Meet the Senior Members of the Society: Professor Catherine Hayes

Name:
Catherine Hayes

Position:
Professor in Public Health
Trinity College Dublin

SSM member since 2007

SSM committee roles (current or past):
President (2022-2023)
previously External Liaison Lead

Topics of interest:
Tobacco, Obesity Prevention, Population Health Management, Implementation Science

How did your career in social medicine/population health begin?
I had been working as a registrar in medicine for the elderly and debating whether to continue that career path. I discussed this with the Consultant Geriatrician I had worked with at the time, and he suggested I consider undertaking a Master’s in Public Health. Once I commenced on this trajectory I never looked back.

What is your research area and what excites you most about it?
My research area has been focused on maternal and child health, on the determinants of chronic disease, especially tobacco and obesity prevention, in disadvantaged groups. What excites me most about this area is the potential to prevent chronic diseases in future generations and to have an impact on reducing health inequalities.

How has SSM influenced your career journey and what have you got out of being an SSM member?
Being a member of SSM has validated my choice to choose a career in public health and to fully recognize the value of prevention in an effort to address the huge public health problems resulting in major inequities in our society. In addition, I have developed research collaborations with SSM members and made wonderful friends.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their career in social medicine/population health?
Join SSM, attend the conferences and avail of the SSM Mentoring Scheme.

What have you gained most from the SSM Mentoring Scheme, either as a mentor or a mentee?
I have really enjoyed the privilege of being a mentor. It was wonderful to get to know some wonderful people and hopefully I have contributed in a small way to their career development pathways.

Tell us a (fun) fact about yourself that is unrelated to your career.
I sing with others from my local tennis club with a traditional music group in my area on an ad hoc and fun basis.

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This blog is part of a series focusing on the Society’s mid-career and senior members. The series spotlights prominent and active members of SSM to inspire the wider community and highlight the value of membership by inviting members to reflect on their time in the Society.