THINK AORTA Brings Patient Perspective to medical students at Glasgow University
On 15th November 2025, Aortic Dissection Awareness UK & Ireland was invited to make a THINK AORTA presentation at the Glasgow University Cardiovascular Society’s annual career symposium. THINK AORTA lead for UK Ireland, Tony Webb and aortic dissection survivor Nicola McMeekin gave the presentation which was well received by the students.
Speakers at the symposium were eminent clinicians and academics from the specialised fields of Paediatric Cardiology, Academic Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology, Heart Failure Cardiology and Congenital Heart Surgery. Their presentations focussed on the rewards of each discipline as well as the sacrifices and drawbacks.
The keynote speaker by video link from the United States was Prof. Joseph Coselli of Baylor College who talked about the amazing development of aortic surgery from the 1960’s and has performed around 11,000 surgeries for aneurisms and dissections.
Our THINK AORTA presentation concluded the symposium focussing the patient perspective on aortic dissection and its impact. Tony began by telling the story of Rocky, his partner, who died at home after discharge from hospital without a diagnosis of his aortic dissection.
He went on to outline how Aortic Dissection Awareness UK and Ireland was founded and the roles it plays – especially the THINK AORTA campaign with its proven ability to prevent deaths.
“I am delighted to be invited to bring the THINK AORTA campaign to undergraduate medical students. They appreciated meeting people whose lives have been affected by aortic dissection first hand. I am looking forward to bringing THINK AORTA to other medical schools and raise awareness in our future doctors early in their training.”
Tony Webb, THINK AORTA lead for UK & Ireland
The medical students were reminded of the timecritical nature of acute aortic dissections and the essential role of a CT scan to confirm or rule out the suspicion. The importance of THINK FAMILY was also stressed.
Dissection survivor Nicola McMeekin then told the story of her dissection journey, focussing on what contributed to her diagnosis and successful surgery. Illustrating her talk, Nicola showed videos of her CT and MRI scans.
These reinforced the critical role of imaging with a dramatic “fly through” of her body which was well received by the audience, who could all clearly see the dissection.
To support ongoing learning, the Myth Busters poster and Patient Guide are being shared with all members of the Glasgow University Cardiovascular Society.
It was a pleasure to join Tony at the GUCVS career symposium to hear about the different careers in cardiology. It was a sometimes emotional and honest discussion of the realities of the different choices of jobs. It was so interesting to hear about the career journeys of the speakers and very inspiring to see the enthusiasm of the students. It was an honour to share my experience of aortic dissection - diagnosis and treatment - joining Tony in his THINK AORTA session which was very well received.
Nicola McMeeekin, Survivor
