More about our team….let’s chat to

Ingrid Heyne, EUPATI Patient Expert Training Programme (PETP) Coordinator

As we continue our series spotlighting the EUPATI Secretariat team, we’re offering a closer look at the people who make our work possible. This series explores how we operate behind the scenes, how we support patient education, and who to reach out to for different areas of expertise.

Based in Brussels, Ingrid manages the EUPATI Patient Expert Training Programme (PETP) and coordinates the Alumni network. She has been part of EUPATI since its inception. In this feature, Ingrid shares insights into her role and responsibilities, and reflects on the aspects of her work she finds most rewarding.

Keep an eye out for upcoming features as we introduce more of the committed individuals advancing EUPATI’s mission.

What is your main work stream?

I joined EUPATI to be the network coordinator when it was still an IMI project in 2012. Since then, I have had different roles like managing EUPATIConnect (our matchmaking platform), involved in the EUPATI Learning Lab (our training portfolio for academia and industry) but always being at the centre of the Patient Expert Training Programme (PETP).  I’m co-chairing the PETP Training Committee which reviews each year the programmes of our 2 annual events. The whole committee contributes to the conception, development, and implementation of in-person and live streaming events that are part of the training. I also organise the logistics of these 2 events and I’m the contact point of all EUPATI Fellows when they have a question, want to tell us about their experience or sending them information about different opportunities. I also collaborate to some EU projects with my Alumni Coordinator hat.

What is your favourite part of your role?

Interacting (online or in person) with people whether they being my colleagues, EUPATI partners or trainees and Fellows. I’m the happiest at our PETP in person event – even if it is the most demanding time of the year – as I get to meet all of them together!

Describe your typical working day?

Days vary depending on the time to the year, the kind of requests I receive, deadlines… Days greatly differ when a new Cohort of trainees start, when registrations open or when we organise the events. This is what I enjoy, having a part of each day that may be completely different from the one before.

What is your favourite quote – be it for work or your personal life?

Demain est le premier jour du reste de ta vie – Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life. This the title of a song by French singer Etienne Daho and it was the song which initiated our wedding dance. This perfectly summarises how I embrace life, you can always start again if something fails, if you are having a bad day, I always have hope that the future will look bright again.

Thank you to Ingrid for chatting to us and if you have any questions about the EUPATI Patient Expert Training Programme or the Alumni network contact [email protected].