Amsterdam Public Health

For Postdoc Appreciation Week 2026 (PAW_NL), we highlight Heleen Haspels, a postdoctoral researcher at Amsterdam Public Health (APH), working at the Department of Pediatrics, Amsterdam UMC. Heleen’s story shows how following your intuition and speaking up can shape a meaningful academic career.

Optimizing transmural care for children with medical complexity

Heleen’s research focuses on how to best organize transmural care, care that crosses hospital walls, for children who go home with complex medical needs. During her PhD, she evaluated the Jeroen Pit Huis, a pioneering facility in the Netherlands, located next to Amsterdam UMC. It is a transitional care unit where families stay together with their sick child in between hospital and home. Families build confidence in providing their care at home, with medical, nursing, and psychosocial support organized around their needs. 

While her PhD gathered valuable insights, Heleen felt a strong drive to continue: “We gathered so much information, but it needs to be implemented in practice to actually make an impact. That was my drive to continue as a postdoc.”

A key insight from her work is the crucial role of parents: “Parents who care for their sick child often have the most knowledge. You must always involve them in every step of your research.” She also sees a gap between research and practice that needs to be bridged: “What we do in research and what happens in practice don’t always align, while that integration is exactly what’s so important.”

The value of connection

Heleen emphasizes the importance of connecting with fellow postdocs: “You all face similar challenges, and they understand the positive things too. Even with different projects, they know what you’re talking about.” Since her own social circle doesn’t work in academia, this connection is especially valuable, whether it’s about applying for grants or navigating daily challenges. She also became active in the senior program council of APH Quality of Care. “I felt it was important to get involved. APH can bring you a lot, but you also need to invest yourself.” 

Ultimately, her motivation is deeply personal: “I do this for children and families. As a young woman, I talk to people with a sick child and see the impact. Making it better step by step is what drives me.” 

Follow your feeling and speak up

Heleen never had a predetermined career path. Her PhD came on her path organically, and she discovered a genuine passion for research. When it came to her postdoc, she was clear about one thing: she didn’t want it to be a simple extension of her PhD, but rather an opportunity to develop new competencies and broaden her scope. By proactively discussing her wishes with her team, she connected with another research group (Pediatric Psychology & PROMs) and pieced together her appointment.

When asked where she sees herself in five years, she’s honest: “I have no idea, but I really enjoy what I do now, and I will just follow my feeling.” She’s also open about the uncertainties that come with postdoc life: “Short contracts, piecing things together. A certain level of uncertainty is okay, but up to a point. I have to pay my mortgage too.” Her advice to fellow postdocs is therefore clear: “Speak up. Clearly communicate what you want, what you can do, what you can’t do, and where you’d like to go. By being open about that, you get much further.”