On behalf of the Board of Directors I am pleased to announce the appointment of Patricia Doherty as Chief Executive Officer of St Michael’s House with effect from the 1st March 2011.

 Patricia joined St Michael’s House as a Social Worker in 1977, was promoted to the Post of Divisional Manager, Children’s Services in 1984, and subsequently to the post of Deputy Chief Executive Officer in 1992. 

 During her time as Deputy, Patricia has played a key leadership role in the development and expansion of the organisation’s community based services for children and adults with an intellectual disability with specific responsibility for the restructuring of the organisation, the development of Strategic Plans, Corporate HR, the implementation of Family Councils, Leadership and Advocacy Programmes and developing the functions of Training, HR, Research, Finance, Fundraising, Communications, Property & Transport to support the significant growth in services achieved over the period.

 Patricia replaces Paul Ledwidge who was CEO of St Michael’s House since 1993. Paul has availed of the HSE Early Retirement Scheme but will remain as a consultant to the organisation in a voluntary capacity until the end of 2011.

 Patricia holds a BA, and a Master of Science Degree in Organisational Behaviour from TCD, a Diploma in Social Science and Social Administration from U.C.D. and a C.Q.S.W, C.A.S.S from Bristol University.

We wish Patricia every success in her appointment and look forward to working with her in developing our services in what will be a very challenging time.

 Maurice Bracken

Chairperson.