Stefaan was an ambassador for the community for pharmaceutical professionals in Belgium for decades:

• He was CSO for Novartis for many years;
• He was the valued President and Vice-President for BeAPP from 2009 till 2019;
• He was the secretary to the board of the Belgian College of Pharmaceutical Medicine (BCPM) which he helped creating from the early stammerings;
• He was leading the submission of the Recognition of Pharmaceutical Medicine in Belgium;
• He was always a strong advocate of Clinical Trials in Belgium via different working groups and initiatives;
• Stefaan was instrumental in the alliance of our 4 associations into HEALIXIA which he supported from the start, mobilizing his broad network to make it a success.

Stefaan was a true physician, combining humanity, honesty, humility and empathy towards human suffering: therefore, his strong engagement in clinical trials to provide access to innovative drugs for patients with unmet need, where he strived to promote quality, speed and pragmatism: the Belgian eco-system responded to these requirements, according to him.

In a world where competitivity could reign, he was a strong believer of the value of a professional community, leveraging collegiality, networking and combined forces. He was leading in the submission of the Recognition of Pharmaceutical Medicine in Belgium, to safeguard the high quality of our profession, and to allow further professionalization.

His was a man of vision, highly active in the forefront , creating the next meeting, planning the next contacts, building bridges, looking for allies and in search of new opportunities,… but also keeping an eye on the practicalities and arranging room hospitality for the meetings.

He was highly valued in the pharmaceutical world but also within the academic community, as well as the regulatory authorities: this great credibility was the result of his deep knowledge, his experience and pragmatism, his open mind and flexibility, and his understanding of human and administrative challenges.

Talking to his colleagues or reportees, you always obtained testimonies of a respected, sensitive man and a valued human leader. A man always listening to everybody: experienced and newcomers, helping others learn and grow, curious about others, eager to learn new things, to question himself and develop new insights.

Stefaan had even challenged his own lifestyle, and started a life of intense sport in addition to his busy business schedule. This opening of his perspectives made him, an accomplished individual, in the Latin sense of the term: “VIR, a man of courage, a man of heart”.

We admire his strength when confronted with the news of his diagnosis and his bravery towards end of life.

Stefaan, we shall always remember your mini notebook in your upper chest pocket to capture meeting highlights, or your list of passwords on another small sheet of paper in the same pocket.

We shall miss your sense of consensus and indefectible availability.

Stefaan, we are all deeply mourning a great man, an appreciated colleague,… a true friend

Our thoughts are with your wife and daughters.

Link to the letter