Royal honours for RIHS researchers

On Thursday 26 April, nine employees of Radboud University and Radboud university medical center received royal honours for their outstanding scientific or social merit.

Ben Geurtz senior lab technician at the Translational Metabolic Laboratory
In his spare time, Ben has been a councilor, first in Gendt and later on in Lingewaard. Both times he represented a local party. His areas for special attention included town and environmental planning, living and traffic and the small centres of Gendt en Ressen. Ben is an enthusiastic councilor, that looked after these topics. Due to the election results Ben hasn't been able to continue his work for the city council.


Henri Marres, Professor of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
Henri Marres, theme Rare cancers, has been connected to the ENT Department at Radboud university medical center since 2004, and is often called on for advice. He is one of the best otorhinolaryngological surgeons in the Netherlands and counted among the European leaders in this field. He has done outstanding work in the area of tracheal surgery, where he is an expert both in the surgical treatment of cancer of the trachea and in the treatment of respiratory problems in children. 
Another focus area is paralysis of the facialis (facial nerve). This has led to the creation of a facial nerve centre at Radboud university medical center. Testimony to the international recognition of his work is Henri Mares’ appointment in 2009 as President of the Charles Bell Society, an international organisation specialised in facial paralysis. 
In 2013, Marres prepared Radboud university medical center for the arrival of the electronic patient dossier, and has striven in a variety of ways to improve quality of the ENT patient care in the Netherlands. He represents Dutch ENT specialists in the European Union of Medical Specialists.


Ria Nijhuis-van der Sanden, Professor of Paramedical Sciences
Ria Nijhuis, theme Healthcare improvement science, started in 1993 as head of the Paediatric Physiotherapy department, and has since developed into a leading researcher in the field of paediatric physiotherapy and motor development problems. She headed the Paramedical Sciences research group at Radboud university medical center, and was appointed professor in 2009. As Principal Investigator, she studies topics ranging from paediatric to geriatric physical therapy and everything in between, but also quality assurance and sport physiotherapy. 
Nijhuis supervised many students of physical therapy (including paediatric) and biomedical sciences, and as a lecturer has contributed to the Biomedical Sciences degree programme and further training courses for physical therapists in the country. She applies her expertise in numerous committees and advisory bodies, with roles including Vice President of the International Organisation of Physical Therapists in Paediatrics.

Theo Wobbes, Professor Emeritus of Surgical Oncology
Theo Wobbes, theme Reconstructive and regenerative medicine, was present at the cradle of Surgical Oncology at Radboud university medical center, as well as the regional cooperation involving the surgical oncological services at Integraal Kanker Centrum Oost (IKO), a Nijmegen-based cancer centre. In particular, he has made a large contribution to the multidisciplinary treatment of the mammary carcinoma. In 2005, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Surgery Department of Radboud university medical center, he initiated and edited the book Een halve eeuw academische heelkunde in Nijmegen; de weg naar differentiatie (Half a century of academic surgery in Nijmegen: the road to differentiation). Theo Wobbes has also (co-)authored and (co-)edited various books. After his retirement in 2008, he became visiting professor at the HAN University of Applied Sciences, for the Physician Assistant Master’s programme. In the past period, Theo Wobbes shifted his attention to the medical-ethical aspects of technological developments in the diagnosis and treatment possibilities for patients (cancer and otherwise).

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