Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

Since 1999 I live just outside the city of Rotterdam, the second city of Holland. Rotterdam is known for its port, Europe's largest. Besides this, Rotterdam is known for the working mentality: "Roll up your sleeves and let's get it done!"

After finishing my study Medicine in Maastricht, I ended up in Rotterdam, a city that fits my personality more. After working as a house officer for one year I could start my training for Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

Since February 1st 1998, I work as Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the Ikazia Hospital. This is a teaching hospital and our department cooperates with the local Erasmus University Hospital in the regional training program for registrars in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Since 2001 , I'm the lead for the training of registrars in our department. Our department is specialized in medium-high care Obstetrics, minimally invasive Gynaecology and Urogynaecology.

In 2001, I defended my thesis titled "Anal sphincter injury at vaginal delivery, risk factors and long-term consequences".

The focus in my clinical work AND research lies in Obstetrics and Urogynaecology.

My research has its main focus on occurrence of OASIS and possible ways of prevention. With my colleague and friend Jeroen van Bavel, we are working hard on epidemiologiocal studies for the identification of risk factors for OASIS, with the help of the Dutch National Obstetric Database that contains information of virtually all Dutch deliveries.

Apart form these studies, I've been involved in several randomised controlled trials on the role of the Foley catheter in the induction of labour.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

My first experience with IUGA was in 1997 when the IUGA congress as held in Amsterdam. It was the first IUGA congress with a special session on faecal incontinence. My mentor and one of the members of the organizing committee, Mark Vierhout, introduced me into IUGA that year. Since then I've been visiting the IUGA meetings regularly and since the meeting in Como in 2008 I have only missed two meetings.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

I don't have one particular experience that comes to my mind as most rewarding or memorable. The best thing of IUGA for me is the atmosphere during the meetings which is relatively relaxed (compared to other societies) but still with a good academic level. Another rewarding experience for me is to be involved in the PROTECT programme. A great programme that helps to educate colleagues all around the world.

What is the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?

The last book that I have read was the biography of Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson. Inspiring to read how someone without extensive formal education came to great ideas just by watching, thinking and an enormous imagination.

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

My biggest personal hobby is cycling. In 2019 I joined a group of friends to ride the "Route des Grand Alpes" from Geneva to Nice. This route brought us over a lot of high climbs in the French Alps, known from the Tour de France.  Another important "hobby" are my grandchildren Lucas and Julie from three and one years old. So much fun, but exhausting, to have them around!

What is one "fun fact" about you?

Our registrars always say that this has to be the love for and knowledge of classical rock music. I can't function properly in the OR without the muscic of a Dutch radio station called "Arrow Classic Rock."