Prof. Mark O’Donnell

Meet your consultant

Professor O'Donnell's move back to Northern Ireland recognises his continued commitment to high quality, patient focused vascular surgery care complemented by his personalised approach to the full clinical care needs of our local vascular population. He remains an advocate for patient safety and emphasises the absolute importance of the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme.

Professor O’Donnell attended Medical School at the Queen’s University of Belfast in Northern Ireland between 1994 and 1999 where he graduated with distinction combined with the award of the Northern Ireland Medico-Legal Prize for First Place in Forensic Medicine.

He completed his surgical training as a Specialist Registrar on the Northern Ireland Surgical Training Rotation between 2006 and 2015. He passed the FRCS Exit Examination at first attempt in 2012 and was awarded honours and the UEMS Vascular Gold Medal for first place in the European Board of Vascular Surgery Examination in 2015. He has also completed the United States Medical Licensing Board Examinations and is a Certified Physician in Vascular Interpretation of the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

During his surgical training Professor O’Donnell established a prolific publishing interest with over 100 publications in PubMed Indexed Peer-Reviewed journals, over 100 published abstracts and more than 250 international and national presentations. He has previously been awarded the Society of Vascular Surgery International Scholar Award, Society of Academic Surgery Prize for his research and Belfast City Hospital Young Investigator of the Year. Written submission of theses culminated in the award of a Medical Doctorate in 2008 evaluating ischaemia-reperfusion in patients with peripheral arterial disease and a Master of Medical Science in Education for the Healthcare Professions with distinction in 2009 evaluating career choice in Foundation Doctors.

He continues to lecture at Ulster University and is a regular reviewer for over 20 medical journals. Completion of a Vascular Surgery Fellowship at the World-Renowned Mayo Clinic in the United States between 2012 and 2014 not only complemented his vascular surgery skills but facilitated endovascular proficiency for a range of minimally invasive treatments for complex arterial and venous disease.

He was appointed as an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Mayo Clinic and developed an interest in medical simulation and military trauma education. His appointment as a Visiting Professor at Ulster University confirmed his established interest in academic research and innovation for optimisation of vascular patient clinical care and overall safety. Professor O’Donnell is a faculty tutor for the Royal College of Surgeons Basic Surgical Skills (BSS) and Systematic Training in Acute Illness Recognition and Treatment (START) courses where he was also appointed to the START course reconfiguration group. His continues to remain active on the Editorial Board of the Ulster Medical Journal.

Professor O’Donnell was previously appointed as a Consultant Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon at the East Lancashire Health Trust in 2015 providing patient care for the full remit of vascular diseases followed by a move back to the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust in 2017. He remains proud of the Diabetic Limbs at Serious Risk (LASER) service which was commenced in September 2015 and his supervisory role for Higher Degree Theses.

Professor O’Donnell’s recent transition from the NHS to the independent healthcare sector in November 2024 recognises his continued commitment to high quality, patient focussed clinical care at Newry Clinic. He was humbled to have been awarded the 2023 Doctify Healthcare Professional of the Year Patient Voice Award and 2024 Endovascular Surgeon of the Year (Belfast) Award at the Seventh SME News Annual UK Enterprise Awards.

With regard to his Private Practice, Professor O’Donnell performs office consultations for all aspects of primary and complex arterial, venous and lymphatic disease and is able to perform foam sclerotherapy procedures at Newry Clinic. Professor O’Donnell does not perform arterial operative procedures, endovenous radiofrequency ablation or open operative varicose vein surgery at Newry Clinic.

Website

Personal profile

I love hanging out with my twin sons. I struggle to admit that they can now beat me with their eyes closed on all forms of electronic gaming. I remain active in many forms of sporting activities and try to keep as fit as possible on the bike and cross trainer. I will always remain passionate about skiing where I competed nationally for many years throughout Europe – I still try to push the limits of speed on the slopes along with my step-daughter and fiancée.

Professional Qualifications

European Board of Vascular Surgery (Gold Medal for First Place and FEBVS Honours)
Maastricht, Holland – March 2015.

Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI)
The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), United States - February 2014.

General and Vascular Surgery Exit Examination (FRCS)
Intercollegiate Specialty Board of Surgery, United Kingdom - February 2012.

United States Medical Licensing Board Examinations (USMLE)
Step 1 August 2010, Step 2 CK July 2010, Step 2 CS January 2011 and Step 3 February 2015.

Master of Medical Science in Education for the Health Care Professions with Distinction (MMedSc)
The Queen’s University of Belfast, Northern Ireland - July 2009.

Doctorate of Medicine (MD)
The Queen’s University of Belfast, Northern Ireland - December 2008.

Diploma in Sports and Exercise Medicine of Great Britain and Ireland (DipSEM)
Intercollegiate College of Sports and Exercise Medicine of Great Britain and Ireland (GB&I) - May 2004.

General Surgery Membership Examination (MRCS)
Intercollegiate Specialty Board of Surgery, United Kingdom – December 2002.

Bachelor of Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics with Distinction in Microbiology and Pharmacology (MB BCh BAO)
The Queen’s University of Belfast, Northern Ireland - July 1999.

Academic Appointments and Awards / Prizes

Endovascular Surgeon of the Year 2024 (Belfast)
SME News, Seventh Annual UK Enterprise Awards – April 2024.

Healthcare Professional of the Year
2023 Doctify Patient Voice Awards - March 2024.

Visiting Professor, Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences
Ulster University, Northern Ireland – December 2016.

Assistant Professor, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Mayo Clinic, United States – 2013-2014.

Additional Training

Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Fellowship
Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona, United States - 2012-2014.

