In a significant development, Professor Sam McConkey, the Head of the Department of International Health and Tropical Medicine at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, has been appointed as the Chair of the European Vaccine Initiative (EVI).
24 November 2023
EVI welcomes Professor Samuel (Sam) McKonkey as the new Chair of the Board, succeeding Clemens Kocken, who has concluded his term as Chair but will continue to serve as vice Chair. EVI extends its gratitude to Clemens Kocken for his extensive commitment and contributions to the advancement and prosperity of the organisation.
Professor McConkey, currently serving as Professor and Head of the Department of International Health and Tropical Medicine at RCSI, as well as a Consultant in General Medicine, Tropical Medicine, and Infectious Diseases at Beaumont Hospital Dublin and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Having previously served as a board member and a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the European Vaccine Initiative, he also played a pivotal role in the Scientific Advisory Committee of the European Malaria Vaccine Initiative from 2007 to 2009.
In response to his appointment, Professor McConkey acknowledged the lessons learned from the swift development of COVID vaccines and the subsequent global disparities in distribution and uptake and stated,
“The global pandemic highlighted the criticality of equitable vaccine availability and put conversations about how vaccines work into the mainstream."
EVI welcomes Samuel McKonkey as the new Chair of the Board, replacing Clemens Kocken, who steps down as Chair after reaching his end of term, but remains as vice Chair. EVI would therefore like to thank Clemen Kocken for his continued leadership as vice Chair of our General Assembly and chair of the Finance and Risk Management Committee - he is setting a great example of dedication to the progress and success of EVI.
Related news: Link to RCSI news