GMIT appoints new Head of Nursing, Health Sciences & Social Care Dept.

GMIT is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Justin Kerr as Head of the Nursing, Health Sciences and Social Care Department at the GMIT Mayo campus.





Justin has extensive experience in nursing practice in Ireland, the UK and Australia and has held management positions in nursing, risk management and general management. He is a Registered General Nurse and is currently a member of the undergraduate site inspection team for the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.





Immediately prior to joining GMIT he worked as Assistant Director of Nursing in Mayo General Hospital where he had responsibility for the clinical learning environment of undergraduate honours degree nursing students in Mayo General Hospital, Ballina and Swinford District Hospitals, Roscommon Hospital, the Bons Secours Hospital in Galway and the Galway Clinic. His responsibilities included supporting registered nurses in ongoing professional development and nursing practice standards.





Justin has been involved in, and led on, numerous national and regional initiatives within the Health Service Executive (HSE). He was Regional Co-ordinator for Acute Hospital Services for HSE west with responsibility for coordinating the development of acute care services along the western sea board. He led a project to establish the Symptomatic Breast Disease Network between Letterkenny General Hospital and University Hospital Galway.





As well as having a strong clinical background, Justin holds a Master Degree in Population Health Evidence from Manchester University, a post graduate specialist Diploma in Quality Management from University of Limerick, and a post graduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing from NUI Galway. He is a Fellow with the NHS National Education Scotland Patient Safety Programme and he is currently studying for a PhD with NUIGalway.





Justin holds a Black Belt in Lean Management Systems (healthcare) and has presented to the Irish Centre of Business Excellence annual Lean Symposium in developing Lean systems in health care.





Speaking about his appointment, Mr Kerr says: “I’m delighted to take up this role and looks forward to joining the team in GMIT. It is an exciting time for third level education and there are many opportunities ahead including building on existing programmes and developing new programmes across the nursing, health and social care arena.”





“My priorities will be maintaining the Institute’s strategy of supporting regional development in line with national higher education policy, creating opportunities and collaborations to support the continuing education of undergraduates as well as post graduate health and social care professionals into the future.”





From Dungannon in Co Tyrone, Justin is married to Castlebar woman Yvonne Rowan. The couple have two children.