Our People | Northern Ireland Pancreatic Cancer

Our President

Mr. Tom Diamond, the eminent surgeon, has taken over the role of President of NIPANC.

Mr. Thomas (Tom) Diamond BSc MD FRCS FRCSI is a recently retired Consultant Surgeon who specialised in disorders of the liver, biliary system, and pancreas. He trained in Northern Ireland and France and was involved in the establishment and delivery of the specialist hepatic, pancreatic and biliary (HPB) surgical service in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Diamond continues to be involved in surgical assessment as a specialist HPB examiner in the Fellowship of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons (FRCS) exit examination.

Our Executive Director

Susan McLaughlin brings almost 30 years of experience in the care home sector to her role as Executive Director of NIPANC, having worked as a registered nurse and in senior leadership and management positions throughout her career. Her background spans frontline clinical care, operational leadership, quality improvement, and service development, giving her a deep and practical understanding of the challenges facing health and social care services across Northern Ireland.

Before assuming her new role with NIPANC, Susan worked in a quality and support role, helping care providers navigate standards, improvement, and compliance during a period of increasing pressure across the sector. After nearly three decades with Four Seasons and Beaumont Health Care, Susan now helps guide NIPANC into its next phase of growth, support, and impact for people affected by pancreatic cancer throughout Northern Ireland. Her approach is grounded in compassion, realism, and a strong understanding of how policy and system pressures impact patients, families, and healthcare staff every day.

As Executive Director, Susan helps lead NIPANC’s work to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer, fund vital research, and support people affected by the disease across Northern Ireland. She is particularly passionate about developing and expanding the charity’s Walking with You programme, helping ensure that patients and families feel supported throughout every stage of their journey.

Susan also contributes to wider cancer advocacy through her involvement with the Northern Ireland Cancer Coalition.

Having lost her first husband, Colin, to pancreatic cancer, Susan is a deeply committed advocate for patients and families. Her leadership is shaped by both professional expertise and lived experience, driving her determination to improve care, understanding, and support for everyone impacted by this devastating disease.