Professor O'Donnell's move back to Northern Ireland recognises his continued commitment to high quality, patient focused vascular surgery care complemented by his personalised approach to the full clinical care needs of our local vascular population. He remains an advocate for patient safety and emphasises the absolute importance of the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme.

Professor O’Donnell attended Medical School at the Queen’s University of Belfast in Northern Ireland between 1994 and 1999 where he graduated with distinction combined with the award of the Northern Ireland Medico-Legal Prize for First Place in Forensic Medicine.

He completed his surgical training as a Specialist Registrar on the Northern Ireland Surgical Training Rotation between 2006 and 2015. He passed the FRCS Exit Examination at first attempt in 2012 and was awarded honours and the UEMS Vascular Gold Medal for first place in the European Board of Vascular Surgery Examination in 2015. He has also completed the United States Medical Licensing Board Examinations and is a Certified Physician in Vascular Interpretation of the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

During his surgical training Professor O’Donnell established a prolific publishing interest with over 100 publications in PubMed Indexed Peer-Reviewed journals, over 100 published abstracts and more than 250 international and national presentations. He has previously been awarded the Society of Vascular Surgery International Scholar Award, Society of Academic Surgery Prize for his research and Belfast City Hospital Young Investigator of the Year. Written submission of theses culminated in the award of a Medical Doctorate in 2008 evaluating ischaemia-reperfusion in patients with peripheral arterial disease and a Master of Medical Science in Education for the Healthcare Professions with distinction in 2009 evaluating career choice in Foundation Doctors.    

He continues to lecture at Ulster University and is a regular reviewer for over 20 medical journals. Completion of a Vascular Surgery Fellowship at the World-Renowned Mayo Clinic in the United States between 2012 and 2014 not only complemented his vascular surgery skills but facilitated endovascular proficiency for a range of minimally invasive treatments for complex arterial and venous disease. 

He was appointed as an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Mayo Clinic and developed an interest in medical simulation and military trauma education. His appointment as a Visiting Professor at Ulster University confirmed his established interest in academic research and innovation for optimisation of vascular patient clinical care and overall safety. Professor O’Donnell is a faculty tutor for the Royal College of Surgeons Basic Surgical Skills (BSS) and Systematic Training in Acute Illness Recognition and Treatment (START) courses where he was also appointed to the START course reconfiguration group. His continues to remain active on the Editorial Board of the Ulster Medical Journal.

Professor O’Donnell was previously appointed as a Consultant Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon at the East Lancashire Health Trust in 2015 providing patient care for the full remit of vascular diseases followed by a move back to the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust in 2017. He remains proud of the Diabetic Limbs at Serious Risk (LASER) service which was commenced in September 2015 and his supervisory role for Higher Degree Theses. 

Professor O’Donnell’s recent transition from the NHS to the independent healthcare sector in November 2024 confirms his continued commitment to high quality, patient focussed clinical care at the Ulster Independent Clinic. He was humbled to have been awarded the 2023 Doctify Healthcare Professional of the Year Patient Voice Award and 2024 Endovascular Surgeon of the Year (Belfast) Award at the Seventh SME News Annual UK Enterprise Awards.

Feedback for Professor O'Donnell can be accessed online - https://www.doctify.com/uk/specialist/professor-mark-odonnell

With regard to his Private Practice, Professor O’Donnell performs office consultations for all aspects of primary and complex arterial, venous and lymphatic disease at the Ulster Independent Clinic. Professor O’Donnell does not perform arterial surgery at the Ulster Independent Clinic.