ECHDO's Current Board (Elected 2024)
President - Lene Osmundsen
Vice President - Emilie Mikalsen
Treasurer - Rob Nicoll
Secretary - Frida Bjork Arnardottir
Board Member - Mirela Dežman
Board Member - Xenia Patsalidou
Board Member - Amin Houari
Board Member - Karen Tomlin
Board Bio's
Lene Osmundsen - President
I am a CHD-patient representing the Norwegian adult CHD association «Voksne med medfødt hjertefeil» (VMH). In my day to day life, I work as a clinical psychologist in a somatic hospital, assisting patients with psychological concerns in combination with, or as a result of, physical illness. To me, seeing the whole person is a vital part of any good treatment plan, which also shapes the foundation of my focus as a volunteer. It is my goal for ECHDO that we continue to grow as an arena for patient organisations to come together and feed off each other’s experience in order to best care for our patients in the years to come.
Emilie Mikalsen - Vice President
I work as nurse in an acute observation unit, and I hope my experience and education can allow me to offer more focus on safe, timely and effective patient centered care for CHD patients. As the vice president, I hope to continue advocating and in the end, be able to offer CHD patients a better quality of life and improve their access to healthcare world wide.
Rob Nicoll - Treasurer
I have been on the Board of ECHDO since 2021 Initially as a Director, then Vice President and currently as the Treasurer. I have been a Trustee of the Somerville Heart Foundation for nearly 20 years and I am currently the organisation's President.
Professionally, I have worked in water hygiene management / infection control for over 30 years and the founder of several businesses in the UK and Internationally. I became a Fellow of the Water Management Society for services to the water industry.
In my private life I enjoy the company of my wife, four grown up children and now a granddaughter. I would like to see the same level of support for ACHD patients that the SHF can offer for all the countries that ECHDO represents. There is much to be done.
Frída Björk Arnardóttir - Secretary
For the past 16 years, I have been actively involved with Neistinn, an organization close to my heart. I am a proud mother of two, Kristinn (20) and María (16). My passion for raising awareness about congenital heart defects stems from my personal journey with my daughter, María, who has undergone multiple surgeries in Boston and will need more in the future. This experience has fueled my dedication to advocating for those affected and spreading knowledge about this important cause. I believe that ECHDO is an amazing platform for connecting people and creating real change. Together, we can make miracles happen!
Follow Frida: www.linkedin.com/in/frida-bjork-arnardottir-5a24912bb/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/frida-bjork-arnardottir-5a24912bb/" target="_blank">LinkedIn | www.instagram.com/fridaba1010/">https://www.instagram.com/fridaba1010/" target="_blank">Instagram
Xenia Patsalidou - Board Member
I am Xenia Patsalidou from the beautiful island of Cyprus.
I have been a board member of the Cyprus Association for Children and Adults with Congenital Heart Disease for 25 years.
I actively support my association by assisting with any voluntary action or initiative aimed at relieving the suffering of children with congenital heart disease or addressing their other needs. All the members of our association work tirelessly to strive for a better life for children with CHD.
As a member of ECHDO, my association has had the opportunity to share and receive valuable information, exchange experiences, and gain the knowledge needed to provide the best possible care for children with CHD.
Mirela Dezman - Board Member
I am Mirela and I'm from Croatia. I’m a mother of two daughters, one of whom brought me into the "heart world".
As a volunteer, I am member of Board of directors in ECHDO and also in national Association "A big heart for little heart" where I am devoted to helping families, connecting pediatric patients worldwide who suffer from the same diagnose and inform them about regenerative method in dilated cardiomyopathy, pulmonary artery banding.
I work in a Bank and I have experience in preparing project proposals and applying for international calls in the field of healthcare.
My guiding star is woven by my favorite movie "La vita è bella"
Amin Houari - Board Member
As a patient from Giessen with a congenital heart defect (Tetralogy of Fallot, Melody valve, ICD), I have been connected to the department since my birth, both nationally and internationally in terms of health economics and health policy.
For me, long-term, sustainable and diverse support for the field of pediatric cardiology is a matter close to my heart. Hand in hand with children, families, doctors and politicians, because we are united by a heartbeat.
I am also a board member of the Federal Association of Children with Heart Disease in the Federal Republic of Germany.
Karen Tomlin - Board Member
Hello, I'm Karen and a member of the Echdo committee. I'm also a trustee for the Children's Heart Federation in the UK. I have two children and my son was diagnosed with critical aortic stenosis when he was 4 weeks old. Through Echdo and CHF I want to help improve care and support for people with CHD and their families. I also work as a nurse (in a field completely unrelated to cardiac care!) and like to spend my spare time crocheting and walking my dog.
