Excellence in Health and Medical Journalism Recognised and Rewarded

Dublin, 30th September 2009 - Twelve Irish health and medical journalists were recognised for excellence today at the 2009 GlaxoSmithKline Irish Medical Media Awards. This was the eighth year of the awards competition, created by GlaxoSmithKline to acknowledge and encourage excellence and integrity in the ever-growing area of medical and health-related journalism. Top honours were shared amongst Dr Mark Hamilton, presenter/medical expert, Maggi Gibson, Waddell Media Ltd; and Mark Warren, Mint Productions who were jointly named as winners of the Irish Medical Journalist of the Year. Each will receive a cheque for €1000 and a specially commissioned sculpture from Irish artist, Ronan Halpin. Aisling Murtagh, of Consumer Choice magazine received the award for Young Irish Medical Journalist of the Year. She was presented with a Ronan Halpin sculpture and a cheque for €1500. Jenny Hughes, Government Affairs Director, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals presented the awards with Chairman of the judging panel and MC Dr. John Bowman.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Jenny Hughes, Government Affairs Director, GSK Ireland said, “The healthcare arena in Ireland has never faced a more challenging time: There are greater demands on the health services coupled with unprecedented economic constraints. With change however, comes opportunity as new medicines and treatments are introduced that offer new hope to patients and new choices for healthcare professionals. More than ever, the media has a vital role to play in informing and educating. It is a key voice in highlighting and debating the issues that matter to Irish patients and doctors in a balanced and responsible manner. The GSK Medical Media Awards are designed to acknowledge and to reward excellence in this important area. Every year we see an increase in both the amount and standard of health-related stories in Ireland and this year was no different proving that health is very much at the top of the media agenda in Ireland”.

This year, the judges decided to award the Irish Medical Journalist of the Year 2009, shared by three as follows:

Maggi Gibson, Waddell Media Ltd; producer of the public health educational series: ‘How long will you live?’ and especially for the edition on obesity.
Dr Mark Hamilton/ presenter/medical expert who was the reporter on that programme as he was on another independent production - this time on another highly important public health issue - the level of drinking alcohol among the general population who don’t recognise themselves as having any problem.
This programme ‘When the party’s over’ was produced by our third winner, Mark Warren of Mint Productions.
These are two independently produced health education series both broadcast on RTE television. Both impressed the judges as did the doctor who was presenter in both series.