The EuroHealthNet Executive Board has elected two new Vice Presidents. This is the first time that EuroHealthNet will have multiple Vice Presidents serving together, further enhancing the Board’s leadership and visibility within the EuroHealthNet Partnership and with external partners.
Dr Sumina Azam is a Policy Lead and Deputy Director in Policy and International Health of the WHO Collaborating Centre on Investment for Health & Well-being, at Public Health Wales. Originally trained in internal medicine, Dr Azam has worked in public health since 2005. She has a broad portfolio of work, including supporting the public health response to embedding sustainable development principles in the Welsh Well-being for Future Generations Act, and working on policies in areas such as trade, housing, and fuel poverty.
Serving on the EuroHealthNet Executive Board has given me many opportunities to learn. As Vice-President I look forward to giving back and further supporting the EuroHealthNet team, particularly in two pressing areas affecting our health and wellbeing – the rising costs of living throughout European countries, and the impact of the climate crisis.
Dr Sumina Azam
Public Health Wales (UK)
Ms. Pia Sundell is a Board Member of the Finnish Federation for Social Affairs and Health (SOSTE), and has been the Executive Director of the Finnish Children’s Welfare Association since 2008. Trained as a social worker and having worked in child welfare for over twenty years, Ms Sundell is an expert regarding children’s rights and child welfare. Much of her work focuses on increasing the impact of social and healthcare organisations, helping to establish the conditions that allow us all to thrive.
As a social worker I have seen the critical links between health and social systems. I have also seen that holistic policies, built on expertise, intersectoral collaboration and lived experiences can make a difference for people living in vulnerable conditions. As Vice-President I look forward to working with the experts in the EuroHealthNet partnership to advocate for better policy-making on the European level.
Pia Sundell
Finnish Federation for Social Affairs and Health (SOSTE)
EuroHealthNet President, Prof. Dr. Martin Dietrich welcomed the election of the two new Vice Presidents. He noted that Ms Sundell’s experience as a social worker and Dr Azam’s training as a medical doctor complimented his background in health economics. This strengthens the leadership of the Executive Board and the wider partnership, and reflects the multi-faceted approach EuroHealthNet takes towards improving health, equity and wellbeing.
