Our role
Amsterdam UMC is taking responsibility for shaping the healthcare of the future. As an independent academic institution, we’re taking the initiative as we continue to engage with the world around us together with our partners.
Taking the initiative to shape the healthcare of the future
MEETING THE DEMAND FOR CARE
As a knowledge institute, we launch new initiatives in research, patient care, education & training and valorization to meet the needs of our patients and the community. That’s why we continue to engage in conversations about how to improve care – with patients, other healthcare providers and knowledge institutions, health insurers, civil society organizations, government and industry. VU Amsterdam, the University of Amsterdam and our umbrella organization, NFU, also play an important role in this.
IDENTIFYING AND RESOLVING PROBLEMS
We identify problems and raise them with policymakers. Based on our vision and expertise, we also contribute solutions. Amsterdam UMC proactively participates in the public debate on healthcare.
VALORIZATION
We’re constantly developing new knowledge and expertise in care, research and education & training, which we use to shape the healthcare of the future – sometimes at the request of others, but mostly on our own initiative. This is how we fulfill our core task of valorization.
Amsterdam UMC is strengthening its collaboration with network partners and strategic alliances
EXCELLING TOGETHER IN RESEARCH, EDUCATION and CARE
The healthcare transition requires strong networks and alliances. That’s why we’re putting even more emphasis on working with our network partners and strategic alliances. We’re taking the lead in equal and long-term partnerships in research, education and care – in our own region, nationally and internationally.
INTERNATIONAL
Internationally, we have longstanding partnerships with leading research institutes in healthcare quality and innovation. By strengthening these collaborations, we’ll be able to make more knowledge available to current and future patients. We have longstanding partnerships to reduce global health disparities, using our expertise in the field of global health. We’re also going to reinforce our infrastructure to better support our international partnerships.
REGIONAL
Amsterdam UMC plays a leading role in regional healthcare. We fulfill this role in consultation with fellow healthcare providers, municipalities and other organizations, taking into account each other’s interests. While we often take the initiative, we also follow relevant developments where possible, and proudly copy best practices from our partners. We’ll make sure our organization is well equipped to work together in networks and strategic alliances.
DIGITAL COLLABORATION
With more and more collaboration in care and research, the proper alignment of our digital systems is vital. The use of data leads to better health insights, allowing us to tailor our care – regionally, but also nationally and internationally. This requires high-quality data and effective exchange processes.
EXAMPLE
This is how we’re building strong networks:
OncoNoVo+
“Healthcare is facing major challenges. The best way to address these problems is by joining forces and setting up new networks. OncoNoVo+ is a great example of this. It’s an oncology partnership between the 13 hospitals in North Holland and Flevoland that allows us to make efficient use of our people, resources and knowledge to deliver the best care to patients. Where possible, we provide care close to where our patients live. Where necessary, we provide treatment at one of the network’s centers of expertise. Amsterdam UMC is part of this alliance and also houses its regional office.”
Joost Verhoeff, head of the Radiotherapy Department at Amsterdam UMC and
member of the OncoNoVo+ Management Council on behalf of the Cancer Center Amsterdam
EXAMPLE
This is how our research creates social impact:
RSV vaccinations for infants
In the Netherlands, infection with the respiratory virus RSV leads to hospitalization in about 1 in 56 infants. But in the developing world, it’s the second leading cause of death in this age group, after malaria. Back in 2007, Amsterdam UMC and one of its spin-offs, AIMM, discovered a new method to protect young children from this virus. In one of our labs, Professor Hergen Spits developed a technique to stimulate the production of antibodies. In 2023, after extensive clinical trials, this innovation became available as a vaccine under the name nirsevimab, which several countries have now included in their immunization programs. In Spain, France and the US, this has reduced the number of hospitalizations of infants with RSV by up to 90%.
EXAMPLE
This is how we’re taking the initiative to shape tomorrow’s healthcare:
DUTCH
DUTCH stands for Digital United Training Concepts for Healthcare. The mission of this program is to modernize healthcare education with virtual technologies and simulations. The idea for DUTCH originated at Amsterdam UMC and has since grown into a broad alliance of hospitals, training institutions and industry partners. The program develops and implements digital and simulated learning tools to help create a future where all healthcare professionals are trained using the latest technologies, making their work easier and more efficient. DUTCH increases training capacity while reducing the pressure on practical supervisors.
Initially, DUTCH will focus on practical training for surgical assistants, anesthesia staff and diagnostic radiographers before expanding to other healthcare training programs.
