On 6 February, we gathered in the Utrecht University Hall in Utrecht for the ESCH-R Science Meeting! A day that captured both the urgency and the possibility of circular transformation in healthcare.
Design for a reusable bicarbonate cartridge – Project on Circular Hemodialysis
Congratulations to Josje Smulders, Master student Industrial Design Engineering at the TU Delft, who recently graduated! Her graduation project is called ‘Design for a reusable bicarbonate cartridge – Project on Circular Hemodialysis’.
Exploring Circular Logistics at Medtronic European Operation Center
On Friday 16 January, ESCH-R researchers, PhD and postdocs candidates visited Medtronic European Operation Center in Heerlen to explore how logistics can enable circularity in healthcare value chains.
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Innovation in Eye Surgery
Recently, students, accompanied by WP5 Lead Jan-Carel Diehl, visited DORC’s Center for Research and Innovation in Ophthalmic Surgery (CERIOS) in Delft. With involvement in both WP4 and WP5, DORC is an important partner in the ESCH-R project.
Two-Day Co-Creation Session on Circular Healthcare ESCH-R WP4
On 10 and 11 March, partners and stakeholders of the ESCH-R project will come together for an intensive two-day co-creation session focused on advancing circular innovation in healthcare.
Opinion piece: Cabinet, Embed Sustainability in Appropriate Care – with Maike Tietschert
Recently, an Opinion piece about Cabinet, Embed Sustainability in Appropriate Care has been published in ZorgVisie; a leading independent platform and professional publication for managers, executives, and policymakers in Dutch healthcare.
Blueprint for Establishing Medical Circular Living Labs: Lessons from the ESCH-R Project
On Tuesday the 13th of January, As part of the ESCH-R project, the first version of the practical ESCH-R blueprint for establishing Medical Circular Living Labs has been developed to capture key lessons learned from practice.
Sustainability and Planetary Health in Healthcare Education
Good examples of implementation and embedding (sustainable integration) in vocational education (MBO), higher professional education (HBO), and academic education (WO).
Published in Onderwijs & Gezondheidszorg (OenG)
Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in making healthcare more sustainable, both by reducing the impact of climate change (mitigation) and by adapting to its consequences (adaptation). Healthcare education is essential to make future professionals aware of the challenges ahead and to provide them with practical perspectives for working sustainably, including circular practices.
Currently, planetary health still receives limited attention in healthcare education. By sharing insights and tips from best practices, we aim to provide educational institutions with tools to integrate these themes into their curricula.
Authors
Judith Huis in het Veld
Maartje Vletter
Kim Verhaegh
Ellen Bakker
Summary of the ESCH-R Community of Practice for nurses and educators – Watch the recording!
The Community of Practice for nurses and educators, moderated by Dr. Ellen Bakker (WP6 lead), took place on Thursday 12 February, 2026. During the one-hour online meeting, presenters ESCH-R PhD Heidi Annala and Dr. Elke Slagt-Tichelman shared their insights and research on the role of protocols.
How can nurses, nurse specialists, advanced practice nurses, nursing students, or paramedics (in training) contribute to updating protocols when they have identified a sustainable alternative to a single-use device? Who do you collaborate with, and how do you engage the team in the process? Would you like to learn more about this and exchange experiences with fellow professionals?
Laura Pruyn
Laura is temporarily taking over Naomi’s tasks as Project Manager while Naomi is on maternity leave.
Who am I
My name is Laura Pruyn, (temporary) Project Manager for ESCH-R while Naomi is on her maternity leave.
I have a background in (Clinical) Psychology and previously I have worked at ZonMw and at Reinier de Graaf hospital. I started my position at Erasmus MC back in September, 2024, managing different types of projects.
What do I do?
My role as a Project Manager is to support the proper implementation of the project, within the given time and budget. As a Project Manager, I especially enjoy collaborating with several types of partners. I’m looking forward to contributing to this inspiring project. Outside of work I enjoy spending my free time outdoors; having so-called ‘wellness walks’ with friends, watching the sunset or go skiing with my family.
Get in contact!
Feel free to reach out to Laura via: l.pruyn@erasmusmc.nl
Internal Events
10 – 11 March
ESCH-R WP4 Two-day co-creation session
WP Lead: Erik van Raaij
Practical details
Date: 10-11 March 2026
Time: 09.30 – 16.30
Location: The Happy Flow, Boompjes 410 Rotterdam
14 April
ESCH-R Communication Network meeting
Practical details
Date: 14 April 2026
Time: 12.30 – 13.30
Location: Online
Register for this meeting via: info@esch-r.org
20 May
ESCH-R PhD Day
This day is organized by ESCH-R Researcher Sanne Jansen (WP5).
Practical details
Date: 20 May 2026
Time: TBA
Location: TBA
The PhD day is focused on exploring transitions on how our scientific work contributes to the shift from a linear to a circular healthcare system, which will be led by Roel van Raak from the DRIFT institute.
More details of the day will be shared later on.
