Team
Dr. Johan Vehof, plastic surgeon
Dr. Johan Vehof is a plastic surgeon at Rijnstate Hospital in Arnhem. He has extensive experience in schisis surgery from newborns to adults. He was trained at the Radboud UMC in Nijmegen by Prof. Dr. Paul Spauwen and also learned a lot from Brian Sommerlad at the renowned Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. Dr. Johan Vehof was part of the University schsis team in Nijmegen for 8 years, at that time the largest team in the Netherlands. For years he treated several children with a form of schisis here on a weekly basis. In addition, he was active in Schisisteam Arnhem until January 2016.
In 2009, Johan Vehof was asked to set up a relief mission together for China at the time Care4Tina was founded. Between 2010 and 2020, Johan Vehof traveled annually with Care4Tina to Xian to selflessly help children for two weeks. Since then, he has treated more than 425 children in China.
In 2018 and 2019, he also traveled with "Harapan jaya" Foundation to Pemantang Siantar in Sumatra in Indonesia to treat children with schisis or burns there as well. There he saw that there is a great need for sustainable provision of schisis assistance. Training local aid workers is an essential part of providing schisis aid.
In the early 2020s, Covid-19 made it impossible to travel abroad to provide assistance. In Xian, care for children with schisis continued as usual thanks to the work of the Care4Tina team as local doctors learned to operate on schisis independently using modern techniques. This illustrates the importance of providing sustainable help, working with and training local people, two key principles of Help2Smile.
Dr. Bob Logjes, plastic surgeon i.o.
Dr. Bob Logjes is training to become a plastic, reconstructive and hand surgeon at the UMC Utrecht & St. Antonius Hospital. In addition to his clinical work, he wants to use scientific research to better understand the etiology of the development of congenital defects and in this way improve the treatment of patients with congenital anomalies (cleft lip and palate). Under the supervision of Prof. JH Coert and Prof. CC Breugem, he obtained his PhD in September 2022 on the topic "New perspectives in the (surgical) treatment of patients with Robin sequence and cleft palate", with the aim of improving multidisciplinary treatment, outcomes and the guidance of patients and parents. In addition, he is passionate about contributing to the improvement of medical care for children in low-income countries. Since 2023, he has been part of the medical team of Help2Smile and is responsible for sponsorship applications for Help2Smile.
Drs. Kim Phi Luong, plastic surgery physician
Kim Phi Luong is working as a PhD candidate at Radboudumc for the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery. Because of her affinity for Plastic Surgery including the field of pediatric surgery, she likes to dedicate herself to the Help2Smile foundation to improve accessibility of care. In addition, she likes to strive for sustainable care, supporting wherever possible to strengthen the capacity of local medical professionals and improve the quality of care in the long term. Her passion for the field and her personal commitment to the Vietnamese community because of her background makes this first mission to Vietnam extra special.
Ms. Kirsten Huizinga, operating assistant
Kirsten Huizinga works as an operating assistant at Rijnstate Hospital in Arnhem. The dynamic aspect of her profession and working as part of a team ensure that she enjoys going to work every day. From 2019 to 2024, she served as a reservist in defense, where she was part of the medical team as an Army lieutenant. In 2021, she was deployed to Afghanistan. Now a new adventure is about to begin; together with the medical team of the Help2Smile Foundation, she will perform surgeries in Hue, Vietnam. She considers this a great initiative and feels honored to be part of this wonderful organization.
Dr. Chantal Liebrand, pediatric anesthesiologist & pediatrician
Chantal Liebrand works as a pediatric anesthesiologist at the Sophia Children's Hospital in Rotterdam. And additionally as a pediatrician at the St. Antonius hospital In Kleve. She was trained as a pediatrician and pediatric intensivist at the RadboudUMC in Nijmegen, where she also completed most of her training as an anesthesiologist. She completed her training as an anesthesiologist at ErasmusMC in Rotterdam, followed by a fellowship in pediatric anesthesiology at Sophia Children's Hospital, where she has been working since 2016. In 2022, she traveled with "Harapan Jaya" Foundation to Pemtang Siantar in Sumatra, Indonesia, where she saw what a difference sustainable care can make in the lives of children. She also found working together with local aid workers and exchanging knowledge and experience very valuable. She is therefore looking forward to caring for these children in Vietnam with the team.
