Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
Burden of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases:
Challenges in Work Capacity and Prevention of Disability in the EU
Speaker Biographies
in order of presentation to Conference
Dr Miklós Réthelyi
Dr Miklós Réthelyi, Minister for National Resources; Ministry of National Resources
(Hungary)
Dr Miklós Réthelyi graduated from Medical University of Pécs in 1963, obtained a
Candidate's degree in Biology in 1972, became Doctor of Medical Science in 1982
and Professor emeritus in 2010. From 1986 to 1994, he hold the chair of Professor
and deputy director of Anatomy Department II at Semmelweis Medical University.
He was the Head of the Education Department at the Ministry of Welfare from 1990
to 1991, and the Rector of Semmelweis Medical University from 1991 to 1995. In
1995, he received the Defence of the Nation Medal, and became Director of
Semmelweis Medical University's Healthcare Management Training Centre, holding this position until 2000.
From 1998 to 1999 he was Head of the Department for Scientific Affairs at the Ministry of Education, and
was Director of Semmelweis Medical University's Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology from 1998
to 2001. In 2004 he received the Albert Szent‐Györgyi Award and became Minister for National Resources in
2010.
Mr. János Áder
János Áder, Member of the European Parliament (MEP)
János Áder is a member of the European Parliament since July 2009, and a member of
the group of the European People’s Party. He graduated as a jurist in 1983 from ELTE
in Budapest, and worked as a Research worker at the Sociological Research Institute
of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA) from 1986 to 1990. He’s a member of
the FIDESZ party (roung democrats) since 1988. He was a member of the Hungarian
Parliament from 1990 to 2009; he acted as Vice‐President from 1997 to 1998 and
from 2006 to 2009 and as President from 1998 to 2002.
Professor Paul Emery
Professor Paul Emery, President of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR)
Professor Paul Emery MA MD FRCP currently serves as the President of the European
League Against Rheumatism (EULAR). He is also Arthritis Research Campaign (arc)
Professor of Rheumatology and Head of the Academic Section of Musculoskeletal
Disease at the Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, and is Clinical
Director (Rheumatology) at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
Professor Emery graduated in medicine from the University of Cambridge and
completed specialist accreditation in internal medicine and rheumatology. He
completed his thesis on the immunopathology of RA at Guy’s Hospital, London, and then served as Head of
Rheumatology at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne, Australia. He was
Senior Lecturer in Rheumatology at the University of Birmingham from 1987 to 1995, before taking up his
present appointment.
Professor Emery has served as a member of several education committees, and he is on the editorial boards
of several journals. He is a recipient of the biennial Roche Award for clinical rheumatology, the
Rheumatology Hospital Doctor of the Year award 1999 and the European League Against Rheumatism
(EULAR) prize for rheumatology research 2002.
He has a special interest in the factors leading to persistent inflammation, and is a founder member of the
Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Study (ERAS), the Leeds Early Arthritis Project (LEAP), the Yorkshire Early Arthritis
Register (YEAR) and the Leeds Musculoskeletal Imaging Group.
Dr Gyula Poór
Dr Gyula Poór, President, Hungarian Association of Rheumatologists (HAR)
Dr. Gyula Poór graduated from the Semmelweis University, Budapest in 1977. He started
his medical career at the National Institute of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy,
currently he works as the Director General of the Institute. He was conducting research
on osteoporosis with L. Joseph Melton at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN between
1992‐1993. After returning home he launched the National Osteoporosis Programme in
Hungary, along with others. Between 2001 and 2006 he was invited to join the World
Osteoporosis Programme of the WHO, as rapparteur.
Prof. Poór is a full professor of rheumatology at the Semmelweis University and the
leader of the Postgraduate Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Chair of the Medical University, Targu Mures,
Romania, functioning in Budapest. He acted as the president of Hungarian Society for Osteoporosis and
Osteoarthrology between 1993‐1999, at present he works as the president of Hungarian Association of
Rheumatologists and as the editor‐in‐chief of the journal Hungarian Rheumatology. He serves in five boards
for the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
His major interest lies in the research of metabolic and inflammatory rheumatic disorders. His molecular
research group published a lot of papers on the genetic background of these conditions and won several
international and national grants. Dr. Poór authored about 400 scientific articles, book chapters and books
and was honoured with several professional awards.
