ON THE COUCH: FIONA TYRELLtalks to Denise Cremins is development executive with the Medical Research Charities Group (MRCG)
Family/personal:
Recently engaged to boyfriend Shane.
Which living person do you most admire and why?
Michael Griffith who founded a number of charities in Ireland, including the MRCG, as a way of supporting patients and their families and encouraging patient-led research.
What do you regard as the top three problems facing Ireland’s health system?
The lack of a plan for rare diseases in Ireland is a huge challenge as we need to do more to support patients and their families.
We also need more community-based care, which will help reduce the pressure on acute services.
Finally, we need a greater emphasis on fostering a research culture among all healthcare professionals at all levels.
What is your greatest extravagance?
It will probably be my wedding next year.
What is your most unhealthy habit?
Trying to walk in very high heels after a glass of very good wine.
Thankfully I haven’t done myself any damage yet.
How do you relax?
I find swimming great for physical relaxation and meditating for mental relaxation.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
I have a very diverse group of friends who make for really interesting evenings, so them or George Clooney.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Finishing my thesis.
What trait do you most value in your friends?
Loyalty is extremely important to me.
What talent would you most like to have?
I’d love to have the voice for a great party piece when the guitars come out at the end of a night.
Do you use alternative/ complementary medicines or therapies?
I’m usually better at suggesting them than remembering to take them myself, but I always have some rescue remedy, arnica and acidophilus around the place.
What is your earliest memory?
When I was about three my aunt brought us for a walk to a local coffee shop about a mile away where we stopped for a cup of tea.
I was quite annoyed that we had walked all that way when we could have had a cup of tea at home.
What is your most treasured possession?
I don’t think they are quite a possession, but my wonderful family.
What other career might you have chosen?
Something creative, perhaps a writer.
What books or films have inspired you?
The Shawshank Redemption is one of my favourite films. It never fails to move me or remind me of the importance of hope.