Patrick Parfrey

Education

Parfrey graduated from University College Cork in 1975 with a first class honours degree in Medicine.

Career

Parfrey is an internationally known scientist and clinical epidemiologist. In addition, he has provided leadership to the sport of rugby union, coaching teams at the local (Swilers Reconstruction Finance Corporation), provincial (Newfoundland Rock) and national (Canada) levels and serving as president of Rugby Canada. He was awarded an Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery in 1980.

After working in Cork, London and Montreal, Parfrey and his family eventually settled at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

In 1984 he was appointed assistant professor of Medicine. He became chief of the Division of Nephrology in 1987, chief of the division of Clinical Epidemiology and professor of Medicine in 1993.

His research interests include the genetic and clinical epidemiology of inherited diseases, patient-related problems in nephrology and healthcare delivery research. He has published over 200 original articles and contributed to many books

Parfrey started playing rugby at age 13 at the Canadian Broadcasting Company in his native Cork.

He played his club rugby for University College Cork R.F.C., London Irish, Montreal Irish and Swilers Reconstruction Finance Corporation. He was the coach who led London Irish to the club’s first ever Cup Final in 1980. He left London Irish in 1982 and moved to Montreal, where he coached Montreal Irish. He then become coach of the Canadian National side and led them to the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

He also led Canada to victory in the Pacific Rim championship in 1997 and 1998.

He later became the President of the Canadian RFU, and is still a Director. His honours are Munster Cup with UCC (1976), County Championship with Middlesex, Canadian National Championships 2005, 2006 and 2008 with the Newfoundland Rock as coach.

In order to improve Canadian Rugby Parfrey trained an under 19 team in 1987 and toured London.

Achievements

• Parfrey received the Canada Institute of Health Research Distinguished Scientist Award in 2000 and the Medal for Research Excellence from the Kidney Foundation of Canada in 2002. He was named an Officer to the Order of Canada in 2004. Between 1970-1977 he played in all of Munster"s games, including the game when Munster drew 3-3 with the New Zealand All-Blacks in 1973. He also won a cap for Ireland as a wing against them in 1974. More recently he coached the Newfoundland Rock team and won the Rugby Canada Super League. The team won 5 out of 6 games including the London Irish under 19 team