Today, during the symposium The Longevity Revolution, it was announced that Joris Slaets, Professor of Geriatric Medicine at University Medical Center Groningen, will join the Board of Directors of Leyden Academy on Vitality and Ageing. As of January 2015 he will succeed Professor Rudi Westendorp, who has accepted a position as Professor of Medicine of Old Age at the University of Copenhagen.
Since 1999, Joris Slaets is Professor of Geriatric Medicine at UMC Groningen and Head of the University Centre for Geriatric Medicine. He received a medical degree in Leuven, Belgium and was trained as a geriatrician at Erasmus University in Rotterdam. Professor Slaets is a coordinator in the National Care for the Elderly Program in The Netherlands and scientific advisor at Espria. Joris Slaets: “I have been closely involved with Leyden Academy for many years now, contributing to the Master programme and Executive courses. I have the utmost respect for what Rudi Westendorp, Marieke van der Waal and their team have established. Their mission, to improve the quality of life for the elderly, is very near to my heart. I want to encourage the outstanding research activities and projects at Leyden Academy and strive to make even more impact on society. There are so many opportunities.”
As of January 1st, Rudi Westendorp will start as Professor of Medicine of Old Age at the Health and Medical Sciences Faculty of the University of Copenhagen. He therefore takes leave as Professor of Geriatric Medicine at the Leiden University Medical Center (since 2000) and as executive director of Leyden Academy on Vitality and Ageing (since its establishment in 2008). Rudi Westerdorp: “For my wife and myself, this is an exciting new step in the second phase of our lives. I really look forward to taking the ideas and mental legacy of Leyden Academy to an international level. I am leaving Leiden in high spirits: I am proud of what we have achieved and also know there is still much to be done. Joris shares the optimistic view of Leyden Academy and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise. I could not have hoped for a better successor.”
Dr. Wim van den Goorbergh, chairman of the Supervisory Board: “We are honoured to have Joris Slaets joining the Board of Directors of Leyden Academy. With his experience, perspective and network he makes the ideal candidate to further shape Leyden Academy in the years to come, together with director Marieke van der Waal. We would like to express our gratitude to Rudi Westendorp for the huge contribution he has made to a more positive public perception regarding older people in The Netherlands and we wish him all the best in achieving his goals in Denmark.”