We are pleased to invite you to vote for this year’s Amsterdam UMC Societal Impact Award, where researchers who have made a significant societal impact are celebrated. Among the three outstanding nominees is our very own Prof. Dr. Henry de Vries, Professor of Dermatology and Skin Infections at Amsterdam UMC and theme leader Public & Global Health at the Amsterdam institute for Immunology and Infectious diseases, whose groundbreaking work in sex-positive healthcare is changing the way we approach sexual health and STI consultations. Alongside Prof. de Vries, other impressive nominees include Prof. Judith Huirne, who has advanced women’s health through her pioneering research on women-specific conditions, and Prof. Claudi Bockting, whose work in mental health is helping individuals worldwide.
F.l.t.r.: Claudi Bockting, Judith Huirne, Henry de Vries
Henry de Vries - Sex-positive thinking
Henry de Vries is dermatologist and professor of Skin infections at Amsterdam UMC. As healthcare providers, we often speak unconsciously, but negatively about sex and STIs.
For a patient, words like infection, risk behavior and unsafe sex can mean the difference between a safe or unsafe consultation. In the latest edition of the multidisciplinary sexually transmitted diseases (STD) guideline, we therefore specifically pay attention to sex-positive consultation.
Sex-positive thinking is also reflected in the Atlas of Queer Anatomy, a joint art project of De Vries with Kuang Yi Ku, in which a diverse and inclusive medical curriculum is advocated for. In the spring of 2025, the Atlas will be published, and exhibited in museum Boerhaave in Leiden.
Further solidifying his impact, Prof. de Vries has led research that challenges traditional practices by showing that asymptomatic chlamydia infections do not result in infertility. This research will contribute to a national shift in policy, making the Netherlands the first country to stop routine chlamydia testing for asymptomatic individuals (per 2025), thereby reducing unnecessary antibiotic use and offering reassurance to many women.
Learn more about Henry de Vries:
- Experts Advocate for Vaccination Program as WHO Warns of Dangerous New Mpox Variant (August 2024)
- Currently, there is four times more scabies than a year ago: where did this epidemic come from and what can be done about it? (February 2023)
- Henry de Vries wins Bio Art & Design (BAD) Award (June 2022)
Judith Huirne - Awareness of women's health
Judith Huirne is professor of Benign Gynecology at Amsterdam UMC and is dedicated to improving women's health. Her groundbreaking research on women-specific conditions has led to innovative diagnostics and targeted treatments, significantly enhancing the lives of millions of women.
The results of her research team were widely reported in national and international media. Judith’s impact extends far beyond the scientific field. Thanks to her efforts, national awareness of women's health has fundamentally shifted. The former minister personally visited Amsterdam UMC to view the work of her team and allocated millions of euros for women’s health research. This also resulted in a mandate from the Dutch parliament instructing the current minister to develop a national strategy plan for women’s health.
Within Amsterdam UMC, Huirne also aims to support the well-being of female employees by establishing a free clinic for cycle- and hormone-related conditions. Judith Huirne is affiliated with the Amsterdam Reproduction and Development research institute.
Claudi Bockting - Interdisciplinary solutions for mental wellbeing
Claudi Bockting is clinician and professor of Clinical Psychology at the Department of Psychiatry at Amsterdam UMC and chair of the Academic Workshop Shift Left (Arkin). She is also co-director at the Centre for Urban Mental Health at the University of Amsterdam. She developed Preventive Cognitive Therapy (PCT) as a treatment against relapse in (major) depressive disorders and demonstrated its effectiveness in randomized trials, even over 20 years (see voorkomdepressie.nl).
PCT has been included in guidelines and numerous clinicians have been trained nationally and internationally. In doing so, she made a significant contribution to improving long-term recovery in depression. Her pioneering role in the responsible use of generative AI, moreover, demonstrates her ability to address complex social issues and provide solutions that are recognized worldwide.
In October 2023, she published guidelines for responsible use of generative AI in Nature, which were largely adopted by the EU in 2024. Her work extends globally, with projects in Indonesia, India, Rwanda, and Malawi. Claudi’s dedication to mental wellbeing drives innovative, interdisciplinary solutions worldwide.
About the Amsterdam UMC Societal Impact Award 2024
Each year, Amsterdam UMC Research Institutes nominate their most impactful researchers based on societal contributions. A jury, led by Yvo Smulders and including Carla Hollak and Allard van der Beek, has selected three outstanding finalists. All nominees have made remarkable contributions to society, as highlighted in the short videos above.
As an Amsterdam UMC employee, you can help decide who will be awarded the 2024 Societal Impact Award. Cast your vote by December 15th via the voting button below.
Voting is exclusive to Amsterdam UMC employees. The winner will be announced at the New Year’s meeting on January 9, 2025.
The votes of the employees of Amsterdam UMC will count for 50 percent in the final result. The other 50 percent consists of the judgement of an external jury: Lucie Peijnenburg (Patiëntenfederatie NL), Anna van der Hulst (GGD Amsterdam), Malika Sevil (Parool) and Diana Delnoij (Zorginstituut NL).