Roaringwater Bay.
He and his wife Joan also loved to socialise, and entertain colleagues and many friends.
To mark his retirement in 1990, Cork Regional Hospital established the Denis O’Sullivan medal, and UCC set up the Denis O’Sullivan research fellowships. Later the NUI awarded him a DSc degree, honoris causa.
On retiring, he took up a position at the Ibn al-Bitar hospital in Baghdad. After the 1991 Gulf War erupted he and his wife were among those held hostage for several months.
After their eventual safe return they settled in Baltimore. His The Cork School of Medicine: a History was published in 2007. Notwithstanding his achievements, he will be remembered as an innately warm and approachable man, who always had time for those who needed his help or advice.
A devoted husband and family man, he is survived by his wife Joan (née Brown), daughters Sheila and Siobhán and sons Donal, Seán, Fergus and Denis.
Denis J O’Sullivan: born September 20th, 1925; died December 21st, 2010