St John of God Hospital has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UCD School of Medicine, officially becoming a University hospital.
This agreement establishes St John of God Hospital as an educational affiliate of University College Dublin (UCD) and sets out the hospital’s role in delivering psychiatry clinical placements for both undergraduate and graduate-entry medical students.
The MOU reinforces St John of God Hospital’s longstanding commitment to medical education, reflecting its role as a teaching hospital over many decades. The agreement represents a renewed dedication to deepening collaboration between the hospital and UCD.
This academic partnership also underlines the Hospital’s contribution to education and professional development of doctors, nurses, and a wide range of healthcare practitioners.
Speaking at the signing of the MOU, Professor Jennifer Hoblyn, Clinical Director at St John of God Hospital, said, “The Memorandum of Understanding represents a pivotal step forward in medical education. By partnering with UCD, we hope to continue providing valuable opportunities to students but also support our own model of care at St John of God Hospital through fresh perspectives and academic collaboration’’.
Damien O’Dowd, Chief Executive of St John of God Hospital, added, “We are delighted to be here today to sign this MOU. This agreement reflects St John of God Hospital’s longstanding commitment to medical education and professional development. This collaboration strengthens our position as a leader in both psychiatric care and education’’.
Professor Brian O’Donoghue, Professor of Adult Psychiatry at UCD said, “This important MOU creates a significant step in bridging academic theory and clinical practice – something we focus on at UCD. Through this partnership, our students can immerse themselves in a clinical environment, where they will develop their skills under the guidance of experienced psychiatrists. St John of God Hospital has several innovative clinical programmes, which will provide a unique experience for UCD medical students’’.
The MOU between St John of God Hospital and UCD establishes a comprehensive clinical education programme where students will engage in eight structured rotational placements at the hospital between April and November. These placements are designed to develop the students’ clinical skills, allowing them to take psychiatric histories, attend ward rounds and clinics and build an understanding of common acute and chronic mental health presentations within inpatient and community settings.
Beyond the clinical placements, this agreement includes robust quality assurance frameworks to ensure educational excellence. Students will participate in detailed placement feedback, adhere clearly to professional conduct standards and benefit from the expertise of the consultant psychiatrists at the Hospital who are involved in teaching as adjunct 
academic staff at UCD.
Photo 1: Prof Brian O'Donoghue, Professor of Adult Psychiatry, UCD School of Medicine; Prof Michael Keane, Dean and Head of UCD School of Medicine; Damien O'Dowd, Chief Executive of St John of God University Hospital; Prof Jennifer Hoblyn, Clinical Director and Consultant Psychiatrist
Photo 2: Dr Stephen McWilliams, Consultant Psychiatrist; Prof Jennifer Hoblyn, Clinical Director and Consultant Psychiatrist; Damien O'Dowd, Chief Executive of St John of God University Hospital; Prof Michael Keane, Dean and Head of UCD School of Medicine; Prof Colin O'Gara, Consultant Psychiatrist and Head of Addiction Services; Dr Giedrius Gerulskis, Consultant Psychiatrist; Prof Brian O'Donoghue, Professor of Adult Psychiatry, UCD School of Medicine
Photo 3: Prof Jennifer Hoblyn, Clinical Director and Consultant Psychiatrist; Tom Rafter and Socha McAllister (medical students)
Photo 4: Prof Michael Keane, Dean and Head of UCD School of Medicine; Prof Jennifer Hoblyn, Clinical Director and Consultant Psychiatrist; Prof Brian O'Donoghue, Professor of Adult Psychiatry, UCD School of Medicine; Damien O'Dowd, Chief Executive of St John of God University Hospital