James Connor Dornan (5 February 1948 – 15 March 2021) was a Northern Irish obstetrician and gynaecologist.[1] He was also a professor[2] and frequently lectured both nationally and internationally, holding the Chair in Foetal Medicine at Queen's University Belfast[3] and that in Health & Life Sciences at the Ulster University.
Early life
editDornan was born in Holywood, County Down. His father, also Jim, was an accountant who served as the General Manager of the Northern Ireland Institute for the Disabled. His mother, Clare, was the first Occupational Therapist in Northern Ireland.
Dornan attended Bangor Grammar School and from there went on to study medicine at Queen's University Belfast where he was mentored by Harith Lamki, Buster Holland and Ken Houston.
Career
editQualifying in 1973, he did his Houseman's year in the Belfast City Hospital before training in his chosen career. He once considered acting as a career.[4] In 1976, he was seconded to Queen's University in Kingston, Canada as a perinatal resident. On returning to Northern Ireland, he rotated around the north to complete his training and obtain an Honours MD from Queen's in 1981 for his research into Fetal Breathing. In 1986, he was appointed a consultant Senior Lecturer and subsequently Reader, before he followed Professor Graham Harley at the Royal Maternity Hospital.[5]
In 2004, Dornan was elected Senior Vice President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in London,[6] having been on its Council as a Fellow for the previous five years.[7] This was issued with the particular responsibility for developing Global health initiatives. Amongst them was the establishment of an emergency obstetrician that provides lifesaving skills for medics, midwives and nurses in under-resourced countries, while working closely with the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.
Dornan embarked on a project of non-clinical writing with his book, An Everyday Miracle, which was published in September 2013 by Blackstaff Press.[8][9]
Dornan also had a late in life turn at acting. He appeared in the third series of the ITV drama Marcella, which stars Anna Friel. He also played a porter in The Fall, in which his son Jamie Dornan played a serial killer.[4]
Personal life
editDornan had three children, Liesa, Jessica and Jamie[10] from his marriage to his first wife, Lorna, who died following a battle with cancer.[11] He lived in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and was married to his second wife Samina who is also a gynaecologist[12] and obstetrician and a strong supporter of legalising abortion in Northern Ireland. She appeared in the BBC Three documentary, Abortion: Ireland's Guilty Secret?.[13] Dornan died on 15 March 2021 after having suffered from COVID-19. He had previously been diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.[4]
References
edit- ^ Healthcare Group, 3fivetwo. "Professor Jim Dornan". Website. 3fivetwo.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Draft abortion guidelines 'causing fear among NI health staff'". BBC News.
- ^ Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, RCOG. "Jiim Dornan". Website. rcog2013.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2013. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
- ^ a b c Harte, Lauren (15 March 2021). "Professor Jim Dornan, dad of actor Jamie, dies aged 73... tributes paid to 'champion for many NI charities'". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
- ^ ""Cancer Has Mad Me Realise What Is Important in Life" ; SUPERSTAR'S DAD PROF JIM DORNAN PROFESSOR OPENS UP ABOUT LIVING WITH LEUKAEMIA". Belfast Telegraph via Highbeam
- ^ "Pregnant women who take slimming pills 'are more likely to have gay children'". The Telegraph.
- ^ Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, RCOG. "Council membership". Website. rcog.org.uk. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
- ^ Press, Blackstaff. "Product An Everyday Miracle". website. Blackstaff Press. Retrieved 11 July 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Reflecting on the miracle of life" The Irish News". Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
- ^ "Tragic past has not stopped Jamie Dornan as he lands “Fifty Shades of Grey” role". Irish Central
- ^ Mallie, Eamonn (14 November 2011). "Professor Jim Dornan on: life, love, loss, love again and his zest for saving life in the womb". Website. Eamonn Mallie. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
- ^ "Jamie Dornan, from The Fall psycho to expectant father". Belfast Telegraph.
- ^ "BBC Three - Abortion: Ireland's Guilty Secret?". BBC. Retrieved 8 July 2020.