Institute of Dermatologists

Institute of Dermatologists

As An Post honours pioneering Irish women in medicine with a landmark stamp series, Prof. Caitriona Ryan reflects on two decades of transformative care, the growth of the Institute of Dermatologists, and why the best is still to come.

There is a moment Professor Caitriona Ryan returns to often. Early in her training, she was caring for a young woman living with severe psoriasis, a condition that had dismantled the patient’s confidence. When a biologic treatment cleared her skin within six weeks, she arrived at her next appointment wearing a t-shirt for the first time in a decade, overwhelmed with emotion.

“She had avoided intimate relationships her whole life because she was so embarrassed of her appearance,” Caitriona recalls. “I remember feeling so emotional that a young woman of my own age had been so psychosocially impacted by her condition. That reinforced for me that dermatology was the correct path.”

Prof. Ryan founded the Institute of Dermatologists in 2019 with Prof. Nicola Ralph. It has grown from a boutique clinic with 17 staff into a multi-platform operation spanning medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology, clinical research, and an evidence-based supplement brand, ID Formulas. 

Pivotal Influence 

Caitriona’s path to dermatology was shaped by the breadth of the discipline itself. “It spans immunology, oncology and surgery, and successful treatment has the power to transform a patient’s life,” she explains. A pivotal career influence was Prof. Sarah Rogers, Caitriona’s mentor during her time as a specialist registrar in Dublin. “Sarah ignited my passion for psoriasis research. She saw potential in me that I had not yet recognised in myself.” 

From Prof. Rogers, Caitriona learnt that excellence is built through consistency, hard work and continuous learning, and that mentorship carries an extraordinary power. “One person’s belief in you can alter the entire trajectory of your life,” she notes.

When the Institute of Dermatologists was established, the two founders were responding to what they saw as a structural gap. “Historically, most private dermatologists worked in solo practice,” says Caitriona. “We wanted to create a centre where subspecialists worked together under one roof, combining medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology with academic rigour and shared standards.”

Since its founding, the practice has expanded rapidly, and the growth has been recognised with the Image PwC Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 award and reaching the finals of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2025. In June 2026, the Institute plans to open a dedicated skin cancer and Mohs surgery facility. “We want patients in Ireland to feel that they are receiving the very highest standard of care,” Caitriona remarks.

E-Commerce Evolution

As well as offering in-person clinical treatments, the Institute also sells products online. Through fulfilment partner Autofulfil, An Post manages nationwide delivery of the Institute’s online skincare orders. According to Caitriona: “When someone purchases medical grade skincare online, they expect it to arrive quickly and in perfect condition. For our ID Formulas supplement brand, it is essential that subscriptions are fulfilled on schedule and arrive in optimal condition across Ireland and the UK.”

Looking ahead, Caitriona envisions ID Formulas becoming a best-in-class, evidence-based longevity supplement with international reach. The brand is transforming the supplement experience into a data-measurable journey through API integrations with wearable devices that enable customers to track sleep quality, heart rate variability, recovery, and activity levels. “The goal is to allow individuals to see their own trajectory of improvement, not in abstract terms but through tangible data.”

Caitriona Ryan views the demands of her business and academic commitments in UCD as mutually reinforcing. “My research keeps my practice current and evidence based, while teaching keeps me sharp and accountable,” she states. The Institute’s culture of high standards and collaboration, she adds, is something she and Prof. Ralph have extended into education. 

“We want trainees to see what excellence looks like in practice, not just in theory. Each dermatologist we train will go on to care for thousands of patients over the course of their career. Investing in their development is one of the most powerful ways to improve care far beyond our own consulting rooms.”

Legacy And The Stamps

For Caitriona Ryan, An Post’s Women in Medicine stamp series honour the past while issuing a challenge to the present. “I hope our generation leaves behind a culture where female leadership in medicine is entirely normal,” she says. “Not noteworthy, not unusual, simply expected. An Post is commemorating remarkable women who worked in far more restrictive environments. Our responsibility is to widen the path further - to mentor generously, to collaborate, and to build institutions that endure. It is so important that a young woman entering medicine believes she can be a clinician, a researcher, a leader and an entrepreneur, and still live a rich and balanced life.”