Born on 9 December 1954 in Franeker, married, 3 children
Party: Democrats ’66 (D66)
1967-1974
Secondary education, Sneek and Leeuwarden
1974-1978
Theology, University of Amsterdam (not completed)
1978-1984
Radio producer (church service broadcasts), information officer and presenter for the religious broadcaster Interkerkelijke Omroep Nederland (IKON)
1984-1988
Programme maker and presenter, Radio Netherlands Worldwide
1986-1988
Reporter for the current affairs radio programme 'Hier en Nu', NCRV
1988-2000
Presenter and editor for the 'NOS Journaal'television news
2000-2010
Presenter of various television and radio programmes including the medical journalism programme 'Vinger aan de pols'
2010-2021
Member of the House of Representatives for D66; party spokesperson on healthcare and medical ethics; chair of the permanent parliamentary committee on the interior (2015-2017) and chair of the permanent parliamentary committee on foreign affairs (2017-2021)
2 February 2024
Appointed Minister for Healthcare in the 4th Rutte government
2022-2024
Chair of the Oranjehotel National Monument Foundation
2021-2024
Member of the advisory board of the KWF Dutch Cancer Society
2008-2010
Chair of the Deeltijd task force established to increase women’s participation in the labour force
2007-2010
Board member, Nictiz (competence centre for digital information management in healthcare)
1996-1998
Board member, SIRE (a media industry body that produces public service advertising campaigns))
