The HSE National Cancer Control Programme and HSE Health and Wellbeing have recently appointed five regional Senior Health Promotion & Improvement Officers to work in the area of cancer. Building on the two National Cancer Prevention Officers based at the NCCP. These Regional Health Promotion and Improvement Officers focus on developing and delivering cancer prevention and early diagnosis initiatives in their local areas, working closely with health and wellbeing colleagues and the HSE NCCP. Meet your local cancer prevention officer below
Regional Cancer Prevention Officers
Caroline Murray, CHO2
I am based in Merlin Park in Galway and has been working with the HSE in Health Promotion and Improvement since 2018. I have worked in areas such as Staff Health and Wellbeing and as a Stop Smoking Advisor prior to taking up her role in Cancer Prevention and Early Diagnosis. My qualifications include a Degree in Sport and Exercise Science from University of Limerick and a Masters in Health promotion from NUI Galway. In her spare time, Caroline enjoys outdoor activities with her family.
Bernadette Mullins , CHO3
My name is Bernadette Mullins and I am the Senior Health Promotion and Improvement Officer in Cancer Prevention for HSE Mid West Community Healthcare Organisation. I will be working across Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary to design, deliver and evaluate initiatives aimed at cancer risk reduction behaviours and raising awareness of cancer signs and symptoms in target populations. I will be facilitating the regional implementation of national initiatives led by the NCCP.
Shirley O Shea, CHO4
I am a Senior Health Promotion Officer – Cancer Prevention in Cork Kerry Community Healthcare. Originally from Liverpool, I have an undergraduate degree in Health Promotion and a Master’s in Education. I have worked in Health Promotion for over 20 years, mainly in the area of Physical Activity, working on the development of the National Physical Activity Guidelines and the National GP Exercise Referral Programme, as well as a member the Irish Physical Activity Research Collaboration. I have a huge interest in Exercise and Cancer and was involved in setting up the Cork Dragon boat team and also completing ‘CanRehab’ – training in cancer and exercise for health and fitness professionals.
I am also a Cancer Peer Supporter and a HSE ‘Values in Action’ champion, building the culture of the health service through our behaviours.
Ann-Marie Lawlor, CHO5&6
I have worked within the HSE for over 25 year in the areas of mental health, primary care social inclusion (substance misuse, Traveller & Roma Health and International Protection Applicants and Refugees). I recently took up a new post funded by the NCCP as Health Promotion Officer for Cancer Prevention in Dublin and South East region. I trained as a nurse here in the South East and has added to her experience in other roles promoting health and wellbeing particularly to communities that often experience exclusion or are hard to reach by mainstream services.
Lisa O’Donnell, CHO9
I started work with the HSE 26 years ago as a clerical officer for the Dental Service. I trained to become a dental nurse for the HSE and was part of an Oral Health Promotion team in this role. I have worked as Portfolio Management Support Officer in Community Healthcare Organisation, Dublin North City & County (CHO DNCC) Programme Management Office. I have also worked as PA to the Chief Officer and HR assistant to the Head of HR, both posts were also in CHO DNCC. In May 2021 I was delighted to take up the role of Health Promotion & Improvement Officer and was assigned to the Balbriggan Community Network. In this role I supported health & wellbeing initiatives for staff and service users including Making Every Contact Count, Tobacco Free Campus, Stop Smoking Services and Staff Health & Wellbeing. Since September 2022 I am working as the Senior Health Promotion and Improvement Officer, Cancer Prevention. In this role my focus is on general cancer prevention, skin cancer prevention & early diagnosis. I enjoy working with various disciplines and community organisations/groups to help improve the overall health and wellbeing of the community and staff within CHO DNCC.Outside of work I love to practice yoga, spend quality time with my husband and three children. I also enjoy travelling and have been to places such as San Francisco, New York, Dubai and South Africa.
National Cancer Prevention Officers
Áine Lyng, National
I am the Cancer Prevention Officer with the HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), in post since 2018. My work involves developing initiatives and working closely with Health and Wellbeing to engage our population in cancer risk reduction behaviours. I also work on the early detection of cancer, aiming to support people to act early on potential early signs of cancer. My training is in Public Health and Clinical Exercise Physiology. Before taking up my post with the NCCP I worked at Oxford University Hospitals in public health and as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist. I have completed my MSc in Clinical Exercise Physiology, am a Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist with the American Colleges of Sports Medicine and a Public Health Practitioner with the UK Public Heath Register. Outside of work, love to spend my time exploring and playing with my son and dog outdoors.
Maria McEnery, National
I am the Cancer Prevention Officer with the HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), in post since 2020. I coordinate the implementation of the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan so majority of my work is in the area of skin cancer prevention. I also work in the area of cancer risk reduction more broadly to implement health and wellbeing initiatives to reduce cancer risk within the various populations. I have an undergraduate degree in Health Promotion and a Master’s in Health Project Management. I have worked in Health Promotion for over 10 years working in Australia for a number of years, mainly in the charity sector before working in the HSE NCCP. When I am not working I enjoy running, going to music gigs and spending time with my family and our dog.