21 May
Community of Practice for Nurses and Educators
WP lead: Ellen Bakker
Practical details
Date: 21 May 2026
Time: 16.00 – 17.00
Location: Online
Language: Dutch
15 Sept
ESCH-R PhD and Postdoc intervision session
Practical details
Date: 15 September 2026
Time: 10.00 – 13.00
Further details regarding the location and program will follow. A calendar invite will be sent to all PhD and Postdoc students. Please note that attendance is mandatory.
24 Sept
Community of Practice for Nurses and Educators
WP lead: Ellen Bakker
Practical details
Date: 24 September 2026
Time: 16.00 – 17.00
Location: Online
Language: Dutch
6 Oct
ESCH-R Communication Network meeting
Practical details
Date: 6 October 2026
Time: 12.30 – 13.30
Location: Online
Register for this meeting via: info@esch-r.org
10 Dec
Community of Practice for Nurses and Educators
WP lead: Ellen Bakker
Practical details
Date: 10 December 2026
Time: 16.00 – 17.00
Location: Online
Language: Dutch
11 Dec
ESCH-R PhD and Postdoc intervision session
Practical details
Date: 11 December 2026
Time: 10.00 – 13.00
Further details regarding the location and program will follow. A calendar invite will be sent to all PhD and Postdoc students. Please note that attendance is mandatory.
External events
31 March
Conference ‘Duurzaam Samen Verder’
Practical details
Date: 31 March 2026
Time: 12.00 – 19.00
Location: NBC, Blokhoeve 1, Nieuwegein
On March 31st, from 12:00 to 19:00, the National Network for the Green Operating Room will host its annual Working Conference, this time under the theme: “Duurzaam Samen Verder” (Sustainable Together Forward).
16 April
Conference EWUU alliance: Driving Transitions
Practical details
Date: 16 April 2026
Time: 12.30 – 13.30
Location: Online
The major societal challenges of our time require new forms of collaboration: not only across academic fields, but with citizens, institutions and companies that shape society every day. The EWUU alliance is taking that step during their conference in April 16, 2026.
22 May
Planetary Health Symposium
Practical details
Date: 22 May 2026
Time: 12.00 – 18.00 (or online between 13:00 – 15:00).
Location: Erasmus University Rotterdam, Building Erasmus Pavilion, Burgemeester Oudlaan 350, 3062 PA Rotterdam.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the scale of the planetary crises we face? Climate disruption, biodiversity collapse, pollution. Each crisis seems insurmountable on its own, let alone together. Yet within this complexity lies a powerful truth: we cannot face these challenges alone, and we don’t have to face them separately.
Planetary Health offers the integrated response we need. It is a “solutions-oriented, transdisciplinary field and social movement focused on analyzing and addressing the impacts of human disruptions on Earth’s natural systems on human health and all life on Earth.”
Have you attended a conference and presented your research about ESCH-R? We would love to feature your insights!
Please share:
- A short text about your experience: key takeaways, the research you presented, and any relevant highlights.
- Photos of your presentation, poster, or the event.
- Everyone who is involved, names, functions etc.
We will use your contribution for our website, newsletter, and possibly social media!
Please share your text and photos via info@esch-r.org
If you post on social media yourself, feel free to use these hashtags:
#circularhealthcare #circularity #ESCH-R #circularhospital #sustainability #research #greenhealthcare
Would you like to share your ESCH-R news? Whether it’s vacancies, new PhDs, student achievements, research updates, publications, tweets, media appearances, or anything else, we’d love to hear from you!
When sharing your news, please make sure to attach your photos/images or figures and always make sure when people are visible, you have their permission to use the pictures.
Below the format you can use to share your news with us:
- What is the purpose of your news?
- What title can we use?
- Who attended (names, roles, if related to ESCH-R meetings/events)?
- What were the main topics discussed or key findings?
- Were any follow-up actions or appointments agreed upon?
- Is there anything special or noteworthy?
Share your updates with us via info@esch-r.org, and we’ll include them in our next newsletter!
Deadlines for newsletter submissions:
- 13 February, 2026
- 10 April, 2026
- 12 June, 2026
- 11 September, 2026
- 6 November, 2026
ESCH-R Publication Procedure
We would like to remind you of the ESCH‑R publication procedure. Please make sure to fill in the publication template when planning a scientific publication.
The ESCH‑R project board has established this procedure to provide guidance and ensure transparency for all researchers and partners within the ESCH‑R consortium. By submitting your manuscript plan at an early stage, the project board can offer advice on potential collaborations, data availability and management, publication formats, license options to help avoid article processing charges (APCs), and the correct way to acknowledge ESCH‑R in your publication.
You can find both the explanatory document and the template in Teams.
If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Laura: l.pruyn@erasmusmc.nl
Have you been approached by a journalist for an interview or article about ESCH-R? Please let us know! We coordinate PR efforts to ensure clear and consistent messaging.
Before responding, reach out to Maaike and Nicole so we can align and provide any necessary support.
Thank you!
ESCH-R
Email adress: info@esch-r.org
Email adress: ESCH-R@erasmusmc.nl
Website: www.esch-r.org
