Board Members
Robert Brady
BIO
Robert brings over 30 years of lived experience with the rare pituitary condition and more than a decade of dedicated patient advocacy and support. With a professional background in IT technical support, he has developed expertise in website development, content creation, and digital communications, contributing to a range of patient organisations, including Pituitary Ireland and the Worldwide Adrenal and Pituitary Organizations (WAPO).
From 2015 to 2024, Robert served as Area Coordinator for The Pituitary Foundation UK's Ireland Support Group, where he played a key role in building and supporting a strong patient community across Ireland. His work focused on raising awareness of pituitary disorders, providing information and support to patients and families, and facilitating connections through support groups, educational events, and annual conferences involving both patients and healthcare professionals.
In January 2023, Robert joined the Board of the Worldwide Adrenal and Pituitary Organizations (WAPO), strengthening his commitment to improving awareness, reducing delays in diagnosis and treatment, and enhancing the quality of life of people living with pituitary and adrenal conditions worldwide.
Following the withdrawal of The Pituitary Foundation UK from the Republic of Ireland, Robert was determined to ensure that Irish patients continued to have access to dedicated support and advocacy. This commitment led to the establishment of Pituitary Ireland, where he continues to champion patient support, education, awareness, and advocacy for the pituitary community.
JULIE MCDERMOTT
BIO
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Gabriela Avram
BIO
Gabriela Avram combines lived experience, academic expertise, and a strong commitment to patient advocacy in her role as Director and Board Member of Pituitary Ireland. Living with the rare pituitary condition Acromegaly, she is passionate about improving awareness, education, support services, and healthcare outcomes for people affected by pituitary disorders.
An Emeritus Associate Professor at the University of Limerick, Gabriela specialised in Digital Media, Interaction Design, and Community Engagement. Throughout her distinguished academic career, she led and contributed to numerous national and international research projects and published extensively on collaboration, technology, and community participation.
Gabriela is also an active patient advocate. She is a graduate of the IPPOSI Patient Education Programme and as of October 2025 a graduate from the EUPATI Patient Expert Training Programme, and is now a EUPATI Cohort 8 Fellow, Her advocacy work includes involvement with the Rare Disease Patient Forum, the UCD Radiography Patient and Advocate Advisory Group, and the HealthData@IE project, among other patient and public involvement initiatives.
A regular speaker at conferences, awareness events, and healthcare forums, Gabriela shares her personal experience of living with Acromegaly while advocating for greater patient involvement, improved care pathways, and increased research into rare endocrine conditions. Through her work with Pituitary Ireland, she is committed to ensuring that the voices and experiences of people living with pituitary disorders are represented and heard.
The Board of Directors of Pituitary Ireland brings together individuals with lived experience of pituitary conditions, patient advocacy expertise, and professional backgrounds spanning healthcare, education, research, technology, and community engagement. United by a shared commitment to improving the lives of people affected by pituitary disorders, the Board works to raise awareness, provide support, advocate for better care, and strengthen patient voices.
Together, they are dedicated to building a stronger, more informed, and more connected pituitary community across the Republic of Ireland.