Louise is new Director of Midwifery at MUH
Louise O’Malley, Director of Midwifery at Mayo University Hospital.
Mayo University Hospital (MUH) marked International Day of the Midwife on Tuesday, April 5th, by celebrating the appointment of Louise O’Malley as its new Director of Midwifery and the invaluable contribution of midwives to healthcare.
This global day of recognition highlights the skill, compassion, and dedication of midwives who support women and families at some of life’s most important moments. Louise’s career journey, spanning nearly three decades across Ireland and the UK, serves as a powerful example of the rewarding and impactful opportunities within midwifery. Her leadership reflects not only a commitment to excellence in care but also the importance of inspiring the next generation.
Originally from Portacloy in North Mayo, and now residing in Charlestown with her husband Tony and their three children, Louise brings almost 30 years of experience to the role of nursing and midwifery. Born to Mayo natives Freeda and Tony O’Malley, she has always retained strong ties to Mayo.
Louise is a proud graduate of University College Hospital Galway, where she qualified as a General Nurse in October 1996. In 1997, she relocated to London, commencing her midwifery career at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington. She returned to Ireland with her family in 2007 and continued to commute to London for work until 2015. This period was formative in shaping her professional development and enabled her to remain in the midwifery profession until opportunities became available in the west of Ireland.
In 2015, Louise joined Sligo University Hospital where she progressed from staff midwife in the labour ward to the position of Clinical Midwife Manager 3. In August 2021, she took up a role at Mayo University Hospital, further advancing her leadership experience.
Prior to her appointment as Director of Midwifery, Louise held the position of Assistant Director of Nursing and Midwifery (ADONM) for four years, during which she gained extensive leadership and management experience.
In her new role, Louise is responsible for a comprehensive range of maternity services, including inpatient and outpatient maternity care, neonatal services, gynaecology, colposcopy and ambulatory gynaecology services.
Speaking about her appointment, Louise said: “I am honoured to have taken up the role of Director of Midwifery at Mayo University Hospital. I am committed to leading and supporting a team of compassionate and highly skilled midwives who provide safe, high-quality care to women and their families. I am passionate about promoting evidence-based practice, fostering a culture of collaboration and respect, and driving continuous quality improvement.
“This is a very exciting time for maternity services in Mayo. We are committed to continuously improving and evolving our services to ensure women and their families receive the best possible care, close to home.”
She added: “I would encourage those considering a meaningful and dynamic healthcare career to explore midwifery, a profession that offers the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of women, babies, and families every day.”
Catherine Donohoe, Hospital Manager at Mayo University Hospital, said: “We are delighted to welcome Louise O’Malley as Director of Midwifery. Her leadership, expertise and dedication to women and families will be instrumental in the continued development of our maternity services and in supporting our midwifery teams.
“Our wonderful team of midwives at Mayo University Hospital consistently demonstrate exceptional dedication, professionalism, and compassion in the care they provide. Their expertise, combined with a deeply person-centred approach, ensures that mothers, babies and families are supported with dignity, respect and reassurance at every stage. Their commitment plays a vital role in delivering safe, positive and high-quality care but also a deeply positive and memorable experience for families at one of life’s most important moments. I am delighted to have an opportunity to recognise all their hard work on International Day of the Midwife.”
