Joanne M Jerrome
Information and Support Manager for Atrial Fibrillation Association Education Officer for STARS (Syncope Trust and Reflex Anoxic Seizures)
In 1987 Jo qualified as a teacher and practised in this field for more than twenty years, working in many areas of the UK in mainstream primary schools, with Special Needs teenagers, young pupils excluded from educational settings and with severely disabled adults.
In 2007 Jo was approached to assist and advise in the setting up of Syncope Trust And Reflex Anoxic Seizures’ (www.stars.org.uk) ‘Shine A light On Education’ website. Following this, Care Plans and guidance booklets have been published, training sessions for volunteer representatives organised and on going support for families and educational establishments developed.
In November 2007, following the launch of Atrial Fibrillation Association at the Heart Rhythm Congress (www.heartrhythmcongress.com), Jo was invited to help establish Atrial Fibrillation Association (AFA). To this end, Jo has worked closely with patients, clinicians and interested groups to establish and extend the AFA website, to publish a range of Department of Health endorsed information booklets and AF Checklists, to launch the twice yearly publication of AFA’s newsletter and to assist in organising AFA Patient Days.
Jo sits on a number of medical boards which include:
- Steering Group – British Heart Foundation Teen Site
- AFA Medical Advisory Board
- National Institute Clinical Excellence Guideline Committee for Atrial Fibrillation