The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has announced the appointment of Ms Sharon Foley as Secretary General Designate. Ms Foley will take up her appointment on 17 August, having served as Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Hospice Foundation for over 11 years to date.
Announcing Ms Foley’s appointment, IPU President Mr Dermot Twomey said: “In a highly accomplished career, Sharon has built a reputation as a results-focused leader with significant experience in advocacy and resource negotiation, healthcare transformation, change management, stakeholder engagement, in addition to her extensive organisational management skills. She has over 15 years’ experience as a CEO of pivotal national organisations, most recently as Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Hospice Foundation and previously as the founding CEO of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency.
“Sharon has extensive knowledge of health policy, health promotion, primary and public healthcare, and is well positioned to further build the contribution of community pharmacy in Ireland and to bring the organisation forward for the benefit of members, communities, patients and the overall health sector in Ireland.”
Ms Foley commented: “I am honoured to take up the role of Secretary General of the IPU. This is an exciting time for community pharmacists in Ireland, as the healthcare sector continues to evolve rapidly. Pharmacists are a highly valuable and skilled healthcare resource, who are very much trusted by the public and communities. This has been further accentuated by their exceptional commitment to public health throughout the pandemic crisis. Their potential contribution to future primary healthcare is immense and I look forward to working with members and the IPU’s committees to maximise pharmacists’ unique contribution to accessible, equitable, patient-focused primary healthcare.
“I would also like to pay tribute to Darragh O’Loughlin as outgoing Secretary General and thank him for his immense service and contribution to the IPU,” Ms Foley added.
