Edel trained at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin, qualifying as a General Nurse. Her career has spanned a wide spectrum of Irish healthcare, including acute care, disability, complex behaviour, addiction, young chronic sick, and brain injury services.
In 2004, Edel transitioned into older persons’ services within the HSE, where she worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist before embarking on her Advanced Practice journey in 2017. Her dedication and vision culminated in the development of ANP Féileacán Bán Nursing Service, officially opened by Minister Mary Butler in December 2022. This innovative service model delivers care and support from the point of diagnosis through every stage of the dementia journey, with a strong emphasis on returning care to community settings.
Edel’s passion lies in delivering person-centred, rights-based care that includes and supports families of older adults living with dementia. Her professional interests include research into the three D’s, non-cognitive symptoms, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the design of innovative care pathways.