Associate Professor Tom Connell

B BAO BCH B Med Science MRCPI FRACP PhD FRACMA

Executive Director Medical Services and Chief Medical Officer, RCH.

A/Professor Tom Connell was appointed to the role of Executive Director Medical Services and Chief Medical Officer in July 2023. In this role, Tom provides leadership for the Medical Workforce Unit, Senior Medical Staff, Research operations and Medical Education at the RCH and has a key role in access and hospital management.

From October 2018 to Dec 2022, Tom was the Chief of Medicine at the RCH where he provided leadership for Heads of Departments and their staff in 20 departments within the Division of Medicine and five inpatient medical wards. Prior to that appointment, Tom was the Director of General Medicine at RCH where he provided leadership to over 120 staff and gained awards for quality improvement in General Medicine and Specialist Clinics.

In 2016, Tom was the recipient of the RCH Chairman’s Medal, recognising his contribution to improving patient flow, care for complex patients, medical education, clinical research, and workplace culture. Tom has a keen interest in research translation and has published over 80 peer reviewed manuscripts and has mentored and taught many trainees who now have successful careers at the RCH and other major national and international hospitals. He is a current candidate on the Williamson Community Leadership Program cohort for 2023. Tom leads with kindness and is deeply motivated by collaboration and a strong desire to effect positive change.

Tom graduated from University College Dublin in 1996, received Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland in 1999 and Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 2010. Tom completed a PhD through the University of Melbourne in 2011. In 2021, he completed fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (FRACMA). Tom is an honorary Principal Fellow within The University of Melbourne, Department of Paediatrics.