Frank Broekmans, Professor of Reproductive Medicine at UMC Utrecht, has been appointed Knight of the Order of the Dutch Lion.
Frank Broekmans, professor of Reproductive Medicine and gynaecologist at UMC Utrecht, has been appointed Knight of the Order of the Dutch Lion. The reason for this is his very important research in the field of fertility and reproduction. His scientific work has great international impact and he energetically combines research with excellent patient care. Frank Broekmans received the royal distinction on Friday 20 January during his farewell symposium at the Academy Building in Utrecht from the hands of the mayor of Zeist, Koos Janssen.
Frank Broekmans studied medicine at VUMC and then went to work at the Department of Reproductive Medicine at UMC Utrecht. There, he did a lot of scientific research on ovarian ageing and the role of the endometrium (endometrium) in fertility disorders. From 2015 to 2017, he was, among other things, coordinator of the board of the Special Interest Group Reproductive Endocrinology of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, and he chaired the Reproductive Medicine pillar of the Dutch Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology from 2015 to 2018.
Frank Broekmans serves on several Advisory boards, is a reviewer for international journals such as Gynaecological Obstetrical Investigation, Fertility Sterility, Human Reproduction, and Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. “He is also a sought-after and popular speaker at international congresses,” Bas Veersema medical scientific manager of the division of woman and baby tells us. “As a researcher, he has supervised at least 30 PhD students and published widely.” Colleagues also appreciate him for other reasons. “Frank Broekmans stood up for his patients.”
Over the past decades, Frank Broekmans has dedicated himself to guiding and treating patients with boundless energy and great personal commitment. “Too bad he is stopping,” indicates Dini, one of his patients. “A very fine person, decisive and human. In the past 12 years, I have been operated by him twice. I will really miss him as a gynaecologist.”
Among the patients were also many people with a desire for children in whom it was not possible on their own. One of them comments: “The contact with Dr Broekmans was always very pleasant, understanding and also down-to-earth and practical. And with humour, which makes a world of difference to me as a patient. We have not managed to get pregnant as yet, but the fact that we can try does a lot for the way we are processing all this.”
Another patient is Leonie and she is now the proud mother of a happy toddler. “We realise that we owe it to Dr Broekmans that our child is in our lives. I was really lucky to be one of his patients.” Leonie tells of a complex IVF process, in which transfer was not possible and operations were necessary. Doctor Broekmans then made it possible to transfer an embryo through the uterine wall in an innovative way. “After many setbacks in this area, we experienced that sometimes there is another way.” She shared the happy news that Leonie was pregnant with her doctor knowing that she had a good and personal relationship with him. “It was special to tell, also because he had used an innovative treatment. I would wish every patient such a knowledgeable, determined and committed doctor.”
