In each newsletter we will be taking a light-hearted look at how ISSHP members spend their off duty hours. This time, it’s the turn of our new Secretary/Treasurer Louise Kenny…..

Louise is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at University College Cork, Ireland and the Director of INFANT (the Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research), Ireland’s first perinatal research centre. Louise has a career long clinical and research interest in uteroplacental insufficiency. She has pioneered the exploitation of metabolomic technology for patient benefit and has discovered and validated biomarkers for the prediction of pre-eclampsia. She has authored over 200 original articles, reviews and book chapters and has developed the first national guidelines in Ireland for the management of hypertension in pregnancy and severe pre-eclampsia.

 

• If you hadn’t become a doctor, is there any other career that you might have chosen instead?

As a clinician, scientist and academic, I sort of have three jobs as it is – and the ability to dip and out of research, teaching and clinical work is wonderful. No two days are the same and I’m never bored. I do, however, have a low boredom threshold so if I did do something else it would have to be high adrenalin, like storm chasing! 

•  What’s your favourite food?

 In general, I like things that are very bad for me. I usually look at the wine list first and choose food afterwards.

• Favourite place?

I’m a city girl at heart. One of the many blessings of an academic career is travel and I’ve been very lucky to visit some amazing cities. My favorite American city is Chicago; I love the architecture, but for sheer history and style I would be hard pressed to choose between Rome and Florence.

• Do you have a pet?

No, but I do have a vacancy! My two sons recently left for University and the house is very quiet in term-term. I would love a dog, something loud, unruly and messy to fill the void!

• Favourite movie?

There are so many- and they are quite varied. As a child of the seventies I grew up with the original Star Wars movies, and they remain some of my favorite films. I am really excited for the new film this winter. Other films that stand out are the Shawshank Redemption, the Godfather, Million Dollar Baby and I also like a good chick flick like Bridesmaids.

• Ideal Sunday morning?

At home with the family, the Sunday papers and a robust political debate with my kids.

• If you didn’t live in Ireland, where else would you like to live?

I love living in Ireland- I think I do live in the best place on earth despite the occasional(!) rain and the recent economic challenges. But as my kids grow older and travel further afield, I’ve realised that home is wherever my family are and I think that so long as they are close by, I could be happy anywhere, within reason.

• Cooking for friends – what do you cook?

I came late to cooking and I’m still on a steep learning curve – my close friends know this and make generous allowances. I make a nice chicken and chorizo dish that’s easy and perfect for large groups but I also love trying new recipes with varying degrees of success. I recently received a wonderful present of a week’s residential cookery course at the famous Ballymalloe Cookery School and just need to find time to attend. This should lead to bigger and better things!

• Stuck in a lift– alone or with others? Who?

It depends on how long the lift is going to be stuck and if I have access to the Internet. If I have this, I’d like to be alone and use the time to clear my ever growing to do list. Without Internet, I’d like to be with my boys. They are always good company and can lift my spirits no matter what the challenge.

• Favourite book?

Long time favorites are To Kill a Mockingbird and Pride and Prejudice. On holiday recently I read ‘Us’ by David Nicholls and was very moved. Would highly recommend it.

• Favourite song?

I have so many that it’s impossible to choose but “In My Life” by the Beatles would definitely be on the list.

• Crunchie or Twix?

Crunchie

• Sun or snow?

In the past there was no contest. We loved snowboarding and skiing as a family but as the kids have been better and faster than me for a long time now and the slopes are less forgiving on my joints I have a growing appreciation of summer holidays instead.

• Favourite gadget?

I am a gadget girl. I am pathologically glued to my iPhone. I recently bought an iPad mini and I’m seriously tempted by the iWatch!

• Favourite holiday?

When my boys were younger we took them on a driving holiday through Nevada, Arizona and California. We covered thousands of miles and we saw the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam, and all the national parks. I think it will always be our favorite holiday.

• Beatles or Rolling Stones?

I’m from Liverpool so it has to be the Beatles.

• Favourite sport or hobby?

I love snowboarding but otherwise I’m not really terribly sporty and don’t enjoy watching it.

• Favourite movie actress?

I think Meryl Streep and Helen Mirren are wonderful and I sincerely wish there were more roles for women in this age group.

• Apple or android (this relates to mobile devices not body shape …)

Apple (see above!)

• What would you like to invent?

Aside from the obvious cure for pre-eclampsia….

• Pet hate

Traffic jams. I’m not famed for my patience!

• Moment of the day?

In work, my favorite moment is still those few seconds when a newborn baby arrives and parents see them for the first time. To be a part of that pivotal moment always fills me with awe and it’s an honour and a privilege to be a part of it.

• The memory:

So many! But from an ISSHP perspective, the first time I saw a baby being born changed my life. Up till then, I was set on a career in cardiology and that moment changed by mind instantly. I can still remember the exact moment, what I was wearing and how it felt. Magical!

• The advice:

I tend to try and not give advice- as I know I ignore most of the advice I am ever given. I do always say just one thing to the new parents I have delivered- and that is to treasure every second of your child’s life. They grow up in what feels like a heartbeat and every moment is precious.

• The virtue:

Probably not for me to say!

• The vice:

Wine and fried food!