Mary Murray, Advanced nurse practitioner in the symptomatic breast clinic in St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin and a member of the medical advisory board of Marie Keating Foundation.
Occupation: Personal/family:Married to Martin with two children; John and Críona.
What figure from the world of medicine or health do you most admire?
Prof Niall O'Higgins, who has just retired as professor of surgery in University College Dublin (UCD). I admire him for his commitment to develop quality breast care in Ireland, particularly the development of the national quality assurance standards for symptomatic breast disease.
I also have huge admiration for Eileen Furlong in the UCD faculty of nursing for her dedication to promoting cancer nursing education.
What other career might you have chosen?
I would have loved to have studied interior design.
If you could grant three wishes for the health service, what would they be?
Implementation of the quality assurance standards within the next year, development of more cancer support centres, such as Líos Aoibhinn and Arc House, and the introduction of more advanced nurse practitioners within the health system, particularly oncology.
What is your greatest fear?
The lack of equality of care for the elderly in the future.
Have you ever been a patient and were you a good one?
When I was seven, I had my appendix taken out. I was very smitten by nursing at that stage and took my own stitches out.
When or where are you happiest?
I am at my happiest with my family, my nursing colleagues and my friends. Also walking on the beach at Sanibel Island off south west Florida.
How do you cope with stress?
Going for walks.
What is the trait you most admire in yourself?
I have a fast reaction to change and I have a reasonable questioning mentality.
What is the trait you most dislike in yourself?
My inability to say no.
Do you use alternative or complementary medicine or therapies?
I don't, but would consider them if I had to. A lot of patients I work with use them and it is important for me to be knowledgeable about the area.
Who or what makes you laugh?
I love live comic theatre.
What is your motto?
To be appreciative of who you have around you rather than what you have around you.
What is your favourite TV or radio programme?
I like Morning Ireland, Playbackand Marian Finucane.
What books would you bring to a desert islands?
Lifestory, the new publication from The Irish Hospice Foundation, designed to help people to write their own life stories.
In conversation with Fiona Tyrrell