This month, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mary Louise Daly who is a long term member of INGID and who has recently taken a new role establishing an adolescent/ transitional rheumatology clinic.

What is your role and where do you work?

• I am a nurse on the medical outpatient’s unit at the university hospital Basel. My role is divided over different clinics but with a particular focus on the development of a transition clinic for adolescents with rheumatological conditions.

What was your previous role with INGID and how many years have you been a member for?

• I have been a member of INGID since 2010. I stumbled across INGID as one of the consultants in my department had funding for a nurse to attend INGID/ESID in 2010 and there were not many English speakers. My boss suggested that I go and see what it was all about. So I went and attended my first general meeting and came home as secretary!

What aspect of being an INGID board member did you value or enjoy most?

• I remember waking up the day after I was elected to the board and thought to myself what have I let myself in for. I had never had such a role before. I can definitely say that after being secretary for 6 years, it was a good decision to join the board. During my time as secretary there were 3 different presidents and each brought special talents and skills to their role. Indeed, all the board members had different strengths and it was great to be part of such a dynamic and empowering organisation. At different times some people did more and others did less but it rotated and was a shared workload with good communication between the board members. Ultimately, it was clear to everyone that the role of INGID was to support and empower nurses which thereby supported patients in managing their conditions.
• I learnt a lot about project management which stands me in good stead now in my present role. I would definitely encourage anyone to join the board. It is a very enriching experience.
• I am working in a German speaking environment and this has made me very aware of the role INGID has to play in ensuring documents and guidelines are translated into different languages. I work with amazing nurses but not all of them can read English and that prevents them accessing information, updates, guidelines etc. INGID does not have the finances to do all the translating but it can certainly help lobbying for funding. It is very important that non-native English speakers also join the board. They are the voices of all the nurses who do not speak English. English speakers do not often think of this issue – they do not have to.

What work are you currently undertaking?

• I am working with a team of doctors and nurses and trying to establish a transition clinic for adolescents with inflammatory conditions. Through INGID, I have had the opportunity to hear about transition clinics. There are some very exciting models out there and I hope to see what we can use and adapt for our clinic. At this stage we are in the early stage of development but hopefully in 1 year I can tell you more.