Joanne Ashton was presented with the 2024 SCST Lifetime Achievement Award at the SCST Annual Conference by SCST Vice-President Nolan Stain.
Joanne’s career began with a practical interest in engineering, influenced by her grandfather who worked as an engineer in Sheffield. While training in medical physics at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, she discovered cardiology via one of her rotations. It was a discovery that would be the start of a long professional career as a cardiac scientist across multiple roles and even countries.
Early in her career, Joanne worked internationally, taking up a position in Saudi Arabia. It initially this was thought be a Cath lab role but on arrival,l it turned out to be working in echocardiography. Given her strong technical aptitude Joanne rapidly skilled as an echocardiographer and stayed in Saudi for 5 years. On her return to the UK, Joanne practiced in the Northeast of England and moved into leadership, heading up the echocardiography service at Freeman Hospital. Later, she moved to the Head of Department role at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, where she was also Trust Lead Healthcare Scientist. She moved to her current position in 2019 as Head of Cardiac and Respiratory Diagnostics and Trust Lead Healthcare Scientist at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Throughout her career, Joanne has remained committed to professional development as a cardiac scientist becoming BSE accredited and earning a master’s degree in cardiology among other qualifications. Enjoying academia and student interactions Joanne worked for a period as a lecturer at the University of Sunderland, but missing patient interaction she returned to clinical practice and leadership.
Joanne is a long-standing SCST council member, having served in various roles including treasurer before becoming SCST president in 2020.
Joanne has shown unwavering determination to raise the profile of the SCST and the profession as a whole. She advocated for statutory recognition of healthcare scientists, was instrumental in development of the AHCS echocardiographer register, as well as advocating for clinical scientists to use patient group directions.
It was noted by Nolan Stain, who presented the award, that it had been a real privilege to recognise the exceptional cardiac physiology career of Joanne, whose contributions to cardiac science and healthcare science more broadly are both substantial and long-standing. Joanne’s contributions have impacted nationally through the SCST and regionally through Lead Healthcare Scientist roles. Thank you to Joanne for everything you have done and continue to do for healthcare science.
Below are some quotes collected from fellow SCST members:
Quote 1
“It has been an absolute honour and privilege to work alongside Joanne during her presidency of the SCST. Her unwavering dedication, vision, and passion for the field of cardiac science have left an indelible mark on both the society and those of us who have had the fortune to collaborate with her. Joanne’s leadership has been an inspiring force, driving innovation within the team and fostering a spirit of inclusivity and excellence within our profession. As she closes this chapter of her presidency, I’d like to extend my deepest gratitude for her tireless service. Joanne, you leave behind a legacy that will drive the society forward into a new age”.
Quote 2
“She worked quietly and diligently throughout her career and became one of the most influential and important cardiac physiologists in the NE”
Quote 3
“I know Joanne predominantly from our various roles within SCST. She was the society’s treasurer during my initial time as Chair of Education, she then became President during incredible stressful time, the height of the Covid -19 pandemic. Without Joanne’s support I’m not sure I would have weathered the storm that resulted in the cancellation of our exams in March 2020. She was always there at the end of the phone, email or text message. She provided a voice of reason, listened without judgement and is a true friend”.
Quote 4
“Joanne, it was your encouragement that spurred me to stand for election to SCST Council all those years ago. Your guidance and insight has been invaluable. Thank you so much for your leadership and support. Our professions owes you a huge amount”.
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