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Health Dialogue: Episode 1 – Willeke Dijkhoffz (CEO Ziekenhuis aan de Stroom)
60 years MSD Belgium
20 Years at MSD – From Representative to Marketing, A Journey of Impact
August 8, 2025
Reflecting on 20 years at MSD
I can hardly believe it’s been 20 years since I joined MSD. Time has truly flown by. After completing my studies in business management, I began my career at a company where I felt disconnected and unfulfilled. An unexpected conversation with someone in the pharmaceutical sector opened my eyes to new possibilities, leading me to MSD—a decision I have never regretted.
A diverse career path
My journey at MSD began as a representative for our hypertension range, where I visited general practitioners. This was a competitive time, with many pharmaceutical representatives vying for the attention of healthcare professionals. Through a reorganization, I transitioned to working with gynecologists, focusing on our contraceptive range. This was a rewarding period for me; my extensive knowledge about contraceptives allowed me to engage deeply with gynecologists, who were eager for information on our diverse possibilities available for patients.
After my time in gynecology, I moved into gastroenterology, and eventually found my passion in oncology, where I still work today. I’m proud to have witnessed the beginning of immunotherapy—an exciting development that has transformed patient care.
Embracing new challenges
Throughout my career at MSD, I have actively contributed to the development of marketing materials. Transitioning from field sales to an office role took time, but I finally made the leap in August of last year, feeling ready for this new chapter. While I miss the direct contact with healthcare professionals, I still connect with them during conferences and special projects, allowing me to enjoy the best of both worlds. A unique opportunity that MSD provides.
Memorable moments
One of my most cherished memories at MSD is organizing osteoporosis screenings with general practitioners. When these screenings were no longer reimbursed by the government, they became costly for many. In response, MSD stepped in to provide the necessary devices to general practitioners, enabling us to set up comprehensive screenings across various Belgian municipalities. I will never forget the sight of people queuing to participate—it was a testament to our impact. Collaborating with GPs and other stakeholders during this initiative brought me immense satisfaction.
Pride in making a difference
What drives my passion for working at MSD is the difference we make in patients’ lives. Knowing that our efforts can have a meaningful impact is the primary reason I have dedicated two decades to this company. I also value the strong collaboration among our teams. Despite our diverse roles and responsibilities, we unite with a common goal: to advance patient care.
Looking ahead
As we look to the future, I believe we must accelerate our efforts in drug discovery and development. The pharmaceutical industry will need to be not only faster but also more innovative and precise. In the field of lung cancer, I am a firm believer in the evolution of “precision medicine.” Lung cancer has become a specialized field, and I am confident it will continue to evolve in this direction.
BE-NON-02553 | Date of last revision: 06/2025
60 years MSD Belgium
19 Years at MSD – From Marketing to Policy, Navigating Healthcare’s Future
August 8, 2025
Joining MSD Belgium
I joined MSD Belgium 19 years ago in the marketing and sales department, where I had the pleasure of contributing to the launch of two major products. This experience ignited my passion for the pharmaceutical industry and set the foundation for my career. Ten years ago, during a significant restructuring, I embraced the opportunity to transition into the role of “Governmental & Public Policy Manager”. My background in philosophy sparked my interest in aligning the goals of a pharmaceutical company with those of the government.
Growing into my role
Initially, I faced the challenge of having no experience as a policy manager. I dedicated time to understanding the political landscape and, when I felt ready, I started reaching out to Belgian politicians. This proactive approach led to my first meetings and helped me grow into my current position. It’s been a journey of learning through both successes and setbacks.
Reflecting on my career, I realize that my early naivety pushed me to take bold steps. While experience is important, having the courage to take initiative is equally vital. I’m happy to see that at MSD we embrace the “Act with Urgency” principle, ensuring we move beyond meetings to take decisive action. This mindset fosters a culture of responsiveness, which is crucial in our fast-paced industry.
What helps me succeed in my job is carefully listening to the needs of stakeholders and building sustainable, long-term relationships. This process takes time and commitment, but it’s essential for success. I’ve learned that effective communication and understanding the perspectives of others are key to navigating complex policy discussions. My sales background has equipped me with strong interpersonal skills, allowing me to connect easily with others. I thrive on social interaction and enjoy collaborating with diverse teams to achieve common goals.
