Jude Skipper (pictured), our Head of Cardio-Respiratory Diagnostics, has been presented with an honorary fellowship – in recognition of her years working with the British Society of Echocardiography helping further the profession, while supporting other young healthcare workers gain accreditation.

Jude, who has worked at our Trust since 1983, first joined the society in 1996 to gain her own accreditation as an echocardiographer. She joined the council in 2006 and became Deputy Chair of the Accreditation Committee in 2010. In 2011 she became Honorary Secretary – and she’s now completing her fourth stint in this role.

It was during the awards section at the society’s AGM on Tuesday (19 October) that Jude was taken by surprise and presented with her honorary fellowship.

She said: “I was totally shocked when my name was mentioned as they’d kept it secret! It’s an absolute honour to be nominated from over 4,000 members and chosen by my peers. I received a lifetime achievement award in 2017 and I thought that was it, so this was a lovely surprise.

“We do this voluntarily as we are passionate about our profession; and helping others within it – I certainly didn’t expect to receive awards.”

Echocardiography is a scan of the heart, which uses soundwaves to produce live images which can be used to diagnose a range of conditions.

Jude, who is also joint lead healthcare scientist at our Trust, is still as passionate about this technology as when she started out - and had to cut out her own printed images.

She added: “I love echo, it’s amazing the things we can do with it, especially compared to when I started out. We can do all sorts; 3D, 4D, stress echo. All of this enhances our diagnosis and can help our patients to live longer, healthier lives.”