On Thursday, 08 October, Thijs Merkx, professor of Trends and Patterns in Cancer and Care at Radboudumc and former Chair of DICA-IKNL, received a royal honor from Hubert Bruls, Mayor of Nijmegen. The decoration was presented following the IKNL symposium 'Looking Ahead: Cancer in the Future' and his farewell lecture 'Trends and Patterns in Oncology and Care: Targeted, Innovative, and Collaborative'. Merkx was appointed Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Over four decades, Thijs Merkx has made significant contributions as a physician, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, researcher, and healthcare executive. Starting his career as a dentist and physician, and later becoming an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, he dedicated himself to head and neck oncology at Radboudumc. His PhD, professorships, and special academic appointment reflect his scientific expertise and forward-looking approach.
From 2019 until May 2026, Merkx served as Chair of the Executive Board of the Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL), which became DICA-IKNL in January 2026. In this role, he championed data-driven insights to improve healthcare, prevention, quality of life, and end-of-life care.
The best possible care
As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and professor of Head and Neck Oncology, Merkx worked to provide high-quality care for people with head and neck cancer. For many years, he was affiliated with Radboudumc's Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, focusing on complex cancer care, early diagnosis, and reconstructive treatments.
He also played an important role in improving the quality and safety of care, both at Radboudumc and within national oncology networks.
Looking beyond boundaries
Education was another important pillar of his career. As professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Oncology and Oral Medicine, and later as professor of Trends and Patterns in Cancer and Care, Merkx trained and inspired generations of healthcare professionals. He shared his knowledge with students, medical residents, and specialists, encouraging them to look beyond the boundaries of their own disciplines.
Connecting research and practice
Merkx has also made lasting contributions to scientific research. His work focused on oncology, quality of care, and identifying trends and patterns in cancer care. In his special academic appointment, he explored how data from the Netherlands Cancer Registry could provide new insights into cancer incidence, variations in clinical practice, and the organization of care.
In doing so, he connected research and clinical practice in ways that directly benefit patients, healthcare professionals, and policymakers.
Commitment to society
Merkx is also involved with the MKA Tanzania Foundation, the AYA 'Young & Cancer' Care Network, and the Dutch Rare Cancer Platform. Beyond healthcare, he has been active in sports, serving for six years as Chair of the Tophockey Nijmegen Foundation.
His strength lies in bringing together Radboudumc's three core responsibilities: excellent patient care, inspiring education, and socially relevant research. His dedication, vision, and collaborative leadership have contributed not only to Radboudumc but also to lasting improvements in cancer care across the Netherlands.
Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL)
As Chair of IKNL's Executive Board, Thijs Merkx continued to advocate for better cancer care in the Netherlands. He promoted collaboration, harnessed the potential of the Netherlands Cancer Registry, and championed appropriate care tailored to patients' needs. His central aim was always to ensure the best possible care for people living with and beyond cancer, both now and in the future.
His innovative approach was reflected in the introduction of a dual-track care policy. This brought attention to a difficult but important issue: alongside treatment and recovery, healthcare professionals should address quality of life at an early stage and acknowledge that a cure may not always be possible. Together with Palliative Care Netherlands (PZNL), he worked to change how healthcare professionals, policymakers, and health insurers approach these decisions.
The principle behind this policy was simple but powerful: pursuing one approach should not mean neglecting the other.
In discussions and decision-making, Merkx consistently brought together different perspectives. He considered the interests of patients alongside those of healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers. Even in complex and sometimes challenging discussions, he helped build consensus and maintain progress.
With Thijs Merkx's retirement from his executive and academic roles, a distinguished career comes to a close, one in which patient care, education, and research have remained closely connected.
The Executive Board and staff of Radboudumc and DICA-IKNL warmly congratulate Thijs Merkx on this royal honor.
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