Several members of the UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine leadership team traveled to Ireland to take part in UNC’s “Much More than a Game” program. While there, they built new connections in academics and clinical research and showcased the strength of Carolina on a global stage.
After months of planning, UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine leaders arrived in Ireland with clear goals: exploring partnerships in clinical research, expanding opportunities for clinical trials, and pursuing new technical solutions that could enhance care delivery across the system. After several packed days, and one Tar Heel victory, they left with new connections and new opportunities across all of these areas.
Beginning in Belfast:
The trip started early for UNC School of Medicine Executive Dean, Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, who traveled to Belfast, Northern Ireland as part of a delegation that included Vice Chancellor for Research Dr. Penny Gordon-Larson and Vice Provost for Global Affairs Barbara Stephenson. The group toured Queens University Belfast and laid the groundwork for future research collaboration and student exchange opportunities.
On to Dublin:
Upon arrival in Dublin, UNC School of Medicine Vice Dean for Research, Dr. Blossom Damania represented the School of Medicine on a visit to Trinity College Dublin. Trinity has been an active global partner for UNC since 2012,
and this meeting was meant to find opportunities for further collaboration across medicine, pharmacy, and other areas. In addition to discussions on the research strengths of the respective Universities, leaders like Damania spent time with their counterparts from Trinity discussing areas for future collaboration.
In the Shark Tank:
The American Irish Medical Summit (AIMS) hosted a Shark Tank style event for Irish Health Technology startups to present to several leaders in the world of venture investing. Anita Watkins, Managing Director of UNC Health Ventures, participated as one of the “Shark” judges during this event. In addition, Watkins met throughout the week with several Irish companies to evaluate their strengths as potential investments for UNC Health Ventures.
Substantial Conversations at AIMS:
UNC Health was well represented on the stage at the AIMS conference with both Dr. Meltzer-Brody and UNC Health CEO, Dr. Cristy Page, holding key speaking slots. Meltzer-Brody delive
red a talk on her work to promote physician and provider well-being as a part of the conference’s wellness agenda track. Page participated in the event’s keynote panel, which was moderated by former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams and featured healthcare leaders from both Ireland and the United States.
Pursuing Clinical Research Partnerships:
A major focus of the visit agenda was pursuing expanded partnerships to support UNC Health’s goals in clinical research. The UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine delegation, which also included Dr. Matt Ewend, UNC Health’s Chief Clinical Officer, and Chief Legal Officer, Tom Shanahan, met with companies with U.S. interests and possible collaboration that are supported by Enterprise Ireland, the agency dedicated to helping launch novel biotech and health technology companies. They also visited NovaUCD, the center for innovation and commercialization at University College Dublin. NovaUCD is widely considered one of Europe’s leading University-based innovation hubs. UNC leaders met with their NovaUCD counterparts, toured the facilities, and met with several of the companies based in the innovation hub to 
discuss potential collaborations. Meetings were also held with National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) which conducts industry-focused research across a range of disciplines, including bioprocess engineering, analytical sciences, cell and gene therapy, data analytics, and advanced biomanufacturing. Finally, this group, led by UNC Health’s Chief Clinical Research Officer, Lisa Carey, as well as Damania, met with the leadership of Icon, a global clinical research organization headquartered in Dublin. Each of these meetings laid the groundwork for future clinical research collaboration and active conversations are continuing in the weeks following the visits.