The MAHSC (Manchester Academic Health Science Centre) inaugural lecture series celebrates the remarkable contributions of our honorary MAHSC clinical chairs. These prestigious honors, awarded by the University of Manchester’s Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, recognise distinguished individuals across Greater Manchester who have demonstrated excellence in research, education, and clinical practice.

Through this lecture series, MAHSC provides a platform to showcase not only the achievements of these clinical leaders, but also the real-world impact of their work on patient care, innovation, and population health. Each lecture offers a unique insight into the personal and professional journeys behind the research, highlighting how clinical practice, collaboration, and curiosity come together to drive meaningful change across our health and care system.

In this lecture, Professor Rohna Kearney, Consultant Urogynaecologist and Hospital Medical Director for Saint Mary’s Managed Clinical Service, Manchester University NHS Trust, shares her journey into pelvic floor health – a field often under-recognised, yet vital to improving outcomes and quality of life for women – demonstrating how patient-led questions can shape research and lead to lasting impact.

Throughout her MAHSC inaugural lecture, Professor Rohna Kearney offered a thoughtful and highly personal reflection on her clinical and research career – one shaped by curiosity, collaboration, and a determination to improve outcomes for women.

Focusing on pelvic floor disorders, an area that has historically received limited attention, her lecture explored how research grounded in real patient experience can help to address important gaps in evidence and ultimately improve care.

A research journey rooted in clinical experience

Professor Kearney began by reflecting on the early stages of her career in Dublin, where her interest in pelvic floor health first emerged.

Working as a senior house officer in a busy maternity hospital, she was involved in caring for women following childbirth in a setting with a very high number of deliveries. This experience provided her with a unique insight into the physical consequences of childbirth, particularly in relation to the perineum and pelvic floor.

Spending significant time examining and treating women post-delivery, she began to question how the body recovers from such trauma and, crucially, whether recovery could be better understood and supported through research.

These early observations did not just shape her clinical interests, they laid the foundations for a research career driven by real-world experience rather than a predefined academic pathway.

Letting patient questions shape research

A defining feature of Professor Kearney’s work is the way it has evolved in response to the questions raised by patients.

During her lecture, she reflected on how many of her research ideas stemmed directly from conversations in clinic – particularly when she felt unable to provide clear, evidence-based answers.

This prompted her to explore areas where the evidence base was either limited or uncertain, with the aim of strengthening understanding and improving the information available to women experiencing pelvic floor disorders.

She described her research journey as “somewhat opportunistic”, shaped by emerging clinical questions, funding opportunities, and discussions with colleagues.

While she acknowledged that a more focused research approach can be beneficial -particularly for those with more protected academic time – her experience highlights the value of remaining responsive to patient need and open to exploring new directions.

Addressing an under-recognised area of women’s health

Pelvic floor disorders, including urinary incontinence and other complications following childbirth, formed the core focus of Professor Kearney’s lecture.

She highlighted the scale of the issue and the impact it can have on women’s quality of life, while also pointing to the relative lack of attention these conditions have received compared to other areas of medicine.

A particularly striking point she raised was the disparity in how conditions are investigated. Drawing comparisons with sports medicine, she noted that athletes experiencing injury or pain are often able to access advanced diagnostic techniques, such as specialised imaging. In contrast, women experiencing symptoms following childbirth may not receive the same level of investigation.

This observation has informed her research, including work exploring the use of MR neurography to better understand nerve injury following delivery – an area that has the potential to improve both diagnosis and treatment.

Her work in this space aims not only to develop new insights, but also to challenge existing assumptions and ensure that women’s health receives appropriate attention within research and clinical practice.

The importance of collaboration and mentorship

Throughout her lecture, Professor Kearney emphasised that her research journey has been shaped by collaboration and the support of colleagues.

From early mentors in Ireland who encouraged her to pursue research opportunities, to the research training she received at the University of Michigan and the teams she has worked with in Manchester and beyond, she spoke about the importance of working within multidisciplinary environments and learning from others.

Since moving to Manchester in 2014, she has been part of a supportive and collaborative research community, which she credited with helping to develop and advance her work.

She also highlighted the collective nature of research, noting that much of her work has been made possible through teamwork and shared expertise across clinical and academic disciplines.

Continuing to focus on prevention and improvement

While her career has explored a range of research questions, Professor Kearney noted that she continues to be drawn back to obstetric-related pelvic floor injury -particularly in terms of prevention, early identification, and treatment.

Her ongoing work reflects a commitment to improving outcomes for women, not only by generating new knowledge but also by ensuring that research findings translate into better care in practice.

By focusing on areas where evidence is lacking, she is helping to build a stronger foundation for both clinical decision-making and patient support.

Looking ahead

Professor Rohna Kearney’s inaugural lecture offered a powerful example of how research can be driven by clinical insight and patient need.

Her work demonstrates the importance of asking questions, challenging assumptions, and addressing gaps in knowledge – particularly in areas that have historically been under-researched.

Through her continued focus on pelvic floor health, she is contributing to a growing body of work that aims to improve understanding, enhance care, and ensure that women’s health issues are given the attention they deserve.