The Team

Melanie Nugent,
Interim CEO

Melanie Nugent, Interim CEO

Melanie joined AIIHPC in 2024 as Programme Manager – Education & Practice, bringing extensive experience across palliative care, nursing, clinical education, practice development and programme leadership.
As Interim CEO, Melanie will provide leadership to AIIHPC working closely with the Board, Council of Members, staff team and our 27 member organisations, funders and wider partners to maintain momentum across AIIHPC’s work and continue progressing our shared vision for palliative care across the island of Ireland.

Dr Mary Rabbitte, Programme Manager for Research

Mary joined AIIHPC as a Programme Manager in April 2017 where she leads on the Institute’s research programme and supports the continued strategic development of the Institute’s Palliative Care Research Network (PCRN). As well as working collaboratively as part of the AIIHPC team on the strategic and operational implementation of the Institute’s programmes.

Mary is an experienced and creative researcher and educator who has managed, developed and delivered research, education and consultancy programmes in the academic, health care and business sectors. As a clinician she has also worked psychotherapeutically with people with life limiting illnesses with special focus on people with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Her research master’s focussed on identifying psychological and psychotherapeutic approaches for people with MND and her doctoral thesis is in Chemistry. She has a particular interest in identifying people’s needs in relation to palliative care and empowering people to feel competent in providing best practice care.

Paula Pinto, Programme Manager for Policy and Engagement

Paula is a Chilean lawyer with a Diploma in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Social Entrepreneurship. She has worked in the private sector particularly in insurance and shipping; She has worked in the charity sector where she gained extensive experience in NGO grants management, developed policies, and ensured compliance to funders and charity regulations.

Debbie Wilkinson, Programme Manager for Technology and Innovation

Debbie joined AIIHPC in December 2023 as Programme Manager for Technology and Innovation. She has a Master’s Degree in Human Rights Law and is a member of both the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development and the Chartered Management Institute. She has previously worked as a Regional Programme Coordinator for Digital Inclusion at disability charity Leonard Cheshire, and as Training Manager for Advice NI, overseeing the operational and technical delivery of programme/project functions in both roles. Debbie has been a Board Trustee for various charities in her career, providing insights and advice on e-Learning platforms, training, safeguarding and finance.

Sarah Caldwell-Kenny, Administration Officer – Education & Practice

Sarah Caldwell-Kenny joined AIIHPC in August 2023 as Administration Officer. Sarah has ten years of administrative experience working within the public and not-for-profit sectors as well as within education. She holds a 2.1 level 8 bachelor’s degree in Drama Studies from the Dublin Institute of Technology.

Sarah previously worked for the HSE and the International Society for Quality in Healthcare and values working for organisations with an ethos to promote and improve healthcare quality and patient safety.

Yvonne McCahill, Programme Manager – Policy & Engagement

Yvonne McCahill, Programme Manager - Policy & Engagement

As Communications Project Manager, Yvonne works across a range of AIIHPC communications activities, including the annual public awareness campaign, Palliative Care Week. Yvonne has extensive experience in healthcare communications, advocacy and stakeholder engagement. During her time at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, she worked on major public health policy campaigns, such as obesity, tobacco, immunisation and the Public Health Alcohol Act. Yvonne has also worked within the HSE, supporting the Press and Media team in responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Miriam Ahern, Programme Manager for Nursing Home Education and Project Echo

As Programme Manager for Nursing Home Education and Project Echo, Miriam is leading the Institute’s components of a new national programme for palliative, end-of-life and bereavement care in the nursing home sector.

The National Nursing Home Programme (Supporting Palliative, End of Life & Bereavement Care) is an initiative of the Irish Hospice Foundation in partnership with the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC) and the HSE. Miriam manages the delivery of Project ECHO* AIIHPC networks, webinars and a dedicated zone on the Palliative Hub Learning Platform to support nursing home staff working in the Republic of Ireland.

From 2012-2021, Miriam worked as Director of Strategy and Development with the Irish Gerontological Society. She is a Certified Management Consultant and a Fellow of the Irish Institute of Management Consultants and Advisers.

Jane Clare, PCRN Project Manager

Jane joined the AIIPHC in October 2023 as the Project Manager for the Palliative Care Research Network and the Early Career Research Forum. Jane comes to the AIIHPC with a background in social research, both in managing research and conducting it herself. She is an experienced researcher and has many years’ experience working in the disability and healthcare sectors using rights based and person-centred approaches.
Jane has a Degree and Masters in Sociology and Social Policy and has lectured at third level on the sociology of health, mental health policy and social research methods. Janes research interests include designing and implementing meaningful collaborative research strategies and the impact of social rights movements on social policy.

Catherine Brady,
Office Manager

Catherine Brady, Office Manager

As AIIHPC’s Office Manager, Catherine plays a key role within the Institute by managing all activities central to the effective and efficient operation of the office including supporting the Institute’s governance arrangement and engagement with member organisations and funders. Catherine holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration/Management and Diploma in Social Care Studies. Catherine highly values working for an organisation where the dignity and care of people is a priority.

Dr Busra Ertugrul, Research Support and Knowledge Translation Lead

Busra joined AIIHPC in May 2025 as a Research Support and Knowledge Translation Lead to support PCRN and ECRF members, and AIIHPC’s hospice and palliative care providers, on research design, methodology, delivery, and impact, including through research Special Interest Groups and newly established Community of Practice for Clinical Site Research. Busra is an experienced nurse, researcher, and educator who has managed, developed, and delivered research, nursing education, and clinical mentorship programs in both the academic and healthcare sectors. Her MSc and PhD research focused on eliminating restrictive nursing practices. She has worked on projects on ethical climate, ethical leadership, job satisfaction, holistic and evidence-based nursing care, and nursing education. More recently, she worked as a postdoctoral researcher at University College Dublin, contributing to the National Quality and Safety Project through the use of realist evaluation and systems thinking. She has a particular interest in needs assessment and the development of comprehensive solutions based on the identified needs of patients, their families, and healthcare staff.

Sarah Toland, Executive Assistant

Sarah joined AIIHPC as Executive Assistant in October 2025. She brings extensive experience from her previous roles in the private sector, public sector, and many years in the financial sector. In her role as Executive Assistant, Sarah provides administrative support to the CEO and works closely with the Office Manager to ensure the smooth running of office and governance processes. Sarah values working in an organisation that aligns with her personal values and contributes meaningfully to improving the lives of vulnerable people.

Vicky Butler, Administration Officer

Vicky Butler, Administration

In early 2026 Vicky Butler joined the AIIHPC team as Administration Officer. Vicky has spent more than 20 years working in the not-for-profit sector with the last 10 years’ experience in a number of administration roles. Vicky is recognised for her strong organisational skills and her approachable, supportive manner with both staff and stakeholders.
Demonstrating strong commitment to the organisation’s values and mission, Vicky plays a key role in ensuring the team runs efficiently and contributes to a positive, welcoming work environment.