Carmel Mangan,Director of nursing at the Blackrock Clinic, Dublin.
Carmel Mangan
Occupation:Director of nursing at the Blackrock Clinic, Dublin.
Personal/family:Married to Bernard with two sons, Rory and Desmond.
What figure from the world of medicine or health do you most admire?
Dr Noel Browne, in particular his dealing with the mother and child scheme.
What other career might you have chosen?
History always was and continues to be a subject of great interest to me. If I was not in my current job, I would love to have ended up professor of history in Trinity College Dublin.
If you could grant three wishes for the health service, what would they be?
I would increase emphasis on health promotion, provide better community care and ensure that no patients have to wait for care.
What is your greatest fear?
Illness within my close family.
Have you ever been a patient and were you a good one?
I've only been a patient at home and the boys say I was a very bad one.
When or where are you happiest?
Saturday morning having breakfast, reading papers and with the family in Dunne and Crescenzi restaurant.
How do you cope with stress?
Running and very bad golf.
What is the trait you most admire in yourself?
My positive outlook.
What is the trait you most dislike in yourself?
My weakness is handbags - I just can't resist.
Do you use alternative or complementary medicine or therapies?
No.
Who or what makes you laugh?
My teenage son Rory and listening to Dáil debates.
What is your motto?
In vino veritas.
What is your favourite TV or radio programme?
The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show, Today FM, and for a complete switch off Sex in the City.
What books would you bring to a desert island?
I would bring the Anthony Beavers collection, which includes The Battle for Spain, Stalingrad & Berlin, and anything by Spike Milligan.