The department of Midwifery Science has been active since 2009 within the framework of the AVAG/EMGO+ Institute for Healthcare Research, which forms part of VU University Medical Center (VUmc). It has been working closely with the department of General Medical Practice at VUmc since 2012. Both departments belong to VUmc’s Division VI. The department of Midwifery Science has fifteen staff members and five PhD students.
Research activities at the department of Midwifery Science are guided by Francois Schellevis, endowed professor of General Medical Practice.
The day-to-day coordination of research activities is entrusted to Ank de Jonge. She works closely with the other senior researchers: Caroline Geerts, Corine Verhoeven, Jens Henrichs, Lilian Peters, Esther Feijen and Laura Viester. The department further employs four PhD students, one junior researcher, two research assistents and a secretary.
Eileen Hutton from Mc Master University in Canada was appointed to an endowed chair in the department from 2010 till 2015, and played a key role in supervising various doctoral research projects. On November 15th of 2015 she took leave as her role as a professor in the department.
Gea Vermeulen, the Director of AVAG, bears the final responsibility for the department.
The department of Midwifery Science comprises the following persons:
Prof. Dr. F. (Francois) Schellevis
Academic supervisor for Midwifery Science
Dr. J. (Ank) de Jonge
Senior researcher, Coordinator of Midwifery Science research
Drs. G.A.M. (Gea) Vermeulen
Director of AVAG, Head of the department of Midwifery Science
Dr. C. (Corine) Verhoeven
Senior researcher
Dr. J. (Jens) Henrichs
Senior researcher
Dr. L. (Lilian) Peters
Senior researcher
Dr. E. (Esther) Feijen
Senior researcher
Dr. R. (Ruth) Baron
Junior researcher
Dr. H. (Hilde) Perdok
Junior researcher
V. (Viki) Verfaille, MSc
Junior researcher
M. (Marit) van der Pijl, MSc
Junior researcher
A. (Annika) Walker
Junior researcher
Drs. L. (Laura) Viester
Post-doc
Drs. T. (Tamar) Kruit
Research assistentH. (Hakima) el Mesbahi
Research assistent
J. (Jessica) Hrudey
Datamanager IRIS-study
W. (Wencke) de Jager
Secretary of the department of Midwifery SciencePromoted researchers:
Dr. M.T.R. (Monique) Pereboom
Chlamydia and other infectious diseases during pregnancy
Dr. G.M.T. (Trudy) Klomp
Painmanagement during labour
Dr. A. (Agatha) Boerleider
Provision of care to women from ethnic minoritiesDr. E.L. (Esther) Feijen
Determinants of care take-up in the prenatal period
Dr. J. (Janneke) Gitsels
Prenatal screening and Islam
Dr. L. (Linda) Martin
Prenatal screening and counselingDr. R. (Ruth) Baron
Lifestyle of pregnant women
Dr. C. (Catja) Warmelink
Organisation of CareDr. P. (Pien) Offerhaus
Safe primary maternity careDr. H. (Hilde) Perdok
Challenges of maternity careMidwifery Science is involved in the following doctoral studies:
W. (Willeke) Norder, MSc
Women’s experiences of pregnancy and childbirth
B. (Bahareh) Goodarzi, MSc
Riskselection in midwifery care
M. (Myrthe) Westerneng, MSc
The effect of ultrasounds on fear and prenatal bonding
E. (Elke) Slagt – Tichelman, MSc
Mother-to-infant bonding
Drs. C. (Carien) Baas
Perinatal care