The evolving landscape of policy management
Looking ahead, I see my role becoming increasingly important. The landscape of policy management has evolved. The simple chain of launching a product and positioning it in the market no longer exists. The pre-launch phase of pricing and reimbursement is crucial; without proper reimbursement, even the best innovations can’t benefit patients. At MSD, we are committed to navigating these challenges effectively, and I take pride in our diverse and multifunctional policy team that works tirelessly to advocate for patients and ensure access to vital medications.
The next 60 years in healthcare
How do I envision the next 60 years in healthcare? First and foremost, I anticipate that we will be confronted with a multitude of innovations. History has shown us that investing in innovations pays off, and this trend is likely to continue. The emphasis on prevention and vaccination will increase significantly. Moreover, the importance of “the patient experience” will continue to grow, necessitating ongoing evolution in the quality of care. Health equity will play a crucial role in this transition: everyone, regardless of their background, deserves access to the same quality of care.
BE-NON-02562 | Date of last revision: 06/2025
60 years MSD Belgium
Nearly 10 Years at MSD – From Assistant to Strategic Support, Enabling Success
August 8, 2025
Having spent nearly a decade at MSD, I currently work as the executive assistant to our Managing Director, Katrien De Vos, while also supporting our HR department. My journey in the pharmaceutical industry began with eight years as an assistant at another company, where I sharpened my skills and developed a passion for the pharmaceutical field.
When I applied to join MSD Belgium, I was excited to find two assistant positions available: one in the External Affairs team and another in the Medical team. Given my background in Medical, I was drawn to the opportunity in External Affairs, as it promised new challenges and experiences. To my surprise, I received a call from the recruiter on my way home, offering me the position. I felt very excited to start my journey at MSD and have never looked back since accepting the offer.
One of the aspects I truly value about working at MSD is the ease with which employees can transition between roles within the organization. Throughout my career here, I have had the opportunity to work across various entities, including Animal and Human Health, and in different departments. MSD actively encourages us to seize internal opportunities, which fosters personal and professional growth. Therefore, I appreciate the company’s commitment to employee development.
The role of an assistant has evolved significantly over the years. In the past, our responsibilities were primarily focused on routine tasks such as creating purchase orders and taking meeting notes. Today, the expectation is that team members manage their own administrative duties, allowing assistants to take on a more supportive and guiding role. We are much more than just administrative support; we are integral to the success of our teams.
What I love most about my role at MSD is the opportunity to help others and make their lives easier. Assisting a colleague not only energizes me but also motivates me to continue striving for excellence each day. It’s very rewarding to see the relief on my colleagues’ faces after I’ve helped them, and I take great pride in organizing company summits where everyone can come together, have fun, and enjoy themselves.
In summary, my journey at MSD has been fulfilling and transformative, and I look forward to many more years of growth and contribution within this organization.
BE-NON-02563 | Date of last revision: 06/2025
We are continuing a series of articles in which we would like to introduce you to our leaders at MSD BeLux, to get to know what drives them in their roles, what it’s like to lead at MSD BeLux, and what it’s like being part of a company with such a significant impact on the world.
Finance serves as an integral part of our leadership team as they analyze every day financial activities and provide advice and guidance on future finance plans. They are the root of all major business decisions, and their role is crucial to the success of any organization.
But what makes our Finance Lead, Rietja so passionate about financial affairs?
“I enjoy working within Finance as it touches all parts of the organization, providing a large diversity in the topics that we are involved in, and having both a short- and long-term focus. Together with my team we aim to provide the best possible support to our business stakeholders, partnering together to ensure that company resources are both optimally deployed and accurately reported. I am energized when I see what the power of a strong team and collaboration can accomplish together.”
I feel supported by our company’s values and ways of working, which include the respect of others and embracing diversity & inclusion.
“I have always worked within Finance and Pharmaceuticals, however I sought to broaden my experiences by supporting different parts of the organization, from early-stage Research to late-stage Development, Production and Sales. In addition, I worked at different levels of the organization, currently within a local subsidiary but previously in Regional and Corporate positions. I have also had the opportunity within MSD to work in 5 different countries, gaining different cultural experiences. I moved to Belgium and joined the team almost 2 years ago, and despite COVID restrictions I became quickly integrated within the team.”
