The Máxima Center is the place for a starting physician to develop a broad range of skills.

After completing his medical studies, Nick initially wasn’t sure which direction to take. He started in cardiology, but pediatrics appealed to him more. ‘I did my residency in a peripheral hospital in Alkmaar. I wanted to become a pediatrician, but that position is highly sought after. I looked for a place to broaden my knowledge and experience and saw a vacancy for a junior doctor in pediatrics at the Princess Máxima Center. It was a unique opportunity to connect general care with specialized care for children with cancer. It worked out so well that I now have a full-time appointment. I am now one of the regular attending physicians on the Hematology ward.’

Caring for children with cancer is challenging, says Nick. You combine acute, highly complex care for very sick children with sometimes long-term oncological care. ‘You build a close bond with children and parents. As a regular attending physician, you quickly become a familiar face. You become very close to the patient, acting as a kind of ‘regular doctor’ for the child. Together with the nurses, you form a connecting link between all the care providers around the patient.’ On the ward, Nick is also the first point of contact if urgent issues arise. And because he knows the ward inside and out, he can quickly spot if work processes could be improved. ‘At the Máxima Center, we are always working to do things even better together.’

Nick describes the group of junior doctors as passionate. ‘You experience an enormous sense of involvement. Before going home, you might check in on that one child to see if everything is okay. And above all, you know you are working together. The work can be intense, but there is plenty of opportunity to discuss challenges in intervision sessions or in supervision meetings with the staff physician.’

For Nick, the Máxima Center is the place where every starting doctor can develop broadly. ‘It is a safe environment where you quickly take on a lot of responsibility. From day one, you stand with the treating physician and nurses at the patient’s side. You learn a great deal from that. For yourself, for example if you want to specialize in pediatrics. And how to do the most for children with cancer as a physician