New HSO member: Samantha Elkhuizen

Hello everyone, my name is Samantha Elkhuizen. Since the beginning of 2022 I have started as a PhD candidate at the chair group Health and Society. In the coming years, I will be working on the FNO program ‘Promising and Healthy Together’.

I am very excited to be working on this program aiming to reduce inequalities in health by promoting the health and wellbeing of families in vulnerable situations in the Netherlands. The ‘Promising and Healthy Together’ program focusses on how neighborhood-approaches and collaboration with neighborhoods, learning together, and integrated work contributes to better health. In the overarching evaluation study we will explore all of the unique approaches, monitor the implementation, map the success factors and barriers, and assess the impact of the program.

Last year I graduated with a double master's degree at Wageningen University in ‘Nutrition & Health’ and ‘Communication, Health & Life Sciences’ with a specialization in ‘Health and Society’. After graduating, I worked as an epidemiologist at the Municipal Health Services (GGD). During this time, I have worked on numerous projects on various health related topics – ranging from health monitors to the evaluation of interventions – involving both qualitative and quantitative research. Yet health disparities were a recurring theme, both during my work and throughout my education. I am very excited to now be a part of the HSO-team, to develop myself as a researcher, and to help contribute to a supportive, more equal and healthier society!

In my free time, I love to have fun with friends, play sports, cook or bake, go on a hike, travel, and much more! If you want to know more about me or the program, feel free to call or email me!

I am looking forward to meeting all of you soon!