The Irish Pakistani Physicians Association (IPPA) successfully hosted its Annual Health Conference 2026 – LeadWell 2026, bringing together healthcare professionals, medical educators, policymakers, researchers and future healthcare leaders for an inspiring afternoon dedicated to leadership, physician wellbeing and the future of medicine.
The conference commenced with a warm welcome from Dr Mustafa Mehmood, President-Elect of IPPA, who thanked delegates, partners and volunteers for their continued support of the association and its mission to strengthen professional collaboration while promoting excellence in healthcare. The event was professionally compered throughout by the outstanding IPPA Youth Doctors, whose energy and professionalism ensured a seamless and engaging programme.
The conference featured an exceptional panel of distinguished speakers who shared valuable insights from across the healthcare sector.
Prof Deborah McNamara, Past President of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), delivered an inspiring keynote on authentic leadership, emphasising the importance of developing compassionate and resilient leaders for the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Dr Ellen Walsh of the Medical Protection Society (MPS) highlighted the significant role of supplementary medical indemnity in supporting doctors throughout their careers and enhancing physician wellbeing.
One of the most inspiring presentations came from Dr Sana Ajmal, who shared her personal journey of living with Type 1 Diabetes and explained how she transformed adversity into a life-changing mission through Meethi Zindagi, an initiative providing free insulin, education and counselling to children living with diabetes in Pakistan.
Addressing one of the profession’s most pressing challenges, Dr Una Kennedy, National Training Programme Director for Emergency Medicine, explored physician burnout, resilience and practical approaches to maintaining personal wellbeing while working in demanding healthcare environments.
Dr Maria O’Kane, Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Council of Ireland, offered the regulator’s perspective on leadership within the medical profession and outlined ongoing initiatives aimed at improving the wellbeing and professional support available to doctors across Ireland.
One of the conference’s most anticipated sessions was the IPPA Young Doctors Debate, where participants debated the motion: “AI is a Net Benefit for Medicine.” Both teams presented thoughtful and compelling arguments examining the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence in healthcare. Following a lively discussion, the audience voted in favour of the motion, recognising AI’s growing potential to enhance patient care and clinical practice.
The conference concluded with a dynamic panel discussion featuring Prof Deborah McNamara, Prof Suzanne Crowe, Dr Una Kennedy, Dr Maria O’Kane, Dr Ellen Walsh, Dr Ehtesham Khan and Dr Asam Ishtiaque, who explored leadership, resilience, physician wellbeing and the future direction of modern healthcare. The interactive discussion encouraged meaningful dialogue between speakers and delegates on the evolving challenges and opportunities facing healthcare professionals.
The event was further honoured by the presence of Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD, who acknowledged the invaluable contribution of migrant healthcare professionals—or, as he described them, the “New Irish”—to Ireland’s healthcare system and wider society. His remarks highlighted the important role international medical professionals continue to play in strengthening Irish healthcare services.
The afternoon concluded with the presentation of certificates to IPPA Mentors, Volunteers and Poster Competition Winners, alongside tokens of appreciation presented to the conference speakers and distinguished guests in recognition of their valuable contributions.
The IPPA Annual Health Conference 2026 – LeadWell 2026 once again demonstrated the association’s commitment to promoting professional excellence, leadership development, physician wellbeing and innovation within healthcare. The event provided an outstanding platform for knowledge sharing, networking and collaboration while inspiring the next generation of healthcare leaders.
IPPA extended its sincere appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of the conference and expressed special thanks to its valued sponsors and partners—Medical Protection Society (MPS), Inspire Medical and BVI—whose generous support helped make the event possible.
Through initiatives such as LeadWell 2026, IPPA continues to connect healthcare professionals, inspire future leaders and strengthen the healthcare community both in Ireland and internationally.
Source : IPPA Social Pages