Mr. Miklós Soltész
Miklós Soltész, Minister of State for Social, Family and Youth Affairs, Ministry of
National Resources (Hungary)
Miklós Soltész graduated in Urban engineering at Ybl Miklós College, Faculty of
Mechanical Engineering in 1988. From 1994 to 2000 he worked as Commercial
Director at Wastl Ltd before becoming the of Head of Cabinet of the Minister for
Transport and Water Management. He’s also the Secretary General of the National
Association of Patients with Cystic Fibrosis since 1994, and acted as the private
secretary of the deputy mayor of the 5th district of Budapest, while also working as an engineer. He became
Minister of State for Social, Family and Youth Affairs, Ministry of National Resources in 2010.
Mr. Marios Kouloumas
Marios Kouloumas, Chair of the EULAR Standing Committee of PARE (People
with Arthritis and Rheumatism in Europe)
Mr. Kouloumas has been living with rheumatoid arthritis for the last 35 years.
He works in the public sector, at the General Hospital Nicosia. He is President
of the administrative board of the Cyprus League against Rheumatism and
Chair of the EULAR Standing Committee of PARE (People with Arthritis and
Rheumatism in Europe). He is also a member of the Executive Committee of
the public servants trade union, a member of the board of Cyprus Federation of Disabled People, a member
of the board of Cyprus Federation of Patient Organizations, and a member of the Cyprus Volunteers
Committee.
Prof. Dr. Alison Hammond
Prof. Dr. Alison Hammond, Reader in Rheumatology Rehabilitation, University of
Salford (UK)
Prof. Dr. Alison Hammond is a Reader in Rheumatology Rehabilitation at the
University of Salford. She developed her interests in Rheumatology in the 1980’s as a
Senior Occupational Therapist (OT) in Manchester. She decided to pursue a research
career in Rheumatology, gaining a PhD in 1994 from the Psychology department,
Nottingham University related to patient education and health behaviour change in
Rheumatology OT for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Since then she has worked at the University of Derby, Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and now
University of Salford: leading single and multi‐centre randomised controlled trials evaluating joint
protection, other OT interventions and patient education programmes for people with inflammatory arthritis
and for fibromyalgia; developing Rheumatology OT outcome measures; and investigating the impact of
arthritis on daily life and attitudes to self‐management.
She is also involved in studies evaluating: fatigue interventions in RA, splinting, patient education and OT in
hand OA. She has authored over 40 peer‐reviewed articles and book chapters, including self‐help materials
for people with RA. In addition, Alison helped with developing arc's Graduate Certificate in Rheumatology
Practice (GCRP) which aims to improve training for rheumatology extended role practitioners/ nurses.
She was an arc Senior Lecturer and GCRP course leader at the University of Brighton from 2005‐2007. Alison
has been a committee member for the National Association of Rheumatology OT and the British Health
Professions in Rheumatology, and is currently a member of the EULAR Allied Health Professions committee.
Dr Ingemar Petersson
Dr Ingemar Petersson, Fit For Work Europe Coalition; Associate Professor in
Rheumatology, Lund University Hospital (Sweden)
Dr Petersson is currently Associate Professor in Rheumatology at Lund University
Hospital and research director at the MORSE (MuskulOskeletal Research center in
southern SwEden).
Ingemar F Petersson received an MD from Lund University Medical School in 1980,
followed by a PhD at Lund University in 1997. He then held a post‐doctoral
position in Rheumatology at Lund Unversity. In 1999 he took the responsibility of starting a new department
for clinical research at the Spenshult Hospital (a private national hospital specialized on all rheumatic
diseases with a strong connection to the patient´s organization in Sweden). He is on the faculty at Lund
University Hospital, Departments of Rheumatology and Ortopaedics, Clinical Sciences, Lund, Sweden.
