Female health professionals are being encouraged to apply for a women-only scholarship for NUI Galway’s MBA programme.
The McGinty Scholarships were established by alumna Dr Geraldine McGinty, a physician executive and radiologist, to empower a new cohort of women who will lead improved and impactful outcomes for patients and healthcare staff.
A special online information forum will be held on Wednesday 24 June at 1pm for female healthcare professionals who are eager to learn what the programme offers.
The McGinty Scholarships are available each year to support two women - one physician and one allied healthcare professional in the MBA programme at NUI Galway.
Established in 2020, the scholarships were introduced to encourage and enable female physicians and allied healthcare professionals to engage in the MBA programme, to support them on a career path to leadership in the healthcare sector.
Speaking about the value of women in healthcare leadership, Dr McGinty said that despite women making up the majority of the healthcare workforce they are typically underrepresented in the highest levels of leadership.
“We know diverse teams drive better results and outcomes so making sure women are prepared to assume senior leadership roles is a key goal.”
Emergency Medicine physician Dr Odharna Ní Dhomhnalláin received the inaugural McGinty scholarship. She said healthcare practitioners bring a unique insight, particularly with regard to patient care and healthcare problems that we encounter in our day-to-day practice.
“The MBA has been very helpful in broadening my thinking and exposing me to the business knowledge that I need in order to pursue leadership and management positions in the future,” she said.
Ann Cosgrove, Chief Operations Officer at Saolta University Health Care Group, said the hospital services operate with a predominantly female workforce, with women delivering and managing clinical services across our health service.
“Ensuring more women reach leadership roles will strengthen our teams. I am delighted that this scholarship has been made available to further develop key leadership pathways for women in the healthcare sector.”
Professor Alma McCarthy, Head of J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics at NUI Galway, said that research shows that diversity in senior management leads to better organisational outcomes.
“We are committed to supporting gender parity in leadership roles and providing women with female leaders who can act as role models.
“This MBA scholarship will help to nurture world-class female leaders who can have a significant impact in their organisations and throughout society,” she said.