Orthopaedic Surgeon, MD, PhD | Trainer | Chair of the Central Training Committee (COCM) | Chair of the Executive Board OORZON
My name is Heleen Staal. Since May 2007, I have been working as an orthopaedic surgeon at Maastricht UMC+ (formerly AZM). I mainly treat children with orthopaedic conditions (such as growth disorders or clubfoot) and patients with hand problems. I trained at UMC Utrecht and at the VU and OLVG in Amsterdam. During my training, I also worked as a doctor in Central America. There, I worked in mountainous regions with limited access to healthcare, treating children with disabilities.
After completing my training, I came into contact with colleagues Paul Rompa and Prosper Moh, both working in Ghana. Following several visits with Paul to the St. John of God Orthopaedic Hospital in Ghana, we established a fruitful collaboration between the orthopaedics department at MUMC+ and that hospital. For over 10 years, I have been organising exchanges between the two institutions. Naturally, we support each other in patient care, but we also provide education and collaborate on scientific research.
As a trainer in orthopaedics, I also provide training for residents (AIOS) in Ghana. In the coming years, I will further strengthen collaboration with orthopaedic colleagues in Ghana through the professional association (NOV).
