On September 18th, the Irish community in San Francisco gathered for the second event in our Making it in America series, this time focused on Innovating in Healthcare. The evening brought together leaders from across health, tech, and research to explore how innovation is shaping the future of care.
Our panel featured:
- Niamh Donnelly, Co-Founder and CTO at Akara Robotics
- Jennifer O’Malley, Clinical Associate Professor of Child Neurology at Stanford University School of Medicine
- Gary Ryan, Senior Director of R&D Portfolio Strategy & Analytics at Gilead Sciences
- Cheryl Reinking, Chief Nursing Officer at El Camino Health
The discussion was moderated by Rhona O’Leary, Chair of the Board of Directors, Genentech Patient Foundation, and SVP, Global Head of Portfolio and Product Development Strategy, Genentech & Roche
The evening began with remarks from Naoise Kenny, the new Vice Consul, who highlighted Ireland’s strong global role in healthcare innovation—nine of the top ten pharmaceutical companies have a presence in Ireland. With that backdrop, the panel dove into themes of innovation, leadership, and the unique Irish perspective on success in the U.S.
Insights from the panel
One theme that emerged early was the value of perspective. Several speakers noted that Irish professionals often bring a global outlook, a sense of humor, and strong relationship-building skills—qualities that can be especially valuable in navigating the complex world of healthcare. Technical expertise matters, but success often depends on the ability to connect with people and build trust.
The panel also touched on leadership and career growth, emphasizing that adaptability is essential in a fast-changing industry. Mentorship was described as critical for guidance, while sponsorship was framed as even more powerful: opening doors to projects, committees, and leadership roles that accelerate careers. The willingness to take risks and embrace failure was highlighted as a key ingredient in driving progress and creativity.
Innovation in healthcare is rarely just about technology—it’s about change management. Hospital leaders spoke to the importance of governance and staff buy-in, while those in health tech described how automation can relieve staff of manual, time-consuming tasks. The shared insight was that new solutions succeed only when they improve both efficiency and patient outcomes.
Data and AI were another focal point, with examples ranging from faster clinical trial planning in pharma to more accurate diagnostic tools in research, and new ways of tapping into decades of hospital records. While the applications vary, the common thread was clear: data-driven decision making is allowing healthcare organizations to move faster, reach more patients, and make care more effective.
Perhaps the most powerful insights came when the panel turned to the human impact of innovation. Advances in robotics, neurology, and gene therapy are not just technical achievements—they are transforming outcomes for patients and families. From easing the workload of nurses to giving children with previously untreatable conditions the chance to live more independent lives, the discussion underscored how innovation in healthcare is ultimately about improving quality of life.
The evening made clear that the Irish community continues to play a meaningful role in driving progress in the Bay Area’s healthcare sector. It also reminded everyone that success in this field requires more than breakthrough science; it calls for leadership, collaboration, and a shared ambition to make lives better.
