Professor Kearns graduated with honours from the Royal College of Surgeons in 1996. Having completed higher surgical training in Orthopaedics in Ireland, Prof Kearns completed fellowships in Adult Reconstructive Surgery in London Ontario and Foot & Ankle Surgery in Birmingham UK. Research has always been a key area of interest and he has won a number of National and International prizes. No fewer than 49 of his research papers have been published in peer review journals , cited over 460 times. He has made over 100 presentations at National, European and International Meetings. His current interest is on the clinical application of basic science research in the areas of cartilage injury and adult reconstructive surgery.

He currently holds the position of Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in Galway University Hospital and is an Honorary Lecturer at the National University of Ireland, Galway. He has also worked in the private sector for the past eleven years and has established himself as one of the country’s top Foot and Ankle Surgeons. He founded his clinic in the Bon Secours Hospital in Renmore, Galway and has employed a number of Clinical Specialist Podiatrists since January 2015 to help with his practice. He is heavily involved with the advancement of Foot and Ankle surgery in this country and is using and researching innovative products and techniques.

He has a special interest in osteochondral lesions of the ankle and their treatment. Other areas of expertise include lower limb joint replacement, tendon transplant and reconstructive surgery.