EUPATI NATIONAL PLATFORM (ENP) NETWORK

Expression of interest in standing for election

ELECTION OF TWO NETWORK REPRESENTATIVES TO THE EUPATI STEERING GROUP

The EUPATI Steering Group is the highest-ranking governance body which is responsible for the EUPATI programme’s strategy and implementation. Each sector nominates two representatives (patients, academics/NGOs, industry and ENPs). The Steering Group meets quarterly. The two network representatives will be the de facto co-chairs of the Network Executive Committee.

I would like to express my interest in standing for election to be a Network representative to the EUPATI Steering Group:

Name / Geanina Aprodu
Country / Romania
Sector [patient, academic, industry] / Patients
Important information about me that voters should know [max 300 words] / In these days, patients and healthy people are stimulated to be involved in decisions affecting healthcare, a position that is supported by legislation, patient groups and governments. The aim of medicine research is to be personalised, to be precise. Patients and generally healthy people need to be educated regarding the health options available for them. Patients need to better manage their health and treatment options.
I know that we have to work a lot in Romania because sometimes people don’t know their rights, or their obligations. Here, the asymmetric relationship between doctors and patients or between public health providers and patients is very present.
So, I want my contribution to improve the level of education, make patients aware of their duty to have a better quality of life and access to the newest medicine, which can save their lives. For this, they have to be involved in the research and development process as active partners.
I think my background is a good combination for different projects for healthcare education. When I decided to start the second specialization everybody asked me why: why I wanted to do something different; did I want to give up pharmacy? What do I like more?
For a while I tried to choose one of them and I didn’t feel good. Then I understand that I can use my entire experience and I don’t have to choose. Precisely due to my double experience I started to work like a psychologist with patients diagnosed whit autoimmune diseases and then I became a volunteer at Lupus Romania and later at Institute for Health Developement and Education.
I have a specific interest in attending this EULAR event because as my attached CV is showing, the rheumatic disease is the main field in which I am working as a volunteer and as a psychologist.
I also think that the opportunity to be one of the EUPATI trainees and part of ENP Romania is an important support for engaging in different projects regarding health, education and advocacy for patients, care givers and family member.

ELECTION OF FOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO THE NETWORK EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Network Executive Committee is the six-person body which is responsible for supporting the effective management of the Network. The Committee comprises of the two network representatives to the EUPATI Steering Group and four other elected network representatives. The Executive Committee meets before and after each Steering Group meeting and as needed [approximately 8 times a year].

I would like to express my interest in standing for election to the Network Executive Committee:

Name / Rozalina Lapadatu
Country / Romania
Sector [patient, academic, industry] / Patient
Important information about me that voters should know [max 300 words] / Helping other people is a dream come true for me. Daily I meet new people, face new problems and new questions about autoimmune diseases. I read a lot and I try to offer quality information to the people. I try to educate them about their diseases and about the drugs they are using, about the drug path from idea to pharmacy and about possible side effects.
EUPATI training course brought me new and detailed information about clinical trials, R&D, HTA, ethics.
All the knowledge I have and get are in the service of helping patients with new therapies and information about disease management. All these will lead to rise drug efficiency, better quality of life for patients. Also allow me to help patients in good understanding of clinical trials, pharmacovigilence, HTA, drugs authorisation, more involvement of patients and passing through fear of participate in clinical trials and claime for their rights.
I am an active person, I like new challenges and love to learn about science and technology, been part of EUPATI developing new projecta will be a great honor for me.