Dr Petersson´s research has focused on the epidemiology, development, prognostic factors and treatment of
osteoarthritis. Dr Petersson received in 2003 the Wyeth Award for Rheumatological Research, became in
2006 a Paul Harris Fellow for his contribution to the development of modern care for patients with
rheumatic diseases and has received national awards for his rheumatological research.
Dr Petersson has authored and co‐authored more than 60 publications in international peer reviewed
journals. He continues research in outcomes, team care and rehabilitation in rheumatic diseases as well as
studying the consequences and treatment of RA as well as diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic
approaches to OA. Furthermore, he expands health services research and research in insurance medicine in
musculoskeletal disorders on a national and transnational level in Sweden and Europe.
Professor Dame Carol Black
Professor Dame Carol Black, Co‐President Fit For Work Coalition; National Director for
Health and Work (UK)
Professor Dame Carol Black is the National Director for Health and Work, Chairman
of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Chairman of the Nuffield Trust, and
maintains a deep interest in both the clinical and research aspects of connective
tissue diseases.
Spearheaded by Carol Black as National Director, ‘Health, Work and Wellbeing’ is a
joint initiative across government to improve the health and well‐being of working
age people.
Prior to taking up her position as National Director, Carol Black was President of the Royal College of
Physicians (2002 – 2006). She remains Chair of the UK Health Honours Committee, a member of the Council
of the GMC and a member of the Board of the British Cardiovascular Society. In addition, she is non‐
executive director of the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement and a member of the Board of
Governors of the Health Foundation.
Dr Stefaan Poriau
Dr Stefaan Poriau, Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME)
Dr Stefaan Poriau graduated as a Medical Doctor in State University of Ghent, Belgium
(RUG) in 1974, and has post graduate specialisation in Rheumatology (1979) and
Rehabilitation (1984).
He works as Chief of Department Rheumatology and Rehabilitation in AZ Alma Sijsele‐
Damme since 1979, and as Coordinator Locomotoric Centre in AZ Alma Sijsele‐Damme
since 1995. He’s a Medical Director at Rehabilitation Centre Locomotoric, Neurological,
and Cardiovascular rehabilitation in AZ Alma Sijsele‐Damme since 1982 and became Chief of Department
Locomotoric Rehabilitation in AZ Alma Sijsele‐Damme in 1994. He’s also an Academic Consultant for
University Ugent since 2003.
Among multiple commitments, Dr Poriau is a member of the Belgian Professional Society of Rheumatology
(BRV) since 1988 and was president of the organisation for 13 years between 1988 and 2003. He’s treasurer
of the Belgian Foundation against Rheumatism since 1993, member of the Professional Society for Specialists
in Rehabilitation since 1997, and President of the Accreditation Commission for Specialists in Rehabilitation
since 2003. He’s a member of the Standing Committee of European Doctors since 1994 and also hold several
responsibilities within the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (RIZIV).
Professor Maxime Dougados
Professor Maxime Dougados, President‐Elect of the European League Against Rhumatism
(EULAR)
Prof. Dougados is Chief of the Department of Rheumatology at the Cochin Hospital in
Paris, focusing on outcome measures in rheumatic diseases and classification criteria and
prognostic factors of rheumatic diseases, whilst teaching rheumatology at the René
Descartes University, Medicine Faculty PARIS V. He has been President‐Elect of EULAR
since 2009, EULAR‐ACR liaison since 2007, and Vice‐President of ASAS (ASsessment of
Ankylosing Spondylitis) since 2003.
Mr. Neil Betterridge
Neil Betterridge, Vice‐President, European League Against Rhumatism
(EULAR)
Mr. Betteridge developed arthritis aged three, which had a serious
impact on his childhood. He is now Chief Executive of Arthritis Care,
representing people with musculoskeletal disorders in the UK; and Vice‐
President of EULAR, representing PARE (People with Arthritis and
Rheumatism in Europe). Within the Department of Health in England, he
is patient and public adviser on elective care. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Chronic
Pain Policy Coalition. Until 2009 he was Chair of the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance, the national PARE
member of EULAR and the UK umbrella body for musculoskeletal conditions.
