Cork's CUH announces Tipp woman as new chief executive officer

Cork University Hospital (CUH) has appointed Jennifer Kearney as its new chief executive officer.

Ms Kearney, who hails from Tipperary, has worked for more than 22 years in the UK healthcare system in leadership positions.

Her most recent role was deputy chief operating officer at the University Hospital’s Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW), where she oversaw financial strategy and achieved national targets on waiting lists and cancer backlogs.

Prior to that, she served as associate director of operations at Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH) where she led the intensive care unit through the covid pandemic, implemented robotic assisted surgery, and developed an analytical tool to aid swift recovery of waiting lists.

Ms Kearney said that she was delighted to move back to Ireland to take up her new role.

“For me, this is a personal and professional honour, to return to Ireland after so many years and take the helm of an institution as respected and vital as CUH.

“CUH is already a great hospital, thanks to the extraordinary staff who work here every day with dedication, compassion, and professionalism. I’ve been deeply impressed by the team’s commitment and energy. I see a positive and ambitious future for CUH, and I want to be part of shaping it.”

A CUH spokesperson said: 

“Throughout her career, Jennifer has excelled in delivering high-quality patient care with balanced and responsible financial oversight and notably she has led major hospital systems through transformative change.”

“She and her family have chosen Cork to be their forever home and she wants to build on the already incredible services provided at CUH,” said the spokesperson.

“Since June, she has started working alongside the expert staff on the ground and she has a deep commitment to supporting CUH’s mission of delivering world-class healthcare to the people of Cork and beyond.

“CUH, for its part, looks forward to this exciting new chapter and welcomes the new CEO as she leads the hospital into a future defined by excellence, innovation, and collaboration.”