About

Dr Emma Aherne is a Partner and GP at Sliabh Medical Practice. Emma began her medical training in RCSI, graduating in 2015. After completing her intern year in Beaumont hospital she worked in emergency and acute medicine in Perth, Australia. She returned to Ireland to commence her GP training in 2017 and completed her specialist training with the South East GP training scheme in 2021. She is passionate about women’s health, family planning and contraception and is fully trained in all forms of long acting contraception, as well as being a contraceptive and LARC tutor for GP Trainees. She has a passion for teaching and is a GP trainer with the South East GP scheme. She holds a diploma in Occupational Medicine and helps to provide our extensive Occupational Health service to local businesses. Emma is also a Roaccutane prescriber and provides our Roaccutane service in the practice. Emma is a mum to twin girls and in her spare time enjoys Pilates and spending time with her family.  

Dr Ciaran Foley is a GP and partner at Sliabh Medical Practice, where he has cared for patients and families since 2018. Ciaran has a particular interest in joint, muscle and sports-related injuries. He served as team doctor to the Waterford senior hurling team for six seasons, experience that he brings to every patient who arrives with a sore knee, a stiff shoulder or a hip that has been niggling for months. He is experienced and performs joint injections in the practice, so patients can be assessed and treated without a hospital referral. He also carries out minor surgery in the practice's dedicated theatre, including the removal of skin lesions, cysts, lipomas and ingrown toenails. Ciaran has an interest in osteoporosis and is a Certified Clinical Densitometrist and leads the practice's on-site DEXA scanning service. He holds a Professional Diploma in Occupational Medicine and works with employers across the South East delivering occupational health services. Ciaran is an Assistant Scheme Director with the South East GP Training Scheme, helping to train the next generation of Irish general practitioners; work that keeps his own practice current and that he sees as an investment in general practice across the region. Outside the surgery, he lives with his family in Tramore and is likely to be seen running and swimming on a regular basis.

Miriam graduated from UCC in 1991. She completed her training in General Practice in the UK and worked in the NHS for 10 years. Miriam has been working at the Rowe Creavin Practice since 2007. Special interests include Women's Health, Occupational Health, Diabetes care, mental health and gastrointestinal disorders.

Brianne graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 2012. She completed her intern year in Dublin and continued her hospital training to complete the medical membership examinations. Brianne then started her specialist GP training with the South East GP scheme in 2015 and has been working in her native Waterford ever since. She completed a diploma in musculoskeletal medicine and has a special interest in women’s health and chronic disease care, including asthma, Copd, diabetes and heart disease.

Dr Marian Ryan graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) in 1989 and completed the Trinity College Dublin training scheme in General Practice. She then moved to the United States, where she became board-certified with the American Board of Family Medicine. During her 10 years there, she gained extensive experience in family medicine and caring for patients of all ages. After returning to Ireland with her family, Dr Ryan joined the Rowe Creavin Practice and now works at Sliabh Medical Practice. Dr Ryan’s special interests include mental health, heart health, exercise and women’s health. She is committed to providing patient-centred care and supporting patients as they navigate the healthcare system, helping them access the most appropriate care for their health needs. Dr Ryan has also been involved in teaching and supporting young doctors throughout her career. She believes that we are constantly learning every day, and that our patients and their families are among our best teachers. “I feel very privileged to be involved in the care of for our patients and their families in this dynamic new practice"

Dr Kate Fitzpatrick is a General Practitioner at Sliabh Medical Practice. Originally from Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Dr Fitzpatrick graduated from NUI Galway in 2012 and completed her specialist General Practice training under the ICGP Dublin-Mid-Leinster scheme. Her extensive medical background spans critical areas of healthcare, including four years of specialist training in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine across major Irish hospitals in Dublin, Galway and Sligo. She also spent two years working as a Doctor on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, where she gained invaluable, hands-on professional experience in various aspects of emergency medicine and general medicine. Dr Fitzpatrick holds a Diploma in Dermatology from the RCPI and has completed advanced training in community gynaecology through the ICGP. Outside of her medical career, Kate is a proud (and busy!) mother to two young girls. She is an avid triathlete who has competed at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships on two occasions with several age-group national titles. She is also a passionate supporter of Waterford hurling.

Originally from Canada, Dr Sophia Bekiaris received her medical degree from University College Dublin in 2021. After completing her internship in Waterford, she joined the South East GP Training Scheme, where she gained clinical experience in Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Emergency Medicine, Psychiatry, Geriatrics, Acute Medicine and General Practice. Dr Bekiaris is passionate about providing high-quality, compassionate and patient-centred care, with a particular emphasis on educating and empowering patients to take an active role in their health. Her professional interests include preventative medicine, chronic disease management, women’s health, and medical education. Outside of medicine, Dr Bekiaris is an avid traveller and food enthusiast who enjoys discovering new cuisines and keeping active through strength training, pilates and yoga.

Dr Farkas will join the Sliabh Medical Team in October 2026