Country
Ireland
Bio
Currently serving as chair of World Physiotherapy Europe region, Esther-Mary D’Arcy also chairs the Professional Practice Working Group of the region. She is the professional advisor for the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, having previously served as its president and as chairperson of both its Professional Procedures/Ethics and International Affairs Standing Committees. While Physiotherapist Manager, she co-founded the Therapy Professions’ Managers’ Group in Galway University Hospital and was its first chairperson. She was also the first chairperson appointed to the Nurse/Midwives Forum in the same hospital; established to improve union management relationships. Subsequently she became a national partnership facilitator involved in enhancing workplace relationships within the Health Service. Esther-Mary holds a Masters in Health Promotion and is a trained facilitator and mediator; she holds a Diploma in the Psychology of Counselling from National University of Ireland, Galway as well as qualifications in conflict coaching and employment law. Married to an environmental author, artist and educator, she has been interested in the environment for nearly four decades. Fascinated by how interconnectedness of issues (e.g. physiotherapy and the environment), applicability of values (e.g. respect, tolerance and compassion) and transferability of skills (e.g. empowerment and leadership), can be combined to enhance impact.