After completing my medical studies at Leiden University (with honors, cum laude), I trained as a rehabilitation physician at Adelante Rehabilitation Center, VieCuri Hospital in Venlo, and Maastricht University Medical Center.

Since 1993, I have worked in Utrecht, initially at the De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation Center and, since 2001, at the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMC Utrecht), with a special focus on rehabilitation for patients (and their families) with neurological conditions. In 2005, I earned a PhD on the topic of “Caregivers, partners in stroke rehabilitation”, and in 2013, I was appointed professor of Rehabilitation Medicine.

I lead the Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science, and Sports. We have established several outpatient clinics for patients with Myotonic Dystrophy, SMA, ALS, and Duchenne, often in collaboration with neurologists. Our approach to treating individuals with neuromuscular diseases involves multidisciplinary teams when needed and always focuses on helping patients remain active participants in society.

Our research and innovation efforts aim to optimize care for individuals with neuromuscular diseases and their families, with a particular emphasis on ALS and SMA. We focus on patients’ abilities and work to empower them to maintain control over their condition. This includes implementing new care approaches such as e-health tools (e.g., caregiver apps, virtual home systems, and remote monitoring) and evaluating interventions like respiratory training and cognitive-behavioral therapy.