Society of Vascular Surgery (SVS) International Scholars Program
Harris Health Ben Taub Hospital and St Luke’s Medical Centre, Houston & Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, United States – May 2012.

Professional bodies (Positions held in last 3 years)

Member of the College of Phlebology (MCPhleb)
United Kingdom – October 2024.

Member of the Faculty of Surgical Trainers, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (MFSTEd)
United Kingdom – August 2015.

Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FRCS)
United Kingdom – March 2012.

Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) Certification
United States - March 2011.

Member of the Faculty of Sport and Exercise (MFSEM) Ireland
Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians of Ireland (RCSI&RCPI) - March 2008.

Member of the Faculty of Sport and Exercise (MFSEM) UK
The Intercollegiate Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine (UK) - October 2006.

Member of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS)
Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh -December 2002.

Publications

Hackney L, O’Neill S, O'Donnell M, Spence R. A scoping review of assessment methods of competence of general surgical trainees.
Surgeon. 2023 Feb; 21(1): 60-69.

Boyle E, Reid J, O'Donnell M, Harkin D, Badger S. Thromboprophylaxis for varicose vein procedures - A national survey.
Phlebology. 2019 Oct; 34(9): 598-603.

Robinson KA, O'Donnell ME, Pearson D, Scott Kriegshauser J, Odeleye M, Kalkbrenner K, Bodnar Z, Young-Fadok TM. Portomesenteric Venous Thrombosis Following Major Colon and Rectal Surgery: Incidence and Risk Factors.
Surg Endosc. 2015 May; 29(5):1071-9.

Fankhauser GF, Stone WM, Fowl RJ, O’Donnell ME, Bower TC, Meyer FB, Money SR. Surgical and Medical Management of Extracranial Carotid Artery Aneurysms.
J Vasc Surg 2015 Feb; 61(2): 389-93.

McGrogan D, Mark D, Lee, B, O’Donnell ME. Implementation of best medical therapy for cardiovascular risk factors in vascular surgery patients treated in a tertiary referral regional unit.
Int J Clin Pract. 2014 Sep; 68(9): 1100-9.

Fitzmaurice GJ, McWilliams B, Nolke L, Redmond M, McGuinness J, O’Donnell ME. Do statins have a role in the promotion of post-operative wound healing in cardiac surgical patients?
Ann Thor Surg. 2014 Aug; 98(2): 756-64.

Rychlik IJ, Davey P, Murphy J, O’Donnell ME. A meta-analysis to compare Dacron® versus polytetrafluroethylene grafts for above-knee femoropopliteal artery bypass.
J Vasc Surg. 2014 Aug; 60(2): 506-15.

Fitzmaurice G, McKenna A, Murphy J, McMullan R, O’Donnell ME. Streptococcus bovis bacteraemia: an evaluation of the long-term effect on cardiac outcomes.
Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2014 Mar; 62(3): 142-8.

Makar RR, Badger SA, O’Donnell ME, Lau LL, Lee B, Hannon RJ, Young IS, Soong CV. The impact of endovascular repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm on gastrointestinal and renal function.
Int J Vasc Med. 2014; 2014: 178323.

Krause M, Rodrigues-Krause J, O’Hagan C, Medlow P, Davison G, de Susta D, Boreham C, Newsholme P, O'Donnell M, Murphy C, De Vito G. The effects of aerobic exercise training at two different intensities in obesity and type 2 diabetes: Implications for oxidative stress, low grade inflammation and nitric oxide production.
Eur J Appl Physiol. 2014 Feb; 114(2): 251-60.

Money SR, O’Donnell ME, Gray RG. In the time of significant generational diversity - Surgical leadership must step up!
Surgeon. 2014 Feb; 12(1): 3-6.

McAree BJ, O’Donnell ME, Fitzmaurice GF, Reid JA, Spence RAJ, Lee B. Inferior vena cava thrombosis: review of the literature.
Vascular Medicine. 2013 Feb; 18(1): 32-43.

Meng Y, Squires H, Stevens J, Simpson E, Harnan, Thomas S, Michaels J, Stansby G, O’Donnell ME. Cost-effectiveness of cilostazol, naftidrofuryl oxalate, pentoxifylline and Inositol nicotinate for the treatment of intermittent claudication in people with peripheral arterial disease in the UK.
Health Technol Assess. 2011 Dec; 15(40): 1-210.

Treatments and areas of interest

At Newry Clinic, we can offer you high level care for the following medical issues:

• Assessment of primary, recurrent or complex varicose veins.
• Sclerotherapy for symptomatic varicose veins.
• Cosmetic Sclerotherapy / Microsclerotherapy treatment for varicose veins.
• Assessment and Treatment of patients presenting with lower extremity venous ulceration, varicose vein bleeds or other infective lower extremity venous complications.
• Out-patient clinic assessment of arterial pathologies including the carotid artery for the prevention of stroke; abdominal aorta for aneurysmal or occlusive disease; complex lower extremity circulatory problems; thoracic outlet syndrome; and diabetic foot disease

(Note: Professor O’Donnell is able to perform Foam Sclerotherapy Procedures at Newry Clinic. He does not perform arterial operative procedures, endovenous radiofrequency ablation or open operative varicose vein surgery at Newry Clinic).

Consultation Fee

Initial Face-To-Face Consultation Fee with Scan £220
Follow Up Consultation Fee £130

Administration Fee – Newry Clinic
A £30.00 admin fee is charged in addition to the Consultation Fee

Associated Insurance Companies

• H3
• Bupa
• AXA
• Aviva
• Vitality
• WPA
• Benenden
• Cigna
• Healix