Speakers: Karin van Galen, Rezan Abdul-Kadir, Jo Traunter, Debra Pollard
After graduating in medicine, Mrs. Karin van Galen was trained in the field of internal medicine. She completed her specialisation as a hematologist in 2011 after which she was appointed as Consultant Hematologist at the Department Van Creveldkliniek of the UMC Utrecht. Here she has expanded her clinical experience in the treatment of patients with benign hematological conditions. In addition to patient care Karin van Galen finished a PhD project on joint bleeding in Von Willebrand disease in November 2017 and currently participates in several (inter)national studies on congenital bleeding disorders. She runs post-doc research on pregnancy in inherited bleeding disorders and heavy menstrual bleeding in adolescents, (co)supervises PhD students and is a well-known (inter)national advocate for women and girls with inherited bleeding disorders.
Rezan Abdul Kadir is a Professor and Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Royal Free Foundation Trust and University College London, London, UK. Prof Abdul Kadir is specialised in haemostatic disorders in women and leads a joint multi-disciplinary service for women with bleeding and thrombotic disorders at Katharine Dormandy Haemophilia Centre and Thrombosis Unit at the Royal Free hospital in London.
Her extensive research publications have provided evidence for the management and provision of comprehensive model of care for women with bleeding disorders. She has led several national and international guidelines and co-authored a book entitled "Inherited Bleeding Disorders in Women" first edition published in 2009; second edition in 2019. Prof Rezan Abdul Kadir has also been in the forefront of advocacy for women's issues. She led the establishment of "Women Bleed Too project" with the UK Haemophilia society in 2005; and has been chair /member of its medical advisory board since then. She has played a leading role in international medical societies, patients' organisations and NGOs advocating women's health issues in thrombosis and haemostasis. She is a cofounder and served as a chair/co-chair of women's health issues in thrombosis and haemostasis subcommittee of ISTH. She is also a member of Women's committees for the World Federation of Haemophilia, European Haemophilia Consortium and European Association for Haemophilia and Allied Disorders.
Prof. Dr. Jo Traunter is an academic at the University of Hull in the UK, her research and teaching focuses on Education, Childhood and Youth Studies. Jo is a mother of three and was diagnosed with VWD at the age of 37, despite a long and complex history of bleeding episodes, two of her children have since also received a diagnosis of the condition.
Jo has worked for the VWD working group since its conception and has recently taken responsibility for co-chairing the recently rebranded VWD committee alongside Julia Rauscher. Jo additionally works as trustee for the UK Haemophilia society, sits on the UK VWD working group and chairs the UK HS Women's subcommittee and associated Talking Red events.
Jo has a passion for changing the lived experience of those with VWD, working to raise awareness of the condition and support and advocate for the VWD community. Believing that it is imperative that we raise awareness of VWD and campaign for effective treatment options and access to care for everyone affected by the disorder, wherever they may live in the world, Jo states.
Debra Pollard serves as the Lead Nurse Specialist and Advanced Nurse Practitioner at the Katharine Dormandy Haemophilia and Thrombosis Centre, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK. She is also the Director of Education at Haemnet and contributes as a member of the European Haemophilia Consortium's Medical and Scientific Advisory Group. Additionally, Debra is actively involved with the UK Haemophilia Society and is a member of the Women and Bleeding Disorders Working Group of EAHAD.