Kari Robert appointed THINK AORTA assistant lead
Kari Robert joins the THINK AORTA team as Assistant lead for the UK and Ireland, joining Tony Webb to help add vital expertise and resource as the campaign gathers pace in 2026 and beyond.
Kari, an aortic dissection survivor herself will bring valuable expertise from the medial education sector having spent fifteen years teaching at the University of Liverpool School of Medicine.
Her personal story is the key driver behind her decision to volunteer for the patient charity.
In April 2019, Kari was performing music from the Star Wars films with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra back when she was rushed to The Royal Liverpool with stroke concerns before a 'blue light' journey to Liverpool Heart and Chest hospital where she was operated on with a Type-A dissection.
Check out her patient story here.
"One of the first things I did when I was recovering in hospital was google ‘aortic dissection’, which led me to the ADAUKI buddies facebook group, the charity’s website and the THINK AORTA campaign.
I had spent fifteen years in medical education, teaching at the University of Liverpool School of Medicine and had never heard of aortic dissection (I’m not a clinician, but liked to think I was a well-informed lay person. Turned out I wasn’t!!)"
I’m extremely keen to work with Tony Webb in expanding the educational work of the Think Aorta campaign. Prompt diagnosis of Aortic Dissection will always include an element of luck, but that shouldn’t be the main variable.
Improving awareness and detection will swing the odds in our favour. I’m looking forward to using my teaching experience and involving more survivors, relatives and clinicians in helping to deliver the Think Aorta message.
Kari claims that she was 'lucky', but acknowledges how many still are not. "By spreading the THINK AORTA message, we can, and do, increase the number of success stories like mine."