At MSD, we are committed to investing in personal growth and development. It is important to be open to trying something new, and to experiment, learn and adapt as you do. Continuous learning is not only important, but it also keeps things interesting!
“I take this topic seriously, and I would encourage people to have regular development discussions on this. Not only with your direct manager, but also actively seek feedback from others, and leverage one of the number of mentoring programs that are available within MSD. It helps to be clear in your career aspirations, to identify the optimal developmental actions to focus on and best prepare you for the next step.
It’s important to continuously build your portfolio of skills and experiences. I have sought to diversify my career by supporting different parts of the organization, at different levels, and in different countries. Each new environment helped me to broaden my knowledge, experience, and skills.”
We will continue the series with more interesting stories from our top leaders. So, stay tuned!
Katrien De Vos has taken the lead of MSD Belgium & Luxembourg since Monday, May 1. In her new role of Managing Director, she takes over from An Cloet, External Affairs Director at MSD Belgium, who held the position ad interim for the past 6 months.
Prior to joining MSD, Katrien De Vos held various national and international positions at AstraZeneca for more than a decade. In 2020, she was appointed Country President of AstraZeneca Switzerland. Under her leadership, AstraZeneca was recognized as one of the best employers in Switzerland for the third year in a row. She led a diverse team there in which more than 50 percent of management positions are held by women. Throughout her entire career in the pharmaceutical sector, Katrien De Vos has focused on the strategic growth of the company, building strong teams, developing talent, and fostering a great workplace for all employees.
Katrien De Vos is Belgian and holds a doctorate in applied sciences in personalized diagnostics from Ghent University and a professional degree in business administration from Vlerick Business School.
“I am extremely proud to now be part of a great team of about a hundred employees at MSD Belgium & Luxembourg. They are committed every day to addressing important public health challenges by developing innovative medicines and vaccines. I am also excited to be working in Belgium again: while working abroad, I realized how much Belgium is known worldwide for its academic research centers, university hospitals and pharmaceutical industry, which together provide invaluable scientific expertise. I look forward to working with the entire Belgian health ecosystem to make innovation accessible to as many patients as possible,” said Katrien De Vos.
BE-NON-01743 – Date of last revision 05/2023
Katrien De Vos nommée directrice générale de MSD Belgium & Luxembourg
Depuis le 1er mai Katrien De Vos a repris la direction de MSD Belgium & Luxembourg. Elle succède à An Cloet, External Affairs Director pour MSD Belgium, qui exerça le poste de directrice générale de MSD Belgium & Luxembourg ad interim durant les 6 derniers mois.
Avant de rejoindre MSD, Katrien De Vos a occupé diverses fonctions nationales et internationales pour AstraZeneca pendant plus de dix ans, jusqu’à prendre la direction générale d’AstraZeneca Suisse en 2020. Sous sa direction, AstraZeneca a été reconnue comme l’un des meilleurs employeurs de Suisse pour la troisième année consécutive, avec une équipe diversifiée où plus de 50% des postes de direction sont occupés par des femmes. Tout au long de sa carrière dans l’industrie pharmaceutique, Katrien De Vos s’est concentrée sur la croissance stratégique de l’entreprise, la constitution d’équipes solides, le développement des talents et la promotion d’un lieu de travail agréable pour tous les employés.
Née en Belgique, Katrien De Vos est titulaire d’un doctorat en sciences appliquées dans le domaine des diagnostics personnalisés, délivré par l’université de Gand, ainsi que d’un certificat professionnel en administration des affaires de la Vlerick Business School.
« Je suis particulièrement fière de rejoindre la centaine d’employés de MSD Belgium & Luxembourg qui s’efforce chaque jour de répondre aux grands enjeux de santé publique, grâce au développement de médicaments et de vaccins innovants. Je suis également très heureuse de revenir en Belgique. A l’étranger, j’ai pu me rendre compte à quel point la Belgique était reconnue mondialement pour ses centres de recherche académiques, ses hôpitaux universitaires et son industrie pharmaceutique qui offrent une expertise scientifique inestimable. Je suis impatiente de collaborer avec l’ensemble de l’écosystème de santé en Belgique afin de rendre l’innovation accessible au plus grand nombre de patients », commente Katrien De Vos.
