1921 – 2013. Born London. Doctor. He studied medicine in U.C.D. with clinical training in the Mater Misericordiae Hospital. After graduation, he returned to the UK to do National Service as a Captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps based in Catterick. After an appointment for 6 months as a medical officer in the Mater he obtained a medical officer post in Stoke Mandeville Hospital at Aylesbury in England. This hospital included the pioneer rehabilitation unit for spinal injuries in England – if not in all of Europe. He was then appointed as the Mater Hospital’s first tutor in clinical medicine – a U.C.D. college lecturer appointment. He was asked by the Sisters of Mercy to advise on the possible change of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Dún Laoghaire to a rehabilitation hospital. At the request of the Sisters he wrote a document describing the value and necessity of such a hospital and recommending the site as very suitable. This was accepted by the Department of Health. The Sisters arranged for a team of Sisters and Nurses to go the Stoke Mandeville for training.
Dr. Gregg obtained a fellowship to New York University for 6 months based at the Rusk Rehabilitation Hospital in New York. He later got a further travelling fellowship for 3 months to visit Scandinavian rehabilitation facilities, and also visited hospitals in other European countries. He was appointed as Senior Medical Officer at the National Organization for Rehabilitation (National Rehabilitation Board), later titled Medical Director. He was a Consultant at the Richmond and Beaumont Hospitals and briefly at the Mater Hospital. He was appointed as Medical Director of the NRH. Working in close collaboration with the Sisters of Mercy, Dr Gregg played a prominent role in the clinical, physical and caring development of the National Rehabilitation Hospital with a strong sense of community for patients and staff. Landmark developments included introducing an air ambulance service for spinal injuries in collaboration with the Air Corps, the introduction of a limb fitting service, and the establishment on-site of the Occupational Therapy School (since transferred to T.C.D.).
Founding Medical Director of the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, the only specialist rehabilitation hospital in the country 1961 onwards (formerly the National Medical Rehabilitation Centre), Chairman of Cerebral Palsy Ireland (now Enable Ireland) and Board member of Mental Health Ireland. Dr. Gregg remained a very active member of the N.R.H. Board for many years after retirement.
Dr. Gregg served as chair of Foxrock Parish Council for a number of years. He was also medical officer of Foxrock Parish Pilgrimage to Lourdes. While studying at U.C.D. he established an additional college branch of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The award was presented on 24 Feb 1989 in the chapel at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire. He is buried in Shanganganagh Cemetery.
