Introducing two new N-ECCO Committee Members
Simona Radice, N-ECCO Committe Chair, Maria de Jong, Cathy Walsh, N-ECCO Committee Members
 Simona Radice © ECCO |
 Maria de Jong© ECCO |
 Cathy Walsh© ECCO |
Two new members joined the N-ECCO Committee in February 2024: Maria de Jong from the Netherlands and Cathy Walsh from Ireland. We all share the same mission: promoting IBD nursing in Europe, rolling out educational and research programmes, and developing patient care and education. We are looking forward to working together, and here Maria and Cathy introduce themselves and their aims while on the committee.
Hello, my name is Maria de Jong and my special interest in IBD began more than 20 years ago in the Gastroenterology ward of the University Hospital in Amsterdam. In 2007 I started working at the outpatient clinic to focus full time on IBD after obtaining my Master’s degree as an advanced nurse practitioner. In addition to my role in clinical care, for 10 years I was a board member of the Dutch Nurses Network IBD Care, which aims to improve the quality of nursing care, empower the profession, provide protocols and education, and give Dutch nurses the opportunity to network. My role as an N-ECCO Representative at that time was very helpful in this process.
I have been impressed by the continuing improvement in professional development opportunities for IBD Nurses, in which N-ECCO is playing an important role, and am happy to see that the number of IBD Nurses is increasing all over the world. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to use my experience on a more international basis. My special interests are the development of educational resources, projects and guidelines, promotion of the role of the nurse in IBD ultrasound and creation of an inspiring N-ECCO Network Meeting for both less experienced and advanced IBD Nurses.
Hello, my name is Cathy Walsh. Having been an IBD Nurse for almost 20 years I decided to apply to become an N-ECCO Committee Member as the role offers me a new and exciting challenge. I have been a National Representative for a number of years and this has been a stepping stone to progress to becoming a National Committee Member. I am representing my country locally, nationally and internationally within these roles, which is a great honour.
Becoming a member of the N-ECCO Committee will provide me with an opportunity to share new ideas and my years of experience and knowledge with my European IBD Nurse colleagues. The N-ECCO Committee is a team of IBD Nurses representing IBD Nurses across Europe with the aim of making a difference and improving IBD nursing in Europe. IBD is a complex and challenging condition, but management and treatment are evolving rapidly. As regards my contribution within the team, I will aim to improve the development of IBD nursing and to benefit IBD patients by participating in and contributing to IBD Nurse education, developing new N-ECCO Projects and updating existing guidelines.