BE-NON-01743 – Date of last revision 05/2023
Katrien De Vos benoemd tot algemeen directeur van MSD Belgium & Luxembourg
Katrien De Vos heeft op maandag 1 mei de leiding van MSD Belgium & Luxembourg overgenomen. Ze neemt hierbij het roer over van An Cloet, External Affairs Director bij MSD Belgium, die de functie de afgelopen 6 maanden ad interim uitoefende.
Voordat Katrien De Vos bij MSD aan de slag ging, bekleedde ze meer dan tien jaar diverse nationale en internationale functies bij AstraZeneca. In 2020 werd ze benoemd tot Country President van AstraZeneca Zwitserland. Onder haar leiding is AstraZeneca voor het derde jaar op rij erkend als een van de beste werkgevers in Zwitserland. Ze stuurde er een divers team aan waarin meer dan 50% van de managementfuncties door vrouwen worden uitgeoefend. Gedurende haar volledige carrière in de farmaceutische sector heeft Katrien De Vos zich toegespitst op de strategische groei van het bedrijf, het opbouwen van sterke teams, het ontwikkelen van talent en het bevorderen van een geweldige werkplek voor alle medewerkers.
Katrien De Vos is Belgische en behaalde een doctoraat in de toegepaste wetenschappen op het gebied van gepersonaliseerde diagnostiek aan de Universiteit Gent en een professioneel diploma bedrijfskunde aan de Vlerick Business School.
“Ik ben bijzonder trots om nu deel uit te maken van een geweldig team van ongeveer honderd medewerkers bij MSD Belgium & Luxembourg. Ze zetten zich elke dag in om belangrijke uitdagingen op het gebied van volksgezondheid aan te gaan door innovatieve geneesmiddelen en vaccins te ontwikkelen. Ik ben ook verheugd om opnieuw in België aan de slag te gaan: terwijl ik aan de slag was in het buitenland besefte ik hoezeer België wereldwijd bekend staat om zijn academische onderzoekscentra, universitaire ziekenhuizen en farmaceutische industrie, die samen een wetenschappelijke expertise van onschatbare waarde bieden. Ik kijk ernaar uit om met het hele Belgische gezondheidsecosysteem samen te werken om innovatie toegankelijk te maken voor zoveel mogelijk patiënten,” zegt Katrien De Vos.
BE-NON-01743 – Date of last revision 05/2023
Our People
Meet our leaders at MSD BeLux: Dr. Laurent Viérin, Country Medical Director
June, 14, 2023
We are starting a series of articles in which we would like to introduce you to our leaders at MSD BeLux, to get to know what drives them in their roles, what it’s like to lead at MSD BeLux, and what it’s like being part of a company with such a significant impact on the world.
Medical Affairs colleagues are the face of the company.
Since they interact with the medical community, the Medical Affairs (MA) colleagues are the face of the company, and their scientific expertise helps them in these interactions. Our MA Department only includes professionals with a strong scientific background, often complemented by a Ph.D.
Our MA colleagues are the pre-eminent scientific experts in their therapeutic areas. With the knowledge and expertise they have on our products, the disease, and the broader environment, they stay true to our mission “to communicate and generate medical evidence to help those responsible for healthcare decisions make informed choices that improve access and health outcomes for patients”.
We bring value to the different development phases of our medicines.
The MA department’s main activities span from the clinical development of our molecules to post-approval activities. The team interacts with many internal stakeholders, such as the clinical trial organization colleagues, the regulatory departments, and the pharmacovigilance teams, as well as the market access and commercial groups. The MA team is one of the departments that work most intensively with all other departments in the MSD organization.
Because our focus is on scientifically/medically driven conversations and activities, we interact with all external stakeholders, such as healthcare professionals and other decision-makers for whom science matters, and the in-depth knowledge of our products is important to their decision-making.
“We develop medicines and vaccines that can potentially save and improve the lives of so many people. When thinking about our rich pipeline that addresses all of these unmet needs, I feel a sense of responsibility to bring those innovations to the people that need them. Our goal as a department is to drive and support the progress of our pipeline products towards ultimate access for patients.
