The Executive Committee

joannewalker3@nhs.net

SVT President - Jo Walker

I am based in a busy Vascular Studies Unit along with 6 other CVS’s working for 7 Vascular Consultants. I started training as a TCD specialist technician in 2001, and quickly went on to train in vascular ultrasound, completing a PgC Vascular Ultrasound at Leeds Uni, and passed my SVT AVS in 2006.

I have a keen interest in carotid ultrasound, EVAR surveillance, EVLT, and TCD (including TCD for Sickle Cell in Children). I have been a practical assessor for the Leeds PgC Vascular Ultrasound Course and the SVT Practical Assessments.

Prior to my current SVT Committee role I sat on the SVT Education Committee for 2 years as the SVT Study Day Coordinator, and have assisted with SVT CPD reviews. I am keen to support our diverse group of Clinical Vascular Scientists and those involved with Vascular Ultrasound, and promote our Society within the healthcare environment and the DoH.

My hobbies include driving sportscars on trackdays, mountain-biking, snowboarding, and walking my dog around the Leicestershire countryside.

k.tinkler@ucl.ac.uk

Past President - Kerry Tinkler

Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust

I began working in vascular science in 1995 at Leicester Royal Infirmary as a research technician in theatres, monitoring and analysing emboli during carotid endarterectomy. Trained as a clinical vascular scientist in Portsmouth and Kings until 2000 when I took on the Royal Free vascular lab and developed the service. I started project work within the Trust and was seconded to the department of health on many projects around service improvement in diagnostics and increased my portfolio to include all physiological sciences and am now the clinical lead for physiological sciences at the Royal Free.

I enjoy eating out, travelling and socialising preferably with good wine! I love gardening and animals and have a cute pet rabbit. I am not very sporty but like to keep reasonably fit by dragging myself to the gym.

Teresa.Robinson@UHBristol.nhs.uk

Vice President - Teresa Robinson

I started out with a degree in Electronic Engineering followed by 4 years at Kings College Hospital specialising in electronic and computer engineering applied to the problem of detecting early vascular disease with Doppler ultrasound. I began clinical vascular scanning when I joined the Vascular Studies Unit at Bristol Royal Infirmary in 1995. I have been Head of the Unit since 2003 and have a fantastic team of 4 Accredited Vascular Scientists, 2 trainees, 2 nurse specialists and 1 administrator, covering a wide remit of diagnostics vascular investigations. I also manage our 4 Medical Physics trainees.

I have a specific interest in training and education. I contributed to the SVTs Vascular Laboratory Practice manuals, lecture on a number of vascular ultrasound and emergency medicine ultrasound courses, as well as local physics teaching for our radiologists. Most recently I have been heavily involved with Modernising Scientific Careers as one of the Vascular Science leads, in particularly with writing the curriculum and training manuals for the new training scheme.  In the South West I also chair our Healthcare Scientist Workforce Group for Clinical Physiology (Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Sleep Sciences).

As well as the SVT I am also a member of BMUS, IPEM and the IET.

tanyah.ewen@pbh-tr.nhs.uk

Treasurer - Tanyah Ewen

Peterborough & Stamford NHS Foundation Trust

I am based in the Vascular Investigations Unit at Peterborough City Hospital along with a trainee CVS and a Healthcare Practitioner. I set the unit up in 2000 for three Vascular Surgeons. Peterborough hospital is also a Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit.

I have a keen interest in dialysis access and renal duplex, AAA surveillance, EVAR surveillance and EVLT. I have also been a practical assessor for the SVT Practical Assessments.

I am keen to support the profession of Clinical Vascular Science and those involved with Vascular Ultrasound, promoting The Society of Vascular Technology within the healthcare environment and the DoH.

My hobbies include showing horses and playing polo. I show horses at county level and have competed at RIHS and HOYS. I enjoy driving sportscars, riding motorbikes and skiing.

membership@svtgbi.org.uk

Membership Secretary - Sara Causley

I currently work in Hereford as a Clinical Vascular Scientist. I am a single handed practitioner supported by a Health Care Support Worker. Hereford has a combined Vascular Service with Worcester operating the Hub and Spoke method of service provision with 5 vascular surgeons.

