Galway professor becomes President-elect of International Society of Travel Medicine

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galway daily news professor gerard flaherty

A professor at NUI Galway has been announced as the new President-elect of the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM).

Professor Gerard Flaherty, who is a senior academic in the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at the University, will become the first Irish person to be President when he takes up the role in 2023.

Headquartered in the US city of Atlanta, ISTM has 4,000 members in more than 120 countries and is the leading professional association in its field, with strong ties with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US and the World Health Organisation.

Professor Flaherty will hold the role of ISTM President for two years from 2023, following a two year period as President-elect.

“I am humbled to have the opportunity to serve as President of the International Society of Travel Medicine – a prestigious organisation dedicated to promoting healthy, safe and responsible travel through its surveillance, research, educational and community outreach activities,” said the NUI Galway professor.

“Having the privilege to lead a global organisation such as the ISTM places NUI Galway and Ireland centre stage on the world map in this dynamic area of research activity.

“I am fortunate that NUI Galway is such an internationalised institution, with a distinguished international profile.”

Professor Flaherty added that the Global Galway project is a very positive expression of this commitment to sustainable internationalisation.

“My own leadership role in international medical student recruitment over many years has prepared me well for the opportunities that this new role brings,” he said.

“I have greatly enjoyed my previous leadership roles in medical education and preventive cardiology at NUI Galway, but I relish the exciting challenges ahead in this next phase of my career.”