Working day after day in collaboration with other motivated colleagues that strive toward that objective is, I must say, very rewarding and gives me a strong sense of pride.”
We will continue the series with more interesting stories from our top leaders. So, stay tuned!
Pneumococcal diseases
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Together against pneumococcal diseases.
The pneumococcal diseases group a certain type of infections caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae. These diseases can range from ear and sinus infections to pneumonia and bloodstream infections.1
Yearly, Streptococcus pneumoniae causes nearly 5800 hospitalisations2 and 430 deaths2 in Belgian adults above the age of 50. For the 65+ population, the mortality rate reaches 12%.3
430 patients above the age of 50 die of IPD* every year.2
On a yearly basis, Invasive Pneumococcal Diseases result in death for 430 Belgian adults above the age of 50.2
This is roughly the amount of people you would need to fill 3 busses.
Yearly, 5800 patients above the age of 50 get hospitalised.2
5800 Belgian patients end up in the hospital because of a pneumococcal infection.2 These patients are all adults above the age of 50.
This is almost 6 times the entire population of Flanders’ smallest city.4
The Superior Health Council recommends vaccination3 for IPD.*
The Superior Health Council has been recommending pneumococcal vaccination for healthy adults above the age of 653, and certain groups at risk since 2014.
WHY is there no publicly funded program in place?
Publicly funded vaccination for adults
Why is there no publicly funded program for adults in place?
Despite a positive recommendation from the Belgian Superior Health Council, the vaccination rate in Flanders is very low (only 8.6%5), much lower than influenza (51.9%5) and COVID-19 (80%).6 This is partly due to the fact that the vaccine is not publicly funded for adults in Belgium.
There is a momentum of European countries like the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden who already have a government funded program.7, 8, 9
Belgium is one of the only Western European countries without a publicly funded program for adults.7–15
What are the numbers on
hospitalisation and deaths?
For adults above the age of 50, the chance at hospitalisation is lower in comparison to adults above the age of 65. Yet, pneumococcal diseases cause 5800 adults above the age of 50 to be hospitalised every year.2
As people get older, the chance of developing severe symptoms leading to hospitalisation and death increases. For adults above the age of 65, the mortality rate is 12%. For adults above the age of 85, the percentage doubles to a mortality rate of 24%.3
How can we prevent pneumococcal diseases
Several ways of protection against pneumococcal diseases exist, with appropriate hygienic measures and with vaccination.
You need to avoid any close contact with sick people. You need to wash your hands regularly and to adopt hygienic measures when you sneeze, cough or blow your nose.
You can also get vaccinated.
Is vaccination recommended?
Due to the high number of yearly hospitalisations and deaths, and the great risk at cardiovascular complications, vaccination is recommended by both health officials and the Superior Health Council.3
Despite this recommendation, less than 10% of the adults at risk get vaccinated.3 There is also no publicly funded vaccination program in place.
Why is there no vaccination program in place?
The low vaccination rate is is partly due to the lack of publicly funded vaccinations for adults. In contrast to other Western European countries, like The Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden, Belgium does not have publicly funded vaccinations for adults.7, 8, 9 Therefore we must raise awareness to the severity of this disease and the need for a publicly funded vaccination for older adults.
This is how you can help!
You can help by raising awareness if you agree that pneumococcal diseases can have an important impact and that preventive measures are needed.
You can do this by sharing this webpage, talking to your friends and family, or by downloading and sharing the information brochure on pneumococcal diseases and their consequences.
For more info on pneumococcal diseases, visit www.pneumoinfo.be
* IPD: Invasive Pneumococcal Diseases
* SHC: Superior Health Council
References
1. https://www.gezondheidenwetenschap.be/richtlijnen/preventie-van-ernstige-pneumokokkeninfecties. Last Access: 01/2023.
2. Federaal Kenniscentrum voor Gezondheidszorg. Welke Pneumokokkenvaccinatie bij ouderen? KCE; 2016 Rapport 274As. Last Access: 01/2023.
3. Hoge Gezondheidsraad. Vaccinatie tegen pneumokokken (volwassenen). Brussel: HGR; 2022. Advies nr 9674. Last Access: 01/2023.
