Limerick Person of the Month: Cutting-edge surgeon is honoured

PROFESSOR John Calvin Coffey has been named the Limerick Person of the Month.

Working in UHL and St John’s Hospital as a general and colorectal surgeon, Prof Coffey said he was honoured to receive the accolade.

"This is an award that I'm incredibly proud of and really very proud and delighted to have been nominated for and to receive it. We're here in Limerick since 2010, and this is probably the award I'm most proud of,” said the Cork native.

Speaking of awards and recognition, he was also the recipient of the Bengt Ihre Lectureship and Silver Medal at the Swedish Surgical Society for his leading role in research into the mesenteric organ, which provided an accurate description of abdominal anatomy and led to new treatments for multiple diseases.

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The surgeon and scientist, who also conducts research in conjunction with the University of Limerick, explained the importance of that acclaim.

“That research was recognised recently with this international award. It was from the Swedish Society of Colorectal Surgeons and it's the highest honour that the society actually gives people so we were thrilled as a group and as a team to receive it,” he added.

Living in Limerick for over a decade, Prof Coffey works tirelessly with his team to improve the life of patients with certain diseases and illnesses, leading to a better quality of life.

“Everything that I do from a surgical perspective is very much ‘anatomy’ and as a result of all of the research that we do and have done, clarifies that it helps us treat patients. It helps us treat patients better.

“Already we're seeing patients with various diseases like Crohn's Disease and birth abnormalities all doing better now as a result of this research. Looking at scans and examining those is all now improved as well as a result of the research. So the research has an immediate impact on everything we do on a daily basis,” he explained.

And proving he has a great sense of humour, the professor donned the green jersey of Limerick GAA at the award ceremony in the Clayton Hotel adding that he is “delighted and that's why this award is so important.”