Patient Bridge

At Patient Bridge, we help pharmaceutical Patient Engagement and Medical Affairs teams connect meaningfully with the people they ultimately serve.

My perspective is grounded in both professional expertise and lived experience. Diagnosed with fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis in 2011, I experienced first-hand the uncertainty, isolation, and challenges that can accompany a chronic condition. That experience sparked a commitment to ensuring that patient voices are not only heard but integrated into the decisions that shape healthcare, research, and access to treatment.

Over the past 15 years, I have built extensive experience across patient advocacy, patient engagement, research partnership, and collaboration with healthcare organisations, industry, and policymakers. This work has been recognised nationally and internationally, including being shortlisted for the Volunteer Ireland Volunteer of the Year Awards in 2013 and receiving Honorary Membership of EULAR in 2026—an honour awarded to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to advancing the organisation's mission.

What Makes Our Approach Different?

I understand both sides of the conversation.

I understand the priorities, challenges, and compliance requirements facing pharmaceutical organisations. Equally, I understand the realities of living with chronic disease, navigating healthcare systems, and engaging with research and treatment decisions.

This unique perspective enables me to:

  • Translate patient insights into actionable strategic recommendations
  • Facilitate authentic and meaningful engagement with patient communities
  • Support the development of patient-centred programmes and initiatives
  • Provide expert patient input across the medicine lifecycle
  • Strengthen relationships between industry, patient organisations, and patients
  • Ensure patient engagement activities deliver genuine value for both patients and organisations

 

 

From Patient Voice to Patient Impact

I have held senior leadership positions in Ireland and Europe for many years. In Ireland I led the Young Arthritis Network of Arthritis Ireland and served on the Board for six years before being employed by the organisation to manage the national helpline. While there, I initiated and implemented a direct referral programme from rheumatology clinics to Arthritis Ireland. Growing the programme from concept to full roll-out, developing realtionships with rheumatology clinics and MDTs across Ireland.

In Europe, I led the EULAR Young PARE Committee for 4 years, having first become involved with PARE after their conference was held in Dublin in 2015. I was the local liaison for that conference and loved being hands on with the conference and the diplomacy required to support delegates from all over Europe.

Subsequently volunteering with EULAR PARE I engaged with many programmes, including podcast hosting, newsletter editing and Day in a Life video production.

In 2022, I was elected Chair of the EULAR PARE Committee. Overseeing the work of a committee of 20 people, three sub-committees and 20 working groups has been a challenge and also a privilege. My ability to think strategically, while also managing the operational tasks and managing the individual requirements and needs of all members of the community has stood to me. 

The respect for the work I have done and the impact I have had, has resulted in my receiving Honorary Membership of EULAR.

     

    Mission

    To embed meaningful patient partnership in health policy, research, and access.

    Vision

    A health landscape where decisions consistently reflect patient realities and needs.