General academic profile

I am a health services researcher with a specific interest in access to care for people in vulnerable circumstances. This relates to people that are faced with multiple problems concerning their health but often also related to other areas of their lives. Organizing care and support for these people requires cooperation in social networks involving the client, informal care givers, different types of professionals and policy workers, but also different departments and organizations. I am especially interested in how we can optimize cooperation and learning in these social networks so that the provided care and support is accessible for people in vulnerable circumstances and matches their needs. For this I use multiple methods both qualitative and quantitative, increasingly as part of ‘action research’ to help improve practice.    

Over the years I have been involved in many studies focused on improving care and support among others for elderly, stroke patients, people with dementia, people in need of palliative care, youth, people with multi-problems living in the community. In 2020 i founded an Academic workspace together with the municipality of Rotterdam, two universities of applied sciences and client representatives called Carelab Rotterdam. I am the director of Carelab and we aim to improve care and support for vulnerable people living in the community.  We’ve undertaken a number of projects in Rotterdam, but also apply for national and international grants. 

Leadership and mentorship

Over the years I have taken on different types of leadership roles both in research, education, and consultancy (as part of my academic work). I have been director of the pre-master and of our Health Care Management master for over 5 years. During which time I was responsible for the total revision of the program and the introduction of the English master. I have been section leader (ad interim) of HSMO for two years. I have headed multiple research projects. I have also been projectleader for reducing waiting lists in outpatient clinics. And currently I am the director of Carelab Rotterdam.

Over the years i have been a supervisor for over 50 masterstudents during their thesis. Furhermore, I have been a co-promotor for 8 PhD students that have finished their thesis. Currently, I supervise as co-promotor 6 PhD’s.  In 2023, I was nominated by all of my PhD’s for best PhD supervisor.

Teaching

I have been working as an academic teacher for over 25 years. I teach in multiple courses of ESHPM, both in the bachelor and master program. I am also involved in the master education programm of the Dutch School of Public and Occupational Health (NSPOH).