Thursday, 5th June 2025
Professor Jennifer Walsh appointed as the new Master of The National Maternity Hospital from
1st January 2026.
The National Maternity Hospital’s Board of Governors ratified the appointment of Professor Jennifer Walsh as Master of The National Maternity Hospital following a recommendation by an Interview Panel. Professor Walsh will take up her role on 1st January 2026 for a period of seven years.
A graduate of UCD, Professor Walsh is currently a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and Maternal and Fetal Medicine Subspecialist at the National Maternity Hospital. She has worked at The National Maternity Hospital since 2016, joining after the completion of postgraduate subspecialty training at Columbia University in New York. She is currently the Director of Fetal Medicine at the hospital.
Professor Walsh sits on the Project Team for the move to the new National Maternity Hospital at the SVUH campus. She also chairs the Digital Health Steering Group for the future hospital.
Speaking about the appointment of Professor Walsh, Pat McCann, Deputy Chair of the Board of The National Maternity Hospital said: “I am delighted that a person with the experience and expertise of Professor Jennifer Walsh has been appointed to the role of Master. It is an exciting time for The National Maternity Hospital as we progress with the development of the new hospital while still providing excellent care at Holles St. I know Professor Walsh will provide excellent leadership to the team at The National Maternity Hospital and I look forward to working with her”.
Following her appointment Professor Walsh said: “I am honoured to have been appointed as Master of The National Maternity Hospital and am excited to take up the role from January 2026. Having worked as a consultant at the NMH for almost a decade I know what a wonderfully skilled team of colleagues I will be working with. I’m looking forward to us all continuing to provide the best care for women and babies in the years to come.
Current Master, Professor Shane Higgins said: “I would like to wish Professor Jennifer Walsh every success when she takes on the role of Master in January. Having worked with her since 2016, I know she is a wonderful doctor and will bring her vision and determination to provide excellent healthcare to women and babies at The National Maternity Hospital”.