Dr. Koen Deloose is not just a vascular surgeon; he is an innovator in the field. Earning his medical degree magna cum laude from Catholic University in Louvain, Belgium, he has since become a leading figure in vascular surgery and endovascular research. As the head of the Department of Vascular Surgery at AZ Sint-Blasius and the founding Course Director of the Paris Vascular Insights Conference, Dr. Deloose wears many hats — surgeon, researcher, teacher, and organizer to name just a few. We caught up with him to discuss everything - from the challenges young surgeons face to his top picks for operating room playlists. Sit back and enjoy this in-depth conversation with a luminary in the vascular community.
Dr. Deloose, shortly after you completed your residency and fellowship training, was there a therapy area or subject matter you wish you were taught or had more experience in?
As a young surgeon 25 years ago, I was immediately captivated by minimally invasive surgery. I rejected the surgical adagio of the time, that “big surgeons make big incisions”. My focus in general surgery was on laparoscopic and thoracoscopic procedures, with, of course, endovascular surgery as my ultimate specialty.
Many residents and fellows leave training with a sense that they aren’t fully ready for clinical practice. Do you remember a time when you felt like you weren’t ready for “prime time”? How did you overcome this?
My senior colleague and mentor, Dr. Marc Bosiers, helped me maneuver those challenging initial steps. Simply knowing that I could call him for advice whenever I needed was comforting during those tough times.
You have authored or co-authored more than 100 articles in peer-reviewed medical journals, delivered more than 750 lectures, and have served as organizer, moderator, or panelist at more than 100 congresses. How would you recommend a fellow get involved with clinical trials and/or establish collaborative research with other specialists?
I can instinctively sense which residents and fellows have a passion for clinical trial work. When I notice such interest, I try to involve them as much as possible in all the steps on conducting “good clinical practice”. Most of these young specialists return to their hometowns with a sound background on running trials and with an established private and professional relationship with our center, ready to collaborate with us on our physician-initiated trials in the future.
Dr. Deloose, when thinking about the business of healthcare, what are 2-3 concepts that you wish you knew coming out of your fellowship?
I felt the lack of a course on how to flawlessly run clinical trials; I had to learn it the hard way. I also wish I had guidance in overall management — how to negotiate with hospital boards, address financial and legal issues, and how to interact with other stakeholders in healthcare.
Dr. Koen Deloose is not just a vascular surgeon; he is an innovator in the field. Earning his medical degree magna cum laude from Catholic University in Louvain, Belgium, he has since become a leading figure in vascular surgery and endovascular research. As the head of the Department of Vascular Surgery at AZ Sint-Blasius and the founding Course Director of the Paris Vascular Insights Conference, Dr. Deloose wears many hats — surgeon, researcher, teacher, and organizer to name just a few. We caught up with him to discuss everything - from the challenges young surgeons face to his top picks for operating room playlists. Sit back and enjoy this in-depth conversation with a luminary in the vascular community.
Dr. Deloose, shortly after you completed your residency and fellowship training, was there a therapy area or subject matter you wish you were taught or had more experience in?
As a young surgeon 25 years ago, I was immediately captivated by minimally invasive surgery. I rejected the surgical adagio of the time, that “big surgeons make big incisions”. My focus in general surgery was on laparoscopic and thoracoscopic procedures, with, of course, endovascular surgery as my ultimate specialty.
Many residents and fellows leave training with a sense that they aren’t fully ready for clinical practice. Do you remember a time when you felt like you weren’t ready for “prime time”? How did you overcome this?
My senior colleague and mentor, Dr. Marc Bosiers, helped me maneuver those challenging initial steps. Simply knowing that I could call him for advice whenever I needed was comforting during those tough times.
You have authored or co-authored more than 100 articles in peer-reviewed medical journals, delivered more than 750 lectures, and have served as organizer, moderator, or panelist at more than 100 congresses. How would you recommend a fellow get involved with clinical trials and/or establish collaborative research with other specialists?
I can instinctively sense which residents and fellows have a passion for clinical trial work. When I notice such interest, I try to involve them as much as possible in all the steps on conducting “good clinical practice”. Most of these young specialists return to their hometowns with a sound background on running trials and with an established private and professional relationship with our center, ready to collaborate with us on our physician-initiated trials in the future.
Dr. Deloose, when thinking about the business of healthcare, what are 2-3 concepts that you wish you knew coming out of your fellowship?
I felt the lack of a course on how to flawlessly run clinical trials; I had to learn it the hard way. I also wish I had guidance in overall management — how to negotiate with hospital boards, address financial and legal issues, and how to interact with other stakeholders in healthcare.
Dr. Koen Deloose is not just a vascular surgeon; he is an innovator in the field. Earning his medical degree magna cum laude from Catholic University in Louvain, Belgium, he has since become a leading figure in vascular surgery and endovascular research. As the head of the Department of Vascular Surgery at AZ Sint-Blasius and the founding Course Director of the Paris Vascular Insights Conference, Dr. Deloose wears many hats — surgeon, researcher, teacher, and organizer to name just a few. We caught up with him to discuss everything - from the challenges young surgeons face to his top picks for operating room playlists. Sit back and enjoy this in-depth conversation with a luminary in the vascular community.