Dr. Árpád Gógl
Dr. Árpád Gógl, Former Minister of Health, Hungary
Dr. Árpád Gógl graduated at Medical University of Pécs, in 1963. He specialized in
internal medicine, gastroenterology and also in clinical pharmacology. He awarded his
PhD at University of Debrecen and DSc.hon. at University of Massachusetts, USA.
During his carrier he worked as associate professor at the Clinic for Internal Medicine of
Medical University of Pécs, head of Internal Medicine Department in Székesfehérvár.
He served in the following public functions: president of the Health Minister’s Advisory Board on
Gastroenterology, member of the General Assembly Elect of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, president
of the Hungarian Doctor’s Chamber. He was Minister of Health between 1998‐2000.
Johan Ten Geuzendam
Johan ten Geuzendam, DG Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, European Commission
Johan ten Geuzendam joined the European Commission in 1983 to work in a variety of policy areas like
management training, industrial policy, industrial relations, labour law and working conditions. From 1996 to
2001 he worked on Enlargement negotiations in DG Employment's unit for International Cooperation. In
2001 he became Head of the Employment Services Unit (with responsibility inter alia for the management of
the EURES network) and in 2006 of the Employment Services Unit and Mobility Unit.
In January 2008 he became Head of the Unit for the Integration of People with Disabilities in DG
Employment, social affairs and equal opportunities. In January 2011 he became Head of the Unit for the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities in DG Justice of the European Commission.
Ms. Ildikó Bernáth
Ildikó Bernáth, Ministerial Commissioner, Ministry of National Ressources, Hungary
Ms. Ildikó Bernáth graduated in 1990 in Administration Management, from the College
of Public Administration and in 1994 in Finance and Accounting, from the College of
Finance and Accountancy. From
1992 to 1993 she was the head of office from the Ministry of Interior, and became in
1997 the president of the Kozmutza Flóra Foundation. From 1993 to 19998 she was
the head of unit for Local Goverments, Veszprém County Directorat, OTP Bank, and
became ministerial commissioner, Ministry of National Resources in 2010.
She also hold several public functions. From 1994 to 1998 she was a member of Assembly, Veszprém County,
and was president of Fidesz in Veszprém from 1995 to 2003. She was a member of parliament Fidesz from
1998 to 2010, vice president of the committee for employment and labour of the Hungarian Parliament and
member of the local governance committee from 1998 to 2002. She became later vice president of the
committee for employment and labour of the Hungarian Parliament from 2006 to 2010.
Mr. Adám Kósa
Adám Kósa, Member of the European Parliament
Adám Kósa is a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) since July 2009, and a
member of the group of the European People’s Party.He graduated as a lawer from
Pázmány Péter Chatolic University in 2000, worked as a sport manager in
Semmelweis University in 2005 and as a Specialist exam of law, Ministry of Justice in
2005. He’s a member of the Chamber of Lawyers in Budapest.
He was involed in the Hungarian Council of People with Disabilities as a member
since 2005, he became vice‐president in 2006 and took over the presidency since 2008. He was member of
the presidency of the Hungarian Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SINOSZ) and became
president in 2005. He’s also member if the monitoring committee of the De juRe Foundation since 2004, a
member of the legal committee of the European Union of the Deaf (EUD) since 2006, member of the legal
committee of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) since 2006 and a member of the
legal committee of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) since 2008.
Prof. Josef Smolen
Professor Josef Smolen, Former‐President, European League Against Rhumatism
(EULAR)
Prof. Smolen received his MD degree from University of Vienna, Austria, was
trained there in immunology and medicine, and served as research fellow at the
National Institutes of Health, USA. Since 1989 he has been Chairman of the 2nd
Department of Medicine, Hietzing Hospital, Vienna. In 1995 he became Chairman
of the Division of Rheumatology, Medical University of Vienna, and since 2007 he
has chaired the Department of Medicine. He is also former President of EULAR,
Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Honorary Doctor of Lund University. His major research
interests concern pathogenesis as well as outcomes, translational research and novel therapies in rheumatic
diseases.