Tina van Loon is Colorectal Disease Journal Representative on the Executive Committee. She is a Fellow in GI and metabolic surgery at the Zuyderland Medical Center in The Netherlands.
Name: Tina van Loon
Current position and hospital: Fellow GI and metabolic surgery, Zuyderland Medical Center, The Netherlands
ESCP Executive position: Journal Representative
Main clinical and research interests: clinical - benign and malignant colorectal cancer surgery, and robotic colorectal and abdominal wall surgery; research - use of stomas and improvement using pathways in colorectal surgery, perianal fistula treatment
Social media handles: LinkedIn: ytvanloon
What made you want to specialise in colorectal surgery?
It kind of came naturally. The surgery training in the Netherlands starts with general training in which you rotate in different specialties including trauma and vascular surgery. My GI rotation was in a specialised high volume colorectal unit in which I had great exposure and great mentors. They have helped me to kickstart my clinical and research career and I have followed this path ever since!
What is the best part of the job?
Being able to make a true difference for patients and guiding and helping them.
How long have you been involved in ESCP and what made you want to become involved?
Since 2017 - my first scientific meeting was in 2015 and I felt extremely inspired by possibilities that ESCP offered and when the call came for Y-ESCP members in the education committee, I knew that that was my cue to join!
What do you value most about being involved in ESCP?
The tremendous network of amazing people that you meet and the possibilities that this brings in terms of collaboration, research, knowledge and friendship.
Tell us your best ESCP conference anecdote?
I have too many and they are best shared with a drink at an event :)
What would your one bit of advice for younger surgeons starting their career in colorectal surgery be?
Join any society that inspires you; this gives you so much more new information, network, and opportunities than you can imagine. Also, never be afraid to find yourself a mentor or sponsor. Everybody needs a little bit of help sometimes and many of us are more than willing to support and help each other.