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‘Excellence is your strongest differentiator’: Caitriona Ryan and Nicola Ralph on building the Institute of Dermatologists
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Prof Caitriona Ryan and Prof Nicola Ralph, IMAGE PwC Entrepreneurs of the Year 2025, are the co-founders and consultant dermatologists behind The Institute of Dermatologists, a centre of excellence that has redefined standards in Irish skin health since its launch in 2019.
Three-time nominees before taking home this year’s award, Prof Caitriona Ryan and Prof Nicola Ralph have built a consultant-led dermatology ecosystem grounded in evidence, governance and long-term vision. From an ambitious new Skin and Mohs Surgical Centre to a science-backed longevity supplement years in the making, their next chapter is already well underway.
“We’re absolutely delighted to win, so honoured and overwhelmed,” says Caitriona of the award. “It really does supercharge you with even more enthusiasm and excitement about the future.”
And the next few years look to be exciting for the duo. Following the recent completion of a new surgical suite that houses 30 consultant dermatologists and plastic surgeons, the next stage of their evolution is focused on an anti-ageing and longevity supplement. “With 33 key ingredients to stop skin ageing and structural proteins, it’s been four years of research for us and we’re really proud of it,” says Caitriona. “The other thing that we are embarking on is a big Skin Cancer Centre. Our plans will be to scale this and keep building on what we’re doing to advance dermatology care across the board.”
[Winning this award] felt deeply meaningful. Being nominated three times and then finally receiving this recognition felt like a moment of affirmation for the journey rather than a single year. Building something of substance in healthcare takes time, resilience and consistency, so this award felt like recognition of sustained standards, long term vision and the people who have believed in us along the way. We felt enormous gratitude for our team, mentors, patients and supporters who made it possible.
Our original vision was to build a collaborative, consultant-led dermatology model that placed clinical excellence, patient safety and evidence-based care at its core. That vision has only expanded. Today, the Institute represents a broader ecosystem that integrates medical dermatology, advanced cosmetic care, surgery and longevity science, all underpinned by the same commitment to standards and outcomes. What has evolved is the scale and ambition, but not the principles.
We believe excellence comes from doing the fundamentals exceptionally well, every single day. Our approach is consultant-led, outcomes-focused, and deeply evidence-based. We invest heavily in training, technology and governance, and we are very deliberate about the treatments and innovations we adopt. Trust is everything in healthcare, and we never compromise on that.
Developing a dedicated Skin and Mohs Surgical Centre felt like a natural and necessary evolution of our work. Skin cancer is one of the fastest-growing cancers globally, and we saw a clear need for a centre that could deliver timely access to specialist care while maintaining the highest possible clinical and governance standards. The centre, which will open in June 2026, is being built as a true centre of excellence using a physician-investor model and will house over 20 dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and oculoplastic surgeons working collaboratively under one roof. Bringing a project of this scale to life required long-term planning, shared vision and a deep respect for clinical quality at every stage.
A critical part of this journey has been our partnership with Conor Murphy, who has been an exceptional business partner and CEO in this venture. His leadership, strategic insight and operational expertise have allowed us to translate clinical ambition into a robust, scalable and sustainable model, while ensuring that patient care remains at the centre of every decision.
Our ambition is to create a national and international benchmark for skin cancer care. One that combines surgical excellence, multidisciplinary collaboration and compassionate patient experience. The impact we hope to make is simple but profound: better outcomes, better access and better standards for patients facing a skin cancer diagnosis.
Healthcare is highly regulated, resource-intensive and complex to scale responsibly. Balancing growth with governance, innovation with safety, and ambition with sustainability is a constant challenge. The key has been patience, long-term thinking and surrounding ourselves with experienced advisors who help us make thoughtful decisions.
The impact we hope to make is simple but profound: better outcomes, better access and better standards for patients facing a skin cancer diagnosis.
[Our new supplement] ID Formulas, which launches in April 2026, is the result of several years of deep scientific work, clinical insight and an uncompromising commitment to evidence. What truly sets it apart is that it is supported by a randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial demonstrating an objective reversal in biological age, rather than relying on subjective claims or marketing language.
The formulation contains 32 carefully selected ingredients designed to target multiple mechanisms of cellular ageing, including mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, inflammation and cellular repair pathways. Our goal was not to create a single benefit supplement, but a comprehensive longevity intervention that supports the systems that matter most as we age.
Clinically, the supplement is designed to improve cognitive function, skin and hair health, energy levels, physical performance, sleep quality, recovery and libido. Importantly, it sits within a broader longevity framework that includes clinical oversight, biomarker assessment and lifestyle foundations. For us, longevity is not about aesthetics or quick fixes. It is about measurable improvements in healthspan, grounded in science and delivered with integrity.
We have an incredible relationship and have never had a single argument in all these years. We are both extremely hardworking and share a vision. I think the fundamental values business partners need are mutual respect, shared values, and absolute trust. We are aligned on standards and vision, and we are comfortable challenging each other to make better decisions. Clear roles, open communication and a shared commitment to excellence make collaboration sustainable, even in high-pressure environments.
Our academic backgrounds make us rigorous by nature. We question evidence, measure outcomes and resist shortcuts. That mindset shapes everything from clinical protocols to product development and leadership decisions. We lead with curiosity, accountability and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Our vision is to continue building an integrated dermatology and longevity science ecosystem that sets benchmarks for care, research and innovation. We want to expand access to specialist expertise, lead in skin cancer care, and redefine how dermatology contributes to long-term health and quality of life in Ireland. Everything we do is anchored in the belief that patients deserve the highest possible standards, now and into the future.
To other women looking to bring medical or clinical innovations into the commercial space, we would say, do not dilute your standards to fit a commercial narrative. Excellence is your strongest differentiator. Build slowly if needed, seek out mentors, understand the business fundamentals and trust your expertise. Clinical credibility combined with commercial literacy is a powerful combination.
We’re interviewing each of our outstanding winners from the IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2025. To hear more about their career journeys, expert insights, and more, visit image.ie/pwc.
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