T

There was cause for celebration at Killarney Medical Centre recently as the work of a dedicated and talented nurse was recognised at national level. Popular practice nurse Triona Casey, who hails from Kilcummin, has been shortlisted for Practice Nurse Of The Year at the prestigious GPBuddy National GP Awards which take place in Dublin next Friday.

The GPBuddy National GP Awards honour the tireless efforts of those working on the ground to improve the lives of patients all over the country. The awards, which are now in their third year, were introduced to acknowledge general practitioners and healthcare professionals for their dedication, commitment and innovative contributions to community-based healthcare in Ireland.

Speaking to the Killarney Advertiser, Dr Michael Moloney of Killarney Medical Centre said Triona would be a very worthy recipient of the Practice Nurse of the Year Award. “We’re delighted and very proud that Triona is one of the three to be shortlisted, but we’re not at all surprised,” he said. “She’s a hard-worker, she’s enthusiastic and she’s extremely well qualified. She’s very well respected amongst all the staff, her peers and, most importantly, her patients.

“She has her own independent patient base and she’s qualified in many areas of medicine including chronic disease management, as well as this Triona has recently finished her nurse prescribing training which allows her to prescribe for her patients. It’s a great achievement to be considered for such a major award.”

Triona recieved her degree in Galway before spending seven years in Tralee General. She joined the team at Killarney Medical Centre in 2014 and she has been a practice nurse for 14 years in total.

“It’s a nice to be appreciated and to have the backing of your employers,” Triona said. “My role has been expanding and to have the encouragement of Dr Moloney and Dr O’Doherty is huge. I love my job so coming into work is very easy. It’s like a family here and everyone helps each other. It’s a very up-and-coming practice."

Triona is clearly passionate about her job and she explained that her interest in medicine initially came from caring for a family member.

“I got into nursing when my aunt’s little boy was diagnosed with cancer. We used to help her in the house when he was sick and that was my first taste of looking after people. There’s nothing else I’d do, to be honest. I love looking after people and if there’s something I can do to make someone’s day a bit easier, that’s the reward for me.”

The GPBuddy National GP Awards take place next Friday in the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin. Triona will be joined at the ceremony by her husband Damien with whom she has three children, Ben, Robbie and Nessa. Her mother, Mary, will also be in attendance, as will Damien’s mom, extended family and colleagues from Killarney Medical Centre.