We are currently involved in setting up the National Aneurysm Screening Programme for the two counties. My role in this is to act as Clinical Skills Trainer. When I’m not at work, training people or carrying out membership secretary duties I spend my weekends standing on the touchline watching our son play football and rugby!

newsletter@svtgbi.org.uk

Newsletter Secretary - Grant Robinson

Originally from New Zealand.

Imaging Background - Diagnostic Radiography and Ultrasound (DMU 1992). Trained in Vascular Technology at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, South Wales, qualified AVS 1999.

Started up the Vascular Laboratory in Glan Clwyd Hospital 2003/2004. Joined SVT Executive Committee 2006, initially Member without Portfolio, then Conference Secretary for the period 2007-2009.

Professional interests: EVAR surveillance, AV Fistulae.

Outside Interests- Doing anything in the Welsh countryside - walking, running, cycling. Learning Welsh.

david.carser@belfasttrust.hscni.net

Shadow Treasurer & Sponsorship Secretary - David Carser

A native of Belfast, I have been a member of the SVT since I started working as an assistant practitioner in vascular ultrasound in 1992. After completing my BSc in Clinical Physiology I moved to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle to further my ultrasound training, working in Crispian Oates’ department. I came back to Belfast in 2003, gained my AVS, and have been working for the Belfast Trust since then.

I have always been interested in physiology and feel that being a practicing vascular scientist enables me to maintain that interest in physiological measurement. I do not have an area of special interest and  I am keen to gain as much experience as possible.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my membership of the SVT, especially attending study days and conferences. I now feel that want to put something back into the society and am grateful for the opportunity I have been given. In my current role I hope to attract funding for SVT events and also to promote the society’s work amongst outside companies and organisations. I am keen to hear suggestions about which avenues could be pursued and can be contacted on the email above.

website@svtgbi.org.uk

Website Secretary - Louise Watt

I joined the SVT Executive Committee in late 2009 and my role has evolved in that time from being shadow membership secretary to being responsible for the SVT website.

I have been working in the field of vascular ultrasound since 2005, when I joined Kings College Hospital in London as a trainee. I have been an Accredited Vascular Scientist for two years and have completed an MSc in Medical Ultrasound.

I have recently started a new post at St Thomas Hospital in London, where I am developing my research skills and using ultrasound to research vascular disease.

georgina.fenwick@nhs.net

Chair of Professional Standards Committee - Georgina Fenwick

Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust

I graduated from King’s College London with a BSc (Hons) in Physiology and started at the Middlesex Hospital London as a Trainee Vascular Technologist in 2000. After the Middlesex I worked at St Mary’s London where I successfully passed my accreditation in 2003 and completed my MSc in Medical Ultrasound speciality Vascular in 2005 through Imperial College London.

In 2006 I moved to North London to work at the Royal Free Hospital; I became Head Clinical Vascular Scientist in 2007, since then I have been more involved with the SVT becoming a member of the Professional Standards Committee in 2009; last year I was very excited to became the PSC Chair, where I hope to continue raising the profile of our profession as well as continuing to develop and ensure quality and standards across Vascular Services.

 

jess_matchan@hotmail.com

 

Member without Portflio - Jess Matchan

University College Hospital, London.

After completing my BSc degree in Biology at Leeds University in 2004 I began training as a CVS with Vincent Medical at the Middlesex Hospital, London from 2004.  I completed my training at the Royal Free Hospital, London (2005-2007) and passed my SVT AVS when I returned to Vincent Medical at University College Hospital in 2008. 
 
Having attended a number of AGM I wanted to give something back to the SVT so this is my first year on the Exec Committee as a non portfolio member.
 
Outside of work I love dancing, socialising (especially with good food and wine) and travelling.

conference.secretary@svtgbi.org.uk

Conference Secretary - Vicky Davis