Dr Kate Ganter chairwoman of the Irish College of Psychiatrists and consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Lucena Clinic, Rathgar, Dublin.
Personal/family:Married to Declan.
What figure from the world of medicine or health do you most admire?
All the doctors who have dedicated their lives to the development of health services and are committed to providing an excellent service, while never losing their humanity.
What other career might you have chosen?
I had thought of becoming a barrister, but I have become fascinated with architecture, and would love to study it.
If you could grant three wishes for the health service, what would they be?
Properly funded and resourced specialist mental health services for all ages and groups of people, such as people with intellectual disability, people involved in the justice system and people with enduring mental illness.
Development of primary care services. Positive mental health programmes, aimed at supporting families, children and adolescents and the development of policies which are across Government departments, and reflect people's needs rather than political strategies devised by individual departments.
What is your greatest fear?
That the public health services will be dismantled and downgraded to develop and sustain private for-profit services.
Have you ever been a patient and were you a good one?
Yes I have and yes I was a good patient.
When or where are you happiest?
When I am in Connemara with family and friends.
How do you cope with stress?
I'm not particularly good at dealing with stress. I swim, walk or talk to friends.
What is the trait you most admire in yourself?
Truthfulness.
What is the trait you most dislike in yourself?Impatience.
Do you use alternative or complementary medicine or therapies?
I use arnica for bruises.
Who or what makes you laugh?
Friends and Declan.
What is your motto?
My old school motto: Veritas.
What is your favourite TV or radio programme?
John Kelly's Mystery Train and Antiques Roadshow.
What books would you bring to a desert island?
Books by any Irish short story writers and all of Alice Munro's publications.