At the start of 2023, a new item will be added to the newsletter of Cancer Center Amsterdam. Under the banner of 'What do you do and why do you do it?’, one of our colleagues will be introduced to tell us all about their job activities. Sybren van der Zee, manager at Cancer Center Amsterdam, kicks off this new series.
What do you do?
Sybren: “Currently, there are many different initiatives and people within Cancer Center Amsterdam crafting various strategic plans in care, research, and education, all with the goal of improving care for patients. As manager of Cancer Center Amsterdam, I aim to bring coherence and organization to this, so everything fits together to create synergy. It is also my job to make sure that new ideas are in line with the overall strategic visions of Amsterdam UMC and Cancer Center Amsterdam.”
Is there an example of an initiative you are managing?
Sybren: “We are in the process of implementing the new national integrated care agreement (integraal zorgakkoord). This aims to keep healthcare accessible and affordable for everyone, while at the same time improving quality and reducing pressure on the healthcare system. This has a huge impact on how healthcare is organized in the Netherlands. Together with staff members at Cancer Center Amsterdam and many others, we are creating a regional collaborative network in which local hospitals work together with oncology experts at Cancer Center Amsterdam. This collaboration will ensure that a patient with cancer will receive the best possible treatment regardless of their location - at their regional hospital or, if necessary, in a highly specialized academic center. Expert physicians affiliated with Cancer Center Amsterdam are in close contact with local hospitals to exchange knowledge and expertise to maintain a high level of care. This all involves a lot of communication and organization of data exchange between healthcare professionals working at different regional hospitals. Also, efforts are made to make sure care pathways will be implemented uniformly throughout the region. There will also be more opportunities for patients to participate in our research at their local hospitals.”
How do you do it?
Sybren: “In the aftermath of the AMC – VUmc merger and the ongoing development of a regional integrated care system, it is key to maintain a process-oriented focus on how cancer care, research, and education are organized. Through careful process planning and organization, I believe we can be more effective and efficient in achieving our goals. As a world class cancer center, Cancer Center Amsterdam has a responsibility to lead – not just within Amsterdam UMC, but also in the region and throughout the Netherlands.”
Why do you do it?
Sybren: “I want to contribute to society, like creating improvements in our healthcare system. I see many opportunities in terms of process organization that can improve efficiency and effectiveness. I have always had the notion that I don't necessarily have to work for a company where it's about maximizing profit for shareholders. I don’t see creating progress as making profits in euros, but rather as making gains in quality of life.”
For more information contact Sybren van der Zee.
Interested in highlighting your job activities in 'What do you do and why do you do it?’ Contact us by mail.
This article was created for Cancer Center Amsterdam.
© 2023 NHBC– All rights reserved.