Mr. Geoffrey de Roy van Zuydewijn, nurse anesthetist
Geoffrey de Roy van Zuydewijn works as a nurse anesthetist at the Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital. As an anesthesia assistant, he serves as the right hand of the anesthesiologist. Together they perform anesthesia and care for patients peri- and postoperatively. He looks forward to getting to work in Vietnam helping local children and providing care.
Board
President - vacancy
Sander Benraad, treasurer
Sander Benraad is an experienced pharmacist with a passion for innovation within the pharmaceutical sector. With a background in startups within pharmaceuticals, he has gained extensive knowledge and experience in establishing and leading new initiatives and projects. With his combination of pharmaceutical expertise and entrepreneurship, Sander is committed to finding innovative solutions and creating positive change within the healthcare industry. He is heavily involved in the Help2Smile Foundation as treasurer.
Dr. Johan Vehof, secretary
Dr. Johan Vehof is a plastic surgeon at Rijnstate Hospital in Arnhem. He has extensive experience in schisis surgery from newborns to adults. He was trained at the Radboud UMC in Nijmegen by Prof. Dr. Paul Spauwen and also learned a lot from Brian Sommerlad at the renowned Great Ormondstreet Hospital in London. Dr. Johan Vehof was part of the University schsis team in Nijmegen for 8 years, at that time the largest team in the Netherlands. For years he treated several children with a form of schisis here on a weekly basis. In addition, he was active in Schisisteam Arnhem until January 2016.
Mirella Kreger, fundraising
Mirella Kreger has worked for years as a consultant for 3rd money, both at a welfare organization and in government. Now she enthusiastically uses her talents as a fundraiser for Help2Smile. Her mission? Making sure the organization is financially strong so that Help2Smile can continue to do what it's all about: bringing smiles to children with schisis and improving their well-being. Whether it's donations, organizing a sponsorship event, a legacy, or another partnership, Mirella is happy to think with you! Feel free to contact her at info@help2smile.nl.
Drs. Kim Phi Luong, board member
Kim Phi Luong is working as a PhD candidate at Radboudumc for the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery. Because of her affinity for Plastic Surgery including the field of pediatric surgery, she likes to dedicate herself to the Help2Smile foundation to improve accessibility of care. In addition, she likes to strive for sustainable care, supporting wherever possible to strengthen the capacity of local medical professionals and improve the quality of care in the long term. Her passion for the field and her personal commitment to the Vietnamese community because of her background makes this first mission to Vietnam extra special.
Dr. Bob Logjes, board member
Dr. Bob Logjes is training to become a plastic, reconstructive and hand surgeon at the UMC Utrecht & St. Antonius Hospital. In addition to his clinical work, he wants to use scientific research to better understand the etiology of the development of congenital defects and in this way improve the treatment of patients with congenital anomalies (cleft lip and palate). Under the supervision of Prof. JH Coert and Prof. CC Breugem, he obtained his PhD in September 2022 on the topic "New perspectives in the (surgical) treatment of patients with Robin sequence and cleft palate", with the aim of improving multidisciplinary treatment, outcomes and the guidance of patients and parents. In addition, he is passionate about contributing to the improvement of medical care for children in low-income countries. Since 2023, he has been part of the medical team of Help2Smile and is responsible for sponsorship applications for Help2Smile.
We are honored that Dr. Gwan Kho is an honored board member of our foundation.
Compensation policy for board members
The board members dedicate themselves selflessly to the foundation. No remuneration is provided to board members. The administration is done by the secretary of the board. The cost structure of the institution is directly related to the cost of each aid mission as defined in the policy plan.
Ambassador
Janny van der Heyden, ambassador
In addition to being the author of many (cook) books, Janny van der Heijden is a beloved TV personality. The programs she makes and the columns she writes are often all about 'connecting'.
'Personally, I experience a smile as a great reward' she says 'so if I can contribute to delivering that smile, I will not fail to do so. That is also why the work of the Help2Smile foundation appeals to me so much'.
We are honored that Janny van der Heijden is an ambassador for our foundation!
In memoriam
Roland van der Hoek († 2025)
Roland was one of the founders and board members of Help2Smile and chairman of the board.