Cork, County Cork, Ireland, November 2025 — Bon Secours Health System Ireland has announced the appointment of Oonagh (O’Driscoll) van Laren as Regional Head of Human Resources, marking a significant milestone in her distinguished career in healthcare leadership and people strategy. In her new role, she will lead regional HR operations and transformation initiatives across Bon Secours’ network, reinforcing its commitment to compassionate, high-quality healthcare delivery and employee well-being.
Oonagh joined Bon Secours Health System Ireland earlier this year as Head of Human Resources, Cork, where she played a pivotal role in advancing organizational capability and supporting clinical and administrative excellence across the hospital. Her appointment as Regional Head is a testament to her strong leadership and proven record in aligning people strategy with organizational growth and patient-centered outcomes.
Before joining Bon Secours, Oonagh served as HR Director at Mercy University Hospital for more than eight years, where she led key initiatives in workforce engagement, HR policy modernization, and talent retention within one of Ireland’s most respected healthcare institutions. She also served as Human Resources Director – Chief People Officer at Sláinte Healthcare, where she was responsible for driving global talent management and organizational development strategies to support rapid international growth.
Her earlier experience includes serving as HR Director at Canada Life for over 17 years, as well as Independent HR Consultant for SMEs, where she provided advisory support in organizational design, restructuring, and talent acquisition. With a career spanning more than two decades across healthcare and corporate sectors, Oonagh brings a wealth of experience in HR leadership, transformation, and governance.
About Bon Secours Health System Ireland
As Ireland’s largest independent hospital group, Bon Secours Health System is renowned for the quality of its service provision and a rich tradition in healthcare. A not-for-profit organization, its mission is centred on delivering compassionate, world-class medical treatment to all those it serves. With over 4,000 staff and 500 leading consultants, Bon Secours treats more than 300,000 patients annually across five modern acute hospitals in Cork, Dublin, Tralee, Galway, and Limerick, along with a Care Village in Cork. The system is internationally accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) for excellence in quality and patient safety.
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