Naas GP is named 2023 healthcare hero

Dr Philip Aherne from The Park Medical Centre in Naas, in Kildare, was named a Hidden Hearing Hero at this year’s national awards presentation in Dublin. (Wednesday 11 October, 2023). A winner in the Healthcare category, he was selected for going ‘above and beyond’ for his patients.

Dr Ahern was nominated by patient, Gemma Mallon.  She explained that when Covid hit, Dr Aherne made sure all his patients were seen to, in person, and never insisted on telephone consultations.

“He works tirelessly for the good of others, putting his patients first and making sure everyone is well cared for. When my niece was in hospital, and her parents were not allowed to visit due to Covid, Dr Aherne took it upon himself to make the trip, and check up on her.  He is kind and caring, and we are blessed to have such a wonderful doctor in our community.”

Dr Aherne qualified from University College Dublin in 1984 and has been practicing as a GP in Nass since 1991. 

Celebrities from the world of TV and entertainment turned out to congratulate Dr Aherne and eleven other winners of the 2023 HIDDEN HEARING’ HEROES AWARDS in Dublin.

Kin star, Yasmin Seky, singer Daniel O’Donnell, TV personality Mary Kennedy, actress and new mum, Jenny Dixon, and TV presenters Emer O’Neill, Nuala Carey, and Alan Hughes, were among guests at the gala ceremony to acknowledge Ireland’s everyday superheroes, who do extraordinary things. 

“Healthcare practitioners like Philip Aherne are to be celebrated for the exemplary work they do. Our Healthcare Hero has a lifelong tradition of helping his patients, not only caring for them in a medical capacity, but also supporting their well-being, emotionally, especially during the pandemic when everyone was feeling vulnerable,” Stephen Leddy, Managing Director of Hidden Hearing, said at the awards presentation.

Other winners in the 2023 Hidden Hearing awards included 35-year-old Jonthy Dillon from Dublin, a musician who trained to provide music therapy for the special needs group his brother attends.

A Kerry man who founded Social Action Group Rathmore has dedicated 48 years to working with young people, and was awarded the 2023 ‘Charity Hero Award’. 

Trish O’Neill from Waterford is the scheme’s first ever Sustainability Hero.  A third-generation beekeeper, her love of bees, nature and the natural world, sees her support the ecosystem and natural environment in both her career choice and lifestyle.

The five Phelan brothers from Dungarvan in County Waterford, who cycled the length of Ireland, raising thousands of euros for Crumlin Children’s Hospital won the ‘Family Hero Award’.

The Hidden Hearing awards are open to everyone, young and old, from all walks of life, and with or without a hearing impairment.

Congratulating the winners, ceremony MC, Mary Kennedy told guests that the heroes awards scheme is supported by Hidden Hearing because, like our hearing, special people can sometimes be taken for granted and not fully appreciated.

“It is important to also acknowledge everyone who nominated these wonderful people.  Our winners deserve recognition because, too often, we forget to recognise the ordinary people, doing extraordinary things, quietly, within their community or family,” Mary Kennedy said.