Many tributes paid to GP and WiMIN founder Dr Sarah Fitzgibbon

Many tributes are being paid to Dr Sarah Fitzgibbon, the widely admired GP and founder of the Women in Medicine in Ireland Network (WiMIN), who passed away yesterday (30 September).

Dr Fitzgibbon was a longstanding columnist with the Medical Independent (MI), chronicling her experience of stage 4 bowel cancer and many other aspects of life with insight, courage, humour and heart. She also wrote a personal blog, Adventures of a Sick Doctor, which she began after her cancer diagnosis in 2014 at the age of 37.

Dr Fitzgibbon qualified in medicine from University College Cork in 2000. She completed specialist training in general practice and thereafter worked as a GP in Cork city.

She was a member of the Deep End Ireland group, which advocates for improved primary care services for people living in areas of deprivation. In 2021, Dr Fitzgibbon began a new role as Primary Care Clinical Advisor with CervicalCheck.

Dr Fitzgibbon founded WiMIN in 2017 and served as Chair until the end of 2025. The network supports, encourages and advocates for women in medicine in Ireland.

With characteristic humour and modesty, she reflected on the genesis of WiMIN in a column published in MI earlier this year: ‘My time in charge of something’:  https://www.medicalindependent.ie/comment/dr-sarah-fitzgibbon/my-time-in-charge-of-something/

In her writing, Dr Fitzgibbon had a unique ability to gently weave wit and wisdom. Through her columns, she frequently addressed issues of social justice, gender discrimination, and doctors’ health.

Her final column was published on 31 August 2026, ‘On the Leaving Cert and all that comes with it’: https://www.medicalindependent.ie/comment/opinion/on-the-leaving-cert-and-all-that-comes-with-it/

Online tributes are being paid to Dr Fitzgibbon from the many people whose lives she touched.

In a statement conveying news of Dr Fitzgibbon’s passing, WiMIN stated: “She advocated for kind, effective and efficient healthcare for all people in Ireland, particularly those who are marginalised. Many of us remember her for reasons beyond her remarkable accomplishments: a wonderful colleague, advocate, friend, doctor, and mentor.”

The HSE National Screening Service posted: “Sarah had a rare ability to see both the person and the system. She brought intelligence, integrity, humour and humanity to every discussion… We are profoundly grateful for her contribution and the lasting impact she has had on our organisation, on improving the health of people in Ireland, and on all who had the privilege of knowing and working with her.”

Dr Suzanne Crowe, former Medical Council President and Paediatric Intensive Care Consultant, described Dr Fitzgibbon as a “leading light in our profession”.

“Sarah took action when she saw something that needed to change. She knew her life would be too short, yet she used every minute to make a difference to others.”

Ms Grace Rattigan, a patient representative with the National Screening Service, stated she was “heartbroken” to learn of Dr Fitzgibbon’s passing. She said it was “a huge honour” to work alongside her.

Editor of the Medical Independent, Mr Paul Mulholland, stated: “It is with immense sadness to mark the passing of Dr Sarah Fitzgibbon. Sarah was a regular columnist for the Medical Independent since 2018. As the mountains of positive feedback we received over the years in response to her wonderful columns attested, she was a brilliant and much-loved writer. No matter the subject, Sarah always brought a lightness of style and wit that was inimitable. Her death is a huge loss to Irish medicine, from her cancer advocacy to her work on supporting women doctors with the establishment of WiMIN.

“We extend deepest sympathies to her family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.”

Dr Fitzgibbon’s funeral arrangements have been published on rip.ie. According to the notice, “Sarah will be sadly missed by her heartbroken family and friends, including her husband Derek and their children Ellen, Will and Catherine, parents Barbara and Frank, brothers Andrew, Gary and Dave, sisters Rachel and Cathy.”