Zoe Paskins takes over as chairperson. Following the retirement of Professor Andy Hassell, the foundation are pleased to announce that Dr Zoe Paskins has taken over as our new Chairperson.
Zoe has served on the foundation committee for six years, and works as an honorary consultant rheumatologist at the Haywood hospital. Her special interest is osteoporosis and bone disease, and she also leads a research group at Keele University in this area.
Zoe said “ it’s an honour and a privilege to take over this important role, and I’m delighted to have been asked. Firstly, I should say huge thanks to Professor Andy Hassell who has been an inspirational leader in this role for the last 16 years. In addition to Andy, the charity officers, trustees and committee members do an absolutely fabulous job and offer so much time and energy to support the foundation on top of increasingly busy day jobs.
It feels like I have very big shoes to fill, but I’m really excited about the new opportunities. It’s been a very difficult 18 months for people with arthritis and related conditions, for healthcare workers, and for the members and volunteers of the Haywood foundation. Now feels like the right time to reconsider how we can best make use of our resources to support people with arthritis and related conditions living in our community. We have started this by looking at new ways of delivering the PIER experience in non-hospital settings. We are also very excited to be launching a new look website soon, and are planning some activities to increase awareness of the work of the charity. The website will be really important for us to share our news, and in particular what we are doing as a charity to make a difference with the funds that we are so kindly donated.
I don’t know if I’ll manage a 16 year tenure, like Andy, but I do aspire to match his enthusiasm, kindness and leadership skills, and I’m very much looking forward to working with the committee and our community on this new chapter for the charity.”