Empowering Voices in Core Outcome Set Development in Rheumatology
Mary Cowern
Mary Cowern lives in South Wales in the UK and has lived with rheumatoid arthritis since the age of 20. After 15 years working on a voluntary basis and studying for a BSc (Hons) in Health & Social Care, Mary returned to paid employment in 2010 and is currently Wales Director for the UK Charity Versus Arthritis.
A passionate advocate of patient empowerment and involvement, Mary is a member of the Welsh Arthritis Research Network and has been a Patient Research Partner with OMERACT since 2013 with her principle area of expertise being in pain.
Aside her involvement in research, Mary has significant experience in policy and public affairs work, patient representation and collaborative working. Mary was appointed as a Bevan Commissioner in 2014 advising ministers on strategy development and service improvements and is Chair of the Long-Term Conditions Alliance Cymru and a member of the Welsh Government’s Orthopaedic Board.
Mary has published work on best practice in public and patient involvement, was co-author of Building Partnerships – Involving Patients and has spoken and delivered workshops on national, European and worldwide platforms. Aside pain, her research interests include Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, exercise & arthritis, fatigue & arthritis, biomechanics & bioengineering, self management and patient reported outcome measures.