Election of 12 candidates

I would like to reapply for the BASL Steering Committee. I have had an interest in Hepatology since the beginning of my studies. During my training in hepato-gastroenterology, I had the honor of working for 14 months as a clinical fellow at the Royal Free Hospital in London, under the supervision of Professor Andrew Burrough. This was a truly great experience for me. I have been working at Jolimont Hospital (Helora) for 11 years, and during this period, liver diseases have been the focus of my practice. For the last 5 years, I have had the opportunity and pleasure of working exclusively as a hepatologist across the four sites belonging to Jolimont (Jolimont, Tubize, Nivelles, and Lobbes). I would like to join the BASL Steering Committee because Hepatology is both my profession and my passion. It would be an honor to represent non-academic hepatologists. I aim to promote partnerships between academic and non-academic sectors, encourage Belgian and international guidelines in our practice, share experiences and scientific interests in Hepatology with Belgian colleagues, and represent my hospital within our Belgian association.

I would like to submit my candidacy to become a member of the BASL Steering Committee as delegate of the UZ Brussels. I support and aim to contribute to the vision of the BASL in advancing knowledge on liver diseases for the optimal care of patients.

BASL SC is the best place to stimulate national studies and collaboration between academic and non-academic centers in Belgium in a friendly atmosphere, especially in the field of alcoholic liver diseases and vascular liver diseases in which I am interested, as well as to promote education among colleagues interested in hepatology.

I had the honour of representing CHU Liège on the Steering Committee of BASL for many years. I propose to ensure a transition of two years, until the future representative of the CHU Liege, Dr Odile Warling, who is currently pregnant, is fully available to take on this role. We are therefore standing for election as a duo, myself for two years and Odile Warling therafter.

Hello, I am submitting my candidacy to be a member of BASL to be part of the decision making process behind our national association and to be uptodate with new discoveries in the passionate domaine of Hepatology.

Through active participation in the steering committee, I would like to emphasize the role of the peripheral hepatologist in the organization of the BASL, including introducing topics that are of particular importance in our daily clinical practice.

To foster education, collaboration, innovation, and advocacy that will drive meaningful progress in liver health. To address some of the most pressing challenges facing the liver health community today.

As a hepatologist working at UZ Gent, I am highly motivated to contribute to and benefit from the collective expertise and knowledge shared within the association. BASL’s mission of bringing hepatologists together to share ideas and support scientific advancement strongly aligns with my own professional goals. I am eager to participate in the efforts of fostering collaboration and communication among liver specialists, with the aim of improving patient care and outcomes in the field of hepatology. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to engage with BASL’s initiatives, share my experiences, and learn from the rich resources the association offers. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to BASL’s mission and becoming an active member of the Steering Committee.

My longstanding experience in the steering committee (member, secretary, president) stands for continuity without ignoring progress and the need for renewal. My specific aim during a new term is to pave the way for the integration of and transition towards new younger colleagues into the steering which should allow to assure a smooth future for BASL. As a substitute I propose Prof. Nicolas Lanthier in case I should not be able to assume my duties towards the organization.

Promote collaborative efforts in the field of hepatology between Belgian centers. - Contribute to the development and dissemination of European and Belgian clinical practice guidelines. - Support and contribute to the organization of postgraduate teaching and training for individuals interested in liver disease at different career stages. - Foster active dialogue between the BASL Steering Committee and young BASL members.

As an active BASL steering committee member for the last 8 years, I am eager to continue to shaping the future direction of the Association. With my background as clinician-translational scientist, I am committed to advancing both liver research and patient care in Belgium. Specifically, I see a further role for the BASL in fostering collaboration and innovation on a national level. In that respect, I hope we can further evolve with BASL-coordinated clinical research initiatives, similar to other national scientific organizations (eg BGDO, BIRD...). 2025 is a special year, heralding our "quarter of a century" anniversary for the Association. I will be happy to help organize a lustrum edition of our next wintermeeting and liver course. Wilco Kwanten, will be my substitute for the University Hospital Antwerp.

The last four years I had the privilege of being a member of the BASL Steering Committee. I was a part of the team responsible for the rejuvenation of the BASL with a new website and a new logo. The last two years I also served as its treasurer. I want to renew my candidacy as a BASL SC member. The next four years I want to further decrease the gap between the members of our society and promote collaboration. We should focus on education during the Winter Meeting and the Belgian Week; and be a forum for local researchers to present their work.