Board

ECHDO's Current Board (Elected 2025)

President - Karen Tomlin
Vice President - Mirela Dežman
Treasurer - Michelle Woods
Secretary - Amin Houari
Board Member - Xenia Patsalidou
Board Member - Tsvetoslav Naydenov
Board Member - Katarina Stano

Board Bio's

Karen Tomlin - President

Hello, I'm Karen and a member of the Echdo committee. I'm also a trustee for the Children's Heart Federation in the UK. I have two children and my son was diagnosed with critical aortic stenosis when he was 4 weeks old. Through Echdo and CHF I want to help improve care and support for people with CHD and their families. I also work as a nurse (in a field completely unrelated to cardiac care!) and like to spend my spare time crocheting and walking my dog.

Mirela Dezman - Vice President

I am Mirela and I'm from Croatia. I’m a mother of two daughters, one of whom brought me into the "heart world".

As a volunteer, I am member of Board of directors in ECHDO and also in national Association "A big heart for little heart" where I am devoted to helping families, connecting pediatric patients worldwide who suffer from the same diagnose and inform them about regenerative method in dilated cardiomyopathy, pulmonary artery banding.

I work in a Bank and I have experience in preparing project proposals and applying for international calls in the field of healthcare.

My guiding star is woven by my favorite movie "La vita è bella"

Michelle Woods - Treasurer

Michelle has worked for Somerville Heart Foundation for over 12 years. She aspires to making a difference to the lives of people born with a heart condition and loves talking to our members to improve and develop our services and support. Full BIO comming soon.

Amin Houari - Secretary

As a patient from Giessen with a congenital heart defect (Tetralogy of Fallot, Melody valve, ICD), I have been connected to the department since my birth, both nationally and internationally in terms of health economics and health policy.

For me, long-term, sustainable and diverse support for the field of pediatric cardiology is a matter close to my heart. Hand in hand with children, families, doctors and politicians, because we are united by a heartbeat.

I am also a board member of the Federal Association of Children with Heart Disease in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Xenia Patsalidou - Board Member

I am Xenia Patsalidou from the beautiful island of Cyprus.

I have been a board member of the Cyprus Association for Children and Adults with Congenital Heart Disease for 25 years.

I actively support my association by assisting with any voluntary action or initiative aimed at relieving the suffering of children with congenital heart disease or addressing their other needs. All the members of our association work tirelessly to strive for a better life for children with CHD.

As a member of ECHDO, my association has had the opportunity to share and receive valuable information, exchange experiences, and gain the knowledge needed to provide the best possible care for children with CHD.