Geriatrics Gerontology & Palliative Nursing

Biography

Marieke van der Waal has been Director of Leyden Academy on Vitality and Ageing since April 2010. One of Marieke’s focus points is to improve the education curriculum with regards to elderly care. The current curriculum has become outdated and not kept in time with the latest insights and developments. Also lacking, is the transfer of new knowledge into the practical training stages, due to educators being out of touch with the practice, or because other priorities take precedence. Bringing the young and old together, Marieke will work along with partner Association Het Zonnehuis to give a face to this issue and ensure that education is focused upon care for the elderly, and to stimulate youth to consider a career in the healthcare sector. Marieke, together with fellow board member Joris Slaets and the Leyden Academy team, is committed to bring more attention to the results of scientific research on ageing and vitality issues and innovations in the field of elderly healthcare to the general public, policy makers and opinion leaders. Marieke studied the science of Human Nutrition, at Wageningen University, then conducted research on the quality of healthcare for chronically ill patients. She continued her career as a Programme Secretary at NWO Medical Sciences (now ZonMw.). She then became Director of the Netherlands Public Health Federation but were she was committed to bring more attention and resources to a good standard of public healthcare in the Netherlands. At Leyden Academy, Marieke is amongst others responsible for (cursory) education, experimental healthcare and welfare, management, finance, and contact with the Supervisory Board and partners. Additionally, she is the Director of the Dutch branch of the International Longevity Center Global Alliance and performs supervisory roles at Coloriet (elderly, quality committee chairman) and Welfare Lelystad (portfolios of clients, legal affairs).

Research Interest

Ageing and vitality, nutrition, structures and finance for healthcare organisations, revising education, society, perceptions, young and old, career paths, life’s lessons, growing and sharing knowledge.