Catherine completed a BSc (Hons) in Exercise and Sport Rehabilitation in 2006, after which, she spent five years working in the sports injury industry in Ireland. In 2011, Catherine moved to Edinburgh to work with the military as a rehabilitation therapist before deciding to change career paths into anatomy education. In 2013, she graduated with a MSc in Human Anatomy from University of Edinburgh and since then, has worked at University of Edinburgh, University of Southampton, and most recently, Brighton Sussex Medical School (BSMS), where she held the position of Head of Anatomy. She left her position at BSMS in July 2026 to spend more time with her young family.

Due to Catherine’s background in rehabilitation, she has a very keen interest in musculoskeletal anatomy but has taught across all the body systems. As well as teaching undergraduate medical students and postgraduate students, Catherine has taught anatomy to Surgical Trainees, Osteopaths, Sports Therapists, Physiotherapists, Radiologists, Rheumatologists and other allied health science students/professionals.

Catherine completed her PhD (part-time at BSMS) in 2021 which involved exploring how medical students and doctors develop their understanding of social media professionalism and the development of a professional online identity. Her research interests include social media professionalism and the development of anatomy core curricula for health professionals.

Catherine is a member of Council and Fellow of the Anatomical Society and the Chairperson of the Anatomical Society’s Website Media and Communication Committee. She holds external examiner positions at University of Leeds and Southampton.

Catherine teaches Anatomy

Catherine Hennessy BSc (Hons), MSc, PGCAP, PhD, CATE, SFHEA, FAS.