10 March 2022
A few words on the life and career of Andrew Keat, founder member and inaugural Chairman of BRITSpA, who died 12 January 2022 after a long and dignified battle with motor neurone disease.
Andrew had a long and distinguished medical career, starting with an undergraduate scholarship at the University of London. As a rheumatologist, the study and treatment of the spondyloarthritis group of diseases, reactive arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis were his passions.
Always kind and personable, Andrew was a true patient advocate. He was a long-term trustee and medical advisor of the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS), a member of the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) and former president of the Medical Society of London.
Andrew received many accolades and recognition during his career, which spanned four decades, including our Michael Mason Award in 1987, and Heberden Round Oration in 2008. He was an internationally renowned lecturer who published extensively throughout his life, and wrote several book chapters.
Andrew was particularly proud to have been a co-founder of the British Society of Spondyloarthritis (BRITSpA), the culmination of many years advocating for UK clinicians and HCPs interested in spondyloarthritis. He was also instrumental in the setting up and running of the BSRBR-AS register.
But above all, Andrew considered his loving and long-lasting marriage to Caroline, their three children and grandchildren as his greatest achievement. He lived life to the full and had many hobbies including rowing, gardening, bricklaying, photography, cricket and tennis. He enjoyed flying model aeroplanes in his youth and had a lifelong penchant for cars, often taking his beloved poodle Dorcas, out in one of his Austin Sevens.
Andrew was loved and respected by colleagues and patients alike and is dearly missed by all who knew him.
Disclosure statement: the authors have declared no conflicts of interest.