Ethel Ryan is a Neonatologist and General paediatrician working in Galway University Hospital since 2010. Ethel has been involved in Galway Sick Kids Foundation for the last four years. She has held the position of chair since 2024.

Victoria Bohan is a Senior Medical Scientist with a strong background in healthcare and a commitment to her local community. Her connection with Galway Sick Kids Foundation (GSKF) began following the premature birth of her daughter, Charlotte, who was born three months early and received specialist care in the NICU at Galway University Hospital. Experiencing first-hand the care Charlotte received inspired Victoria to begin fundraising to support the NICU and its families, leading to her involvement with GSKF. Victoria brings professional healthcare knowledge alongside personal experience of the challenges faced by families when a child requires specialist or hospital care. She also brings entrepreneurial experience through her involvement in Galway hospitality. As a trustee, Victoria is passionate about supporting families through their NICU journey and helping make the challenging hospital experience a little easier and brighter for children and their families.

Yvonne Carpenter is the Director of Nursing at St. Mary’s Nursing Home in Galway, bringing decades of compassionate leadership and clinical expertise to the role. Trained as a nurse in England, Yvonne returned to Ireland to work at University Hospital Galway, where she developed a deep commitment to patient care and community support. In the early 2000s, Yvonne took a leave of absence to volunteer in a Belarusian orphanage, caring for children affected by the Chernobyl disaster—an experience that profoundly shaped her approach to nursing and advocacy. Since joining Galway Sick Kids in 2020, Yvonne has been instrumental in helping the charity grow while remaining rooted in its core mission: supporting sick children and their families with empathy, dignity, and practical assistance.

Aoife Plekker is a Galway native, married and a Mum of three, with a strong connection to her local community. She is an Engineering and R&D leader in the medical technology sector, with over 20 years’ experience across engineering, project management, innovation and leadership.

As a Mum, the work of Galway Sick Kids Foundation and the support it provides to sick children and their families is particularly meaningful to Aoife. She is delighted to take on the role of Treasurer and hopes to bring her experience in leadership, financial planning and governance to support the Foundation.

Aoife is proud to be involved with a Galway charity making a real difference to sick children and their families in the local community.

Julie Anne is delighted to be involved with the Galway Sick Kids Foundation for the past number of years. Growing up in both Galway City and County, she has seen the value of the essential services provided in NICU and the Paediatric Services in UHG. Julie Anne works as a teacher in Galway and has nationwide experience in the education and communication sectors for over twenty-five years. She has worked in various roles of teaching, management, teacher education, fundraising, social media and is an advocate of education for all abilities and levels of needs. Her three children were born in UHG and have utilised the various sectors of the Paediatric Services over the past two decades. She has first-hand knowledge of the needs and wants of the paediatric staff, patients, and their families. Julie Anne is a Trustee for the Galway Sick Kids Foundation and holds the role of PRO.

Rachel Walsh is a Galway native and lives here with her husband and their two boys. She has worked with children and young people throughout her career, initially qualifying as a primary school teacher. She now works in postprimary education, supporting teenagers with additional needs, with a particular focus on autism and neurodivergence. Through her work, Rachel has supported young people with complex and co-occurring needs and has worked closely with paediatric services and multidisciplinary teams, including CAMHS and the CDNT, as well as hospital-based medical needs support. Rachel is also a certified Youth Mental Health First Aider. Rachel is passionate about advocating for children and young people and promoting inclusion. She brings a strong understanding of additional needs and the importance of supporting children and families. She is delighted to bring her experience and commitment to her role with the Galway Sick Kids Foundation.