Sue Alderton, Trustee
Monday 24th September 2018
I am pleased to announce the appointment of our newest trustee to the Heart Valve Voice Trustee Board. Susan Alderton, Senior Chief Clinical Physiologist and Echocardiography Lead from Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen University Hospital Trust brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of echocardiography and with heart valve disease patients.
As a member of the British Society of Echocardiography (BSE) Council, Susan learned about the valuable work that Heart Valve Voice performs to raise awareness of heart valve disease from her colleague and BSE President, Keith Pearce. Her experience working with heart valve disease patients has made her see the importance of raising the profile of heart valve disease and educating the public on the signs, symptoms and need for earlier detection and treatment.
“Echo plays a fundamental part in the diagnosis and monitoring of valve disease and we should promote our services to you as much as we possibly can,” said Susan, “Surgical and non-invasive procedures have improved considerably over recent years and we’re able to diagnose and monitor patients sooner and more effectively to optimise care and quality of life. With advancing technologies and techniques it is contributing to improved mortality and treatment success which is an exciting thing to be a part of.”
Susan will be able to bring her expertise and passion to the trustee panel and is eager to get involved in the various events, campaigns and initiatives that the charity has planned, including the upcoming European Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day.
“It’s important to me that awareness is raised about the significance and severity of valve disease both for healthcare professionals and patients – particularly as I see the effects it can have on quality of life of patients I work with on a daily basis,” said Susan. “With first hand experience of heart valve disease I am best placed to be able to make a difference in this community for the benefit of both those living with heart disease and those trying to decipher the best treatment plan.”
We believe Susan will be an excellent addition to the Heart Valve Voice team and I look forward to working along side her.
Chris Young,
Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Heart Valve Voice Chairman.