4. https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lijst_van_steden_in_Vlaanderen. Last Access: 01/2023.
5. https://www.sciensano.be/sites/default/files/va_nl_2018.pdf. Last Access: 01/2023.
6. https://covid-vaccinatie.be/en. Last Access: 01/2023.
7. https://www.nivel.nl/sites/default/files/bestanden/1004078.pdf. Last Access: 01/2023.
8. https://www.ssi.dk/aktuelt/nyhedsbreve/epi-nyt/2020/uge-44-45—2020. Last Access: 01/2023.
9. https://www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se/the-public-health-agency-of-sweden/communicable-disease-control/vaccinations/vaccination-programmes/#:~:text=In%20Sweden%2C%20children%20are%20offered,children%20and%20adults%20at%20risk. Last Access: 01/2023.
10. https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/othervaccines/pneumo/. Last access: 01/2023.
11. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vaccine-update-issue-320-april-2021-european-immunisation-week-special-edition/vaccine-update-issue-320-april-2021-european-immunisation-week-special-edition. Last access: 01/2023.
12. https://www.sanidad.gob.es/en/profesionales/saludPublica/prevPromocion/vacunaciones/programasDeVacunacion/docs/Neumococo_Gruposriesgo.pdf. Last access: 01/2023.
13. https://www.dgs.pt/normas-orientacoes-e-informacoes/normas-e-circulares-normativas/norma-n-0112015-de-23062015-pdf.aspx. Last access: 01/2023.
14. https://www.ordinefarmacistirimini.it/files/indicazioni_organizzative_per_lofferta_ai_65enni_della_vaccinazione_antipneumococcica.pdf. Last access: 01/2023.
15. https://szu.cz/tema/vakciny/ockovaci-kalendar-v-cr?highlightWords=O%C4%8Dkovac%C3%AD+kalend%C3%A1%C5%99+%C4%8CR. Last access: 01/2023.
16. Kimberly M. et al. Rates of pneumococcal disease in adults with chronic medical conditions. Pneumococcal disease in adults OFID 2018.
BE-NON-01594. Date of last revision: 03/2023.
We are starting a series of articles in which we would like to introduce you to our leaders at MSD BeLux, to get to know what drives them in their roles, what it’s like to lead at MSD BeLux, and what it’s like being part of a company with such a significant impact on the world.
Business Operations (Bus.Ops.) serves as a guide for our company. This unit acts as a fail-safe, limiting our risks and helping the company avoid operational problems.
Our Bus.Ops. team oversees many processes that allow this company to function effectively. We prepare for change and seize opportunities. Imagine what would happen:
- if our products were no longer available on the market or could no longer be delivered to our customers (ONE, wholesalers, pharmacists, etc.) on time?
- if some of our activities did not comply with the laws or MSD standards? What would the impact in the media be and, more importantly, what would this do to the image that our customers and patients have of MSD and its products?
- if we had no knowledge, no contact points with the hospitals, and could not respond to their needs in an ever-changing hospital environment?
The Bus.Ops. team aims to become a hub of excellence to deliver the best customer experience internally and externally!
MSD provides the environment to help me shape my career and reach my fullest potential.
Long story short, I have been working at MSD as the Business Operations Lead for almost three years now. I started my career in this company, 25 years ago, as a medical representative. After five years, I became a sales manager covering many different therapeutic areas and leading several teams in primary care and hospital care. During this 10-year period, MSD gave me the opportunity to follow many training courses, and in project management (Six Sigma, etc.) specifically, which allowed me to engage with project management on both a local and regional level. MSD puts you in charge of your career!
My leadership style is both supportive and challenging.
“I don’t like the idea that there is one leadership style that’s better than the other. I think someone’s leadership style needs to align with the team, the individual, and the task. Anybody can be an expert or leader in their area. As a leader, you need to be supportive, which can be participative and/or directive. I prefer to talk about values and beliefs. I particularly love to challenge the status quo and use humor and respect in my interactions. I like processes, and I enjoy reviewing them to make things simpler, clearer, and more organized.”
We will continue the series with more interesting stories from our top leaders. So, stay tuned!