The many and profound impacts of COVID-19 pandemic have been felt again with the announcement that Professor Maarten J. IJzerman, internationally renowned Cancer Health Services research expert, current Chair of the VCCC Alliance Cancer Research Advisory Committee and Chair of Cancer Health Services Research at the University of Melbourne, will be returning to the Netherlands in May 2022. Maarten will be taking up an important new role as Dean of the Erasmus School of Health Policy and Management (ESHPM) in Rotterdam. ESHPM is a renowned international institute, affiliated with Erasmus Medical Centre, specialising in health economics, healthcare governance and health services research. Maarten will continue to be working in cancer research specifically.
Maarten brought a wealth of cancer health services research knowledge and expertise to Victoria following his appointment to the University of Melbourne in 2019. He has been a huge asset for the VCCC Alliance, driving efforts to improve data access for research and building strong foundations in health services research, quickly demonstrating the important role it plays in addressing some of the big challenges we face, especially in terms of health equity.
Fortunately, although family commitments are drawing him home to the Netherlands, the strong connections he has made in Victoria and his belief in the programs and research he has developed, means that he will continue some of his activities with the alliance, including as a member of our Value-based Health Care program steering group and to continue to build the collaboration with the Centre for Victorian Data Linkage. He will also continue some involvement in key programs at the University.
Professor IJzerman said that while he is sad to leave, he is thankful to VCCC Alliance and its many contributors for an amazing work environment. “From the very beginning, I have felt very welcome and respected in all the work for the VCCC Alliance. There is a genuine attitude to collaborate across the alliance members, but also with consumers and public and private sector representatives. The alliance has done a superb job with the current strategic plan which is very comprehensive and forward looking,” he said. “I am particularly pleased that the VCCC Alliance had the courage to make significant investments in data-driven research and Value-Based Healthcare. I am sure this will be a landmark for continued improvement of cancer outcomes for Victorians. It’s been an honour to make a small contribution and I very much look forward to continuing our collaboration.”
Professor Linda Kristjanson AO, Chair of the VCCC Alliance Board thanked Professor IJzerman for his significant contributions to establishing the foundations of cancer health services research in Victoria. “Maarten has offered visionary leadership in health technology assessment and a global perspective to our work. In just a few years he made an exceptional impact and established foundations for this vital area of research that we will build upon,” she said. “Maarten has exemplified the collaborative, dynamic nature of our alliance and I sincerely hope we will continue our connection and collaborative work with him into the future.”
Echoing these sentiments, Professor Grant McArthur, Executive Director of the VCCC Alliance reflected that Maarten had firmly cemented the role of health services research in informing and catalysing system-level improvements in cancer. “Maarten has helped us to make substantial progress to establish evidence that will lead to the implementation of value-based care in Victorian cancer services. This will help us step towards a more efficient health system in which healthcare providers are rewarded for helping their patients improve their health,” he said. “He is a big picture thinker and a thoughtful, genuinely collaborative leader. I sincerely thank him for his many contributions to the growth of the VCCC Alliance.”
Professor IJzerman will return to the Netherlands in May 2022.
Announcements regarding the management of his current roles will be made in the coming weeks.