Dr. Deloose, shortly after you completed your residency and fellowship training, was there a therapy area or subject matter you wish you were taught or had more experience in?
As a young surgeon 25 years ago, I was immediately captivated by minimally invasive surgery. I rejected the surgical adagio of the time, that “big surgeons make big incisions”. My focus in general surgery was on laparoscopic and thoracoscopic procedures, with, of course, endovascular surgery as my ultimate specialty.
Many residents and fellows leave training with a sense that they aren’t fully ready for clinical practice. Do you remember a time when you felt like you weren’t ready for “prime time”? How did you overcome this?
My senior colleague and mentor, Dr. Marc Bosiers, helped me maneuver those challenging initial steps. Simply knowing that I could call him for advice whenever I needed was comforting during those tough times.
You have authored or co-authored more than 100 articles in peer-reviewed medical journals, delivered more than 750 lectures, and have served as organizer, moderator, or panelist at more than 100 congresses. How would you recommend a fellow get involved with clinical trials and/or establish collaborative research with other specialists?
I can instinctively sense which residents and fellows have a passion for clinical trial work. When I notice such interest, I try to involve them as much as possible in all the steps on conducting “good clinical practice”. Most of these young specialists return to their hometowns with a sound background on running trials and with an established private and professional relationship with our center, ready to collaborate with us on our physician-initiated trials in the future.
Dr. Deloose, when thinking about the business of healthcare, what are 2-3 concepts that you wish you knew coming out of your fellowship?
I felt the lack of a course on how to flawlessly run clinical trials; I had to learn it the hard way. I also wish I had guidance in overall management — how to negotiate with hospital boards, address financial and legal issues, and how to interact with other stakeholders in healthcare.
Fun, Insightful Interviews with the
World's Brightest Physicians
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Fun, Insightful Interviews with the
World's Brightest Physicians
Delivered straight to your inbox. Completely free. No spam.
Fun, Insightful Interviews with the
World's Brightest Physicians
Delivered straight to your inbox. Completely free. No spam.
You have friends and colleagues across multiple healthcare disciplines. For a young clinician, how important is networking? Are there 2-3 tips that you can pass along on how to network better or effectively?
Multidisciplinary networking is gaining importance every day. Social media platforms are useful, but let’s not underestimate the power of face to face communication during multidisciplinary events like the Paris Vascular Insights.
Personally, I try to pick congresses where multidisciplinary initiatives are emphasized. I believe I learn the most from them.
Also in clinical trials (DSMB, CEC, etc.) we need to strive for opinions and input from all corners of the healthcare field and beyond. The “Paclitaxel-gate”, for example, happened because endovascular specialists didn’t adequately collaborate with pharmacologists and biochemistry specialists.
You speak on podium at many conferences and do a fair amount of physician training. What are some of the important skill sets needed to be an effective leader in these types of initiatives.
For me, there are three key pillars to succeed in this area. First, you must be thoroughly knowledgeable in both theory and practice; knowledge is power on the podium and in the operating theater. Second, you need an aptitude for teaching, to break down complex issues into easily understandable terms, step by step. Lastly, a bit of theatrical flair helps to keep it attractive, to keep your audience's attention, whether it’s a small gathering or a large conference.
Dr. Deloose, when operating, if you had to choose 3 songs to play on repeat, what would they be?
My playlist would include:
Ne me quitte pas by Jacques Brel
Dance me to the end of love by Leonard Cohen
Aria, BWV 508, Bist du bei mir by Johann Sebastian Bach
Quite a classical, romantic personality. 😉
How about movies – what are your top 3 favorites of all time?
Basic Instinct, Silence of the Lambs, and Dangerous Liaisons are at the top of my list.
These movies feature top professional actors whom I adore like Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Anthony Hopkins, and Sharon Stone. And the scripts are extremely well-written.
If you could reach every single resident or fellow with one message, what would it be?
In Dutch: ”Matig goed is barslecht” means “moderately good is very bad”.
This motto holds weight not only in surgery, but in life itself. A very important, and equally underestimated statement.
Last, are there any events, congresses, clinical research, etc. you’d like to raise awareness for?
The increasing political and economical influence on the healthcare system is alarming. We need to be aware of this more than ever. I also want to raise two other points. First, the results of the SUPERSURG RCT, randomizing the Supera versus endarterectomy in the CFA will be a breakthrough study in this area.
And, of course, I’m excited about the new Paris Vascular Insights Course held at the iconic Carrousel du Louvre in Paris. It’s a completely novel congress experience, so keep an eye on that.
You have friends and colleagues across multiple healthcare disciplines. For a young clinician, how important is networking? Are there 2-3 tips that you can pass along on how to network better or effectively?
