Representing all cancer care and research professionals
Amsterdam UMC was created by the administrative merger of Vrije University Medical Center (VUmc) and Amsterdam Medical Center (AMC) in 2018. The years following have seen a gradual process of continuous integration of patient care, scientific research, and education and training at both locations.
The appointment of the Executive Board signals that all professionals involved in oncology care and research at both hospitals are now part of Cancer Center Amsterdam. To facilitate the advancement of cancer care and research, “we saw a necessity to connect all the people who work in the oncology domain: doctors, nurses, technicians, researchers, and others. That is why a new vision for Cancer Center Amsterdam was initiated, to bring together all our oncology professionals that are involved in care, research, and education, irrespective of their Amsterdam UMC departments,” says Geert Kazemier, chair of the Cancer Center Amsterdam Executive Board.
A new leading team
The appointed Executive Board members include a hematologist, Sonja Zweegman, a medical oncologist, Hanneke van Laarhoven, a gastrointestinal and liver specialist, Paul Fockens, a cancer researcher, Jan Paul Medema, and a surgeon, Geert Kazemier.
Their mission is to coordinate cross-departmental and cross-divisional cancer research and care at Amsterdam UMC, in addition to directing cancer care and research in the region.
Geert Kazemier: “Note that Cancer Center Amsterdam is not involved in ‘hands-on’ patient care, that is the direct responsibility of physicians, nurses, or other care professionals and their departments. Cancer Center Amsterdam aims to bring care providers and researchers together to accelerate research and improve patient care in the oncology domain. This is all about connecting research and care.”
Cancer Center Amsterdam was founded as a research institute over 25 years ago by Bob Pinedo and his colleagues to pursue innovative cancer research. It is also aligned with the Cancer Center Amsterdam Foundation, which raises funds to empower promising developments in oncology research and patient care at Amsterdam UMC.
A bold vision
To foster the connection of all people involved in oncology at Amsterdam UMC, the Executive Board is charting a bold course to the future based on four interwoven themes:
- CARE: Leading experts shaping excellent cancer care at the right location and in the region
- RESEARCH: Multidisciplinary groups pursing new insights in cancer biology that have direct applications in the clinic
- VALORIZE: Entrepreneurs innovating to create value from knowledge in a socially responsible way
- EDUCATION: Shaping the oncological professionals of today and tomorrow
“Curing cancer is our goal. To achieve this, we conduct top research, push boundaries, and have to act with courage.” Executive Board, Cancer Center Amsterdam.
Connecting cancer care with clinical research
Combining forces in oncology at Amsterdam UMC is not just a virtual endeavor. Following the merger of AMC and VUmc, the treatment of patients with cancer is being centralized at the Boelelaan location of Amsterdam UMC. Moreover, in the near future, all oncology researchers at Amsterdam UMC will work in close proximity with oncology care professionals at this location.
Geert Kazemier: “It is this combination of research and patient care that sets us apart from large regional hospitals that are principally focused on treating patients. At Cancer Center Amsterdam, we also want to contribute to advancing cancer science and knowledge. Therefore, we connect cancer care with clinical research. In addition, all involved scientists are actively pursuing translational research that ultimately is aimed at improving care and finding new treatments for patients with cancer.”
Patients as partners in research
Over the next five years, Cancer Center Amsterdam aims to invite more of their patients to participate in research, ranging from data collection to clinical research. The knowledge obtained from ‘patient-partnered research’ is crucial to improve the care - and even achieve a cure - for future patients. “It is about trying to learn as much as possible from (the experience of) every patient to develop better cancer treatments. That is the most important task,” says Geert Kazemier.
An integrated care network
Traditionally, Amsterdam UMC has a strong connection with the region, and Cancer Center Amsterdam envisions strengthening this partnership and including research opportunities. “We want to ensure that a patient with cancer will benefit from our expertise no matter if they are treated in Alkmaar, Zaandam, Almere, Hoorn or Amsterdam,” says Geert Kazemier. “To achieve this, specific care pathways that outline the best treatment plan for individual patients are being developed and implemented with our regional partners. Treatments will happen at different locations. For example, a patient may receive radiotherapy to shrink the tumor at a local hospital before coming to Cancer Center Amsterdam for a complicated operation. The centralization of healthcare and localization of specialized expertise means we can’t do all treatment for all patients at one location, but as a network we can ensure every patient receives the best care regardless of their location.”
Better together
Geert Kazemier concludes: “Let's join forces and make a difference for current and future cancer patients through the connection of care and science. The Executive Board Cancer Center Amsterdam is here to support everyone who works within the oncology domain at Amsterdam UMC.”