Professor Luc Sels, rector KU Leuven: ‘UZ Leuven is not only one of Europe’s leading hospitals, but it is also a place for teaching and learning, for research, and for innovation. It is in part the strong link with the university that allows UZ Leuven to continue to break ground and to set the scene for the clinical care of the future. Paul Herijgers is familiar with both worlds. He has found a home at UZ Leuven as a heart surgeon, and, after an excellent term as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, he is also experienced with education and research at KU Leuven. He is the right person to take UZ Leuven to an even higher level.’
Prof. dr. Wim Robberecht, current CEO of UZ Leuven: ‘Being able to take on the role of leading a brilliant hospital such as UZ Leuven is a wonderful and challenging task. The mission of our hospital, breaking ground together, implies that we want to care for today’s and tomorrow’s patient. This requires the combination of excellent care, research and education. Professor Paul Herijgers can draw on his experience as renowned surgeon at our hospital and as a passionate dean of the Faculty of Medicine. He is therefore superbly placed to take on the role of CEO. I wish him the best of luck and I am convinced that he can count on the support of all 10,000 UZ Leuven employees.’
Prof. dr. Paul Herijgers, future CEO of UZ Leuven: ‘First and foremost I wish to thank everyone for their confidence. I firmly believe in a bright future for UZ Leuven within the big KU Leuven family. The enormous commitment and expertise of the hospital's more than 10,000 employees is impressive. Our hospital provides excellent care, also for the most complex conditions, with a deep focus on the patient as a human being. We also want to prepare the healthcare of tomorrow through education, research and innovation. UZ Leuven will fulfil its social role by cooperating constructively with the many stakeholders in Flanders, Belgium and internationally. Together, we will succeed in adapting and finding solutions for the health challenges of the future so that we can guarantee the added value of UZ Leuven also in the future.’
Who is Paul Herijgers
Prof. dr. Paul Herijgers studied medicine at KU Leuven where he specialised in cardiac surgery and obtained his PhD. He has been a medical member of staff of the cardiac surgery department since 1998 and has conducted research in the cardiovascular field.
Paul Herijgers has also served as dean of the Faculty of Medicine since 2016. He was elected to that position for a second time in 2020. As dean, he implements policy together with the faculty board and represented the faculty inside and outside the university. From this position, he also serves on the UZ Leuven management committee.
In addition, professor Herijgers is responsible for the KU Leuven anatomy skills centre and he’s very active in the body donation programme. He sits on various boards and committees where he uses his skills and expertise to benefit the faculty and hospital.