Multidisciplinary networking is gaining importance every day. Social media platforms are useful, but let’s not underestimate the power of face to face communication during multidisciplinary events like the Paris Vascular Insights.
Personally, I try to pick congresses where multidisciplinary initiatives are emphasized. I believe I learn the most from them.
Also in clinical trials (DSMB, CEC, etc.) we need to strive for opinions and input from all corners of the healthcare field and beyond. The “Paclitaxel-gate”, for example, happened because endovascular specialists didn’t adequately collaborate with pharmacologists and biochemistry specialists.
You speak on podium at many conferences and do a fair amount of physician training. What are some of the important skill sets needed to be an effective leader in these types of initiatives.
For me, there are three key pillars to succeed in this area. First, you must be thoroughly knowledgeable in both theory and practice; knowledge is power on the podium and in the operating theater. Second, you need an aptitude for teaching, to break down complex issues into easily understandable terms, step by step. Lastly, a bit of theatrical flair helps to keep it attractive, to keep your audience's attention, whether it’s a small gathering or a large conference.
Dr. Deloose, when operating, if you had to choose 3 songs to play on repeat, what would they be?
My playlist would include:
Ne me quitte pas by Jacques Brel
Dance me to the end of love by Leonard Cohen
Aria, BWV 508, Bist du bei mir by Johann Sebastian Bach
Quite a classical, romantic personality. 😉
How about movies – what are your top 3 favorites of all time?
Basic Instinct, Silence of the Lambs, and Dangerous Liaisons are at the top of my list.
These movies feature top professional actors whom I adore like Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Anthony Hopkins, and Sharon Stone. And the scripts are extremely well-written.
If you could reach every single resident or fellow with one message, what would it be?
In Dutch: ”Matig goed is barslecht” means “moderately good is very bad”.
This motto holds weight not only in surgery, but in life itself. A very important, and equally underestimated statement.
Last, are there any events, congresses, clinical research, etc. you’d like to raise awareness for?
The increasing political and economical influence on the healthcare system is alarming. We need to be aware of this more than ever. I also want to raise two other points. First, the results of the SUPERSURG RCT, randomizing the Supera versus endarterectomy in the CFA will be a breakthrough study in this area.
And, of course, I’m excited about the new Paris Vascular Insights Course held at the iconic Carrousel du Louvre in Paris. It’s a completely novel congress experience, so keep an eye on that.
You have friends and colleagues across multiple healthcare disciplines. For a young clinician, how important is networking? Are there 2-3 tips that you can pass along on how to network better or effectively?
Multidisciplinary networking is gaining importance every day. Social media platforms are useful, but let’s not underestimate the power of face to face communication during multidisciplinary events like the Paris Vascular Insights.
Personally, I try to pick congresses where multidisciplinary initiatives are emphasized. I believe I learn the most from them.
Also in clinical trials (DSMB, CEC, etc.) we need to strive for opinions and input from all corners of the healthcare field and beyond. The “Paclitaxel-gate”, for example, happened because endovascular specialists didn’t adequately collaborate with pharmacologists and biochemistry specialists.
You speak on podium at many conferences and do a fair amount of physician training. What are some of the important skill sets needed to be an effective leader in these types of initiatives.
For me, there are three key pillars to succeed in this area. First, you must be thoroughly knowledgeable in both theory and practice; knowledge is power on the podium and in the operating theater. Second, you need an aptitude for teaching, to break down complex issues into easily understandable terms, step by step. Lastly, a bit of theatrical flair helps to keep it attractive, to keep your audience's attention, whether it’s a small gathering or a large conference.
Dr. Deloose, when operating, if you had to choose 3 songs to play on repeat, what would they be?
My playlist would include:
Ne me quitte pas by Jacques Brel
Dance me to the end of love by Leonard Cohen
Aria, BWV 508, Bist du bei mir by Johann Sebastian Bach
Quite a classical, romantic personality. 😉
How about movies – what are your top 3 favorites of all time?
Basic Instinct, Silence of the Lambs, and Dangerous Liaisons are at the top of my list.
These movies feature top professional actors whom I adore like Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Anthony Hopkins, and Sharon Stone. And the scripts are extremely well-written.
If you could reach every single resident or fellow with one message, what would it be?
In Dutch: ”Matig goed is barslecht” means “moderately good is very bad”.
This motto holds weight not only in surgery, but in life itself. A very important, and equally underestimated statement.
Last, are there any events, congresses, clinical research, etc. you’d like to raise awareness for?
The increasing political and economical influence on the healthcare system is alarming. We need to be aware of this more than ever. I also want to raise two other points. First, the results of the SUPERSURG RCT, randomizing the Supera versus endarterectomy in the CFA will be a breakthrough study in this area.
And, of course, I’m excited about the new Paris Vascular Insights Course held at the iconic Carrousel du Louvre in Paris. It’s a completely novel congress experience, so keep an eye on that.
