Spine surgeon O'Leary to return for UCC celebration

Despite being one of the most sought-after spine surgeons in the world whose work has led to great advances in his field, Patrick O’Leary does not feel he is deserving of the alumni achievement award with which University College Cork has honoured him.

“Most of my focus has been on clinical work,” says Dr O’Leary.

“I wanted to see and take care of patients. A lot of the guys who get these kind of awards are people who publish and research. Edward Kiely [a consultant paediatric surgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and a former recipient of the award] was in my class and he is far more deserving of this award.”