Amsterdam UMC is taking responsibility for shaping the healthcare of the future. As an independent academic institution, we’re taking the initiative as we continue to engage with the world around us together with our partners.
Our role
EXAMPLE
This is how we’re taking the initiative to shape tomorrow’s healthcare:
DUTCH
DUTCH stands for Digital United Training Concepts for Healthcare. The mission of this program is to modernize healthcare education with virtual technologies and simulations. The idea for DUTCH originated at Amsterdam UMC and has since grown into a broad alliance of hospitals, training institutions and industry partners. The program develops and implements digital and simulated learning tools to help create a future where all healthcare professionals are trained using the latest technologies, making their work easier and more efficient. DUTCH increases training capacity while reducing the pressure on practical supervisors.
Initially, DUTCH will focus on practical training for surgical assistants, anesthesia staff and diagnostic radiographers before expanding to other healthcare training programs.
Amsterdam UMC is strengthening its collaboration with network partners and strategic alliances
EXCELLING TOGETHER
IN RESEARCH, EDUCATION and CARE
The healthcare transition requires strong networks and alliances. That’s why we’re putting even more emphasis on working with our network partners and strategic alliances. We’re taking the lead in equal and long-term partnerships in research, education and care – in our own region, nationally and internationally.
INTERNATIONAL
Internationally, we have longstanding partnerships with leading research institutes in healthcare quality and innovation. By strengthening these collaborations, we’ll be able to make more knowledge available to current and future patients. We have longstanding partnerships to reduce global health disparities, using our expertise in the field of global health. We’re also going to reinforce our infrastructure to better support our international partnerships.
REGIONAL
Amsterdam UMC plays a leading role in regional healthcare. We fulfill this role in consultation with fellow healthcare providers, municipalities and other organizations, taking into account each other’sinterests. While we often take the initiative, we also follow relevant developments where possible, and proudly copy best practices from our partners. We’ll make sure our organization is well equipped to work together in networks and strategic alliances.
DIGITAL COLLABORATION
With more and more collaboration in care and research, the proper alignment of our digital systems is vital. The use of data leads to better health insights, allowing us to tailor our care – regionally, but also nationally and internationally. This requires high-quality data and effective exchange processes.
Taking the initiative to shape the healthcare of the future
MEETING THE DEMAND
FOR CARE
As a knowledge institute, we launch new initiatives in research, patient care, education & training and valorization to meet the needs of our patients and the community. That’s why we continue to engage in conversations about how to improve care – with patients, other healthcare providers and knowledge institutions, health insurers, civil society organizations, government and industry. VU Amsterdam, the University of Amsterdam and our umbrella organization, NFU, also play an important role in this.
IDENTIFYING AND RESOLVING PROBLEMS
We identify problems and raise them with policymakers. Based on our vision and expertise, we also contribute solutions. Amsterdam UMC proactively participates in the public debate on healthcare.
VALORIZATION
We’re constantly developing new knowledge and expertise in care, research and education & training, which we use to shape the healthcare of the future – sometimes at the request of others, but mostly on our own initiative. This is how we fulfill our core task of valorization.
EXAMPLE
This is how we’re building strong networks:
OncoNoVo+
“Healthcare is facing major challenges. The best way to address these problems is by joining forces and setting up new networks. OncoNoVo+ is a great example of this. It’s an oncology partnership between the 13 hospitals in North Holland and Flevoland that allows us to make efficient use of our people, resources and knowledge to deliver the best care to patients. Where possible, we provide care close to where our patients live. Where necessary, we provide treatment at one of the network’s centers of expertise. Amsterdam UMC is part of this alliance and also houses its regional office.”
Joost Verhoeff, head of the Radiotherapy Department at Amsterdam UMC and
member of the OncoNoVo+ Management Council on behalf of the Cancer Center Amsterdam
EXAMPLE
This is how our research creates social impact:
RSV vaccinations for infants
In the Netherlands, infection with the respiratory virus RSV leads to hospitalization in about 1 in 56 infants. But in the developing world, it’s the second leading cause of death in this age group, after malaria. Back in 2007, Amsterdam UMC and one of its spin-offs, AIMM, discovered a new method to protect young children from this virus. In one of our labs, Professor Hergen Spits developed a technique to stimulate the production of antibodies. In 2023, after extensive clinical trials, this innovation became available as a vaccine under the name nirsevimab, which several countries have now included in their immunization programs. In Spain, France and the US, this has reduced the number of hospitalizations of infants with RSV by up to 90%.
© Amsterdam UMC 2025
