Emerging Leaders Conference 2026
On the 22nd and 23rd January 2026, the College of Anaesthesiologists held their first ever Emerging Leaders Conference in Merrion Square.
The College’s inaugural conference for newly appointed consultants and senior trainees, marked an important step in supporting colleagues in the early years of specialist practice.
Aimed at those within five years of completing training or taking up a consultant post, as well as fellows and SAT 7 trainees, it offered a welcoming space to reflect on the transition to independent practice.
Inspiring leadership sessions, opportunities to engage with mentors, and meaningful cross-disciplinary networking fostered a strong sense of community and professional growth at this pivotal career stage.
Please read a reflective piece by Dr Aislinn Sherwin below
“Emerging Leaders Conference”
The Inaugural Emerging Leaders Conference was held in January 2026 and marked an important milestone for anaesthesiology leadership in Ireland. To see the programme come to life after months of planning, and resonate so strongly with our attendees was so rewarding.
Our thirty attendees had the opportunity to develop on their existing leadership skills, share learnings with each other and participate in open, honest discussion about the leadership challenges that we face in our roles in 2026.
While our programme was based on the original ANZCA Emerging Leaders concept, we recognised that we needed an Irish and European slant to our own conference – with a curriculum shaped by those who understand our own health system, the realities for perioperative and critical care teams, and the challenges of stepping into leadership while maintaining demanding clinical roles. We had the pleasure of welcoming experts in leadership, both within and outside of healthcare. This allowed us to develop a programme that felt authentic, relevant, and tailored to the needs of our colleagues.
Across two days, our speakers delivered thoughtful, impactful sessions, and the feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. Many reported gaining confidence, practical tools, and a renewed sense of purpose. Reflecting on the experience, I feel proud of what we achieved and excited for how this initiative can continue to support future leaders in our specialty.
I’d like to say thanks to my co-convenors, Dr Carrie Murphy and Dr Noelle Healy and Lauren McKenna in the CAI, without whom, the conference would not have been such a resounding success. With that in mind, I look forward to developing 2027’s ELC and hope to see many more leaders benefit into the future!”