Royal distinctions for Marten Munneke and Bas Bloem Royal decorations awarded at Symposium World Parkinson's Day 2024

On Saturday, April 13, 2024, Marten Munneke and Bas Bloem received a royal distinction from Minister of Medical Care Pia Dijkstra. This presentation took place during the annual Symposium World Parkinson's Day 2024, organized by the Parkinson's Association in Nieuwegein. Marten Munneke was appointed Officer in the Order of Oranje-Nassau and Bas Bloem was appointed Knight in the Order of the Dutch Lion.

Bas Bloem and Marten Munneke are the creators, founders and architects of ParkinsonNet, a national network of approximately 4,000 healthcare providers who specialize in the treatment and support of people with Parkinson's disease or some form of parkinsonism. Together, Bloem and Munneke are committed to continuously improving care for people with this disease. Sports, healthy lifestyle and multidisciplinary care such as physical therapy and speech therapy play an important role in this. This innovative model of care received the Value Based Healthcare Prize in 2015 and is now used in several countries. ParkinsonNet, which was founded in 2004 and thus celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, is regarded worldwide as a model for the treatment of people with chronic diseases, with the aim of improving quality of life and reducing healthcare costs.

Marten Munneke

Marten Munneke was trained as a physical therapist, exercise scientist and epidemiologist. In 2002 he was appointed associate professor in the Departments of Neurology and Rehabilitation & Paramedic Care at Radboudumc. In 2009, he was appointed associate professor. His main areas of interest are evidence-based practice of paramedical health care in Parkinson's disease, quality and innovation of multidisciplinary care, and physical activity and exercise in Parkinson's disease and their loved ones. Munneke is director and board member of ParkinsonNet. In that role, his greatest mission is to make a positive impact on the lives of people with Parkinson's disease, ParkinsonNet professionals and the people who passionately work at ParkinsonNet every day.

Bas Bloem

Neurologist Bas Bloem is Professor of Neurological Movement Disorders at the Radboudumc. He is a world-renowned expert on Parkinson's disease. The incurable brain disorder has been on the scientific and societal agenda for decades thanks to Bloem's efforts. Bloem constantly searches for new ways to slow and prevent Parkinson's disease, and to keep the quality of life of patients and loved ones as high as possible for as long as possible. In 2022, he received the NWO Stevin Prize for the societal impact of his Parkinson's research. In 2023, he organized the Parkinson Weekend in Nijmegen, an event where thousands of people with Parkinson's disease, their loved ones and other interested parties came together. His goal is to organize the care for people with Parkinson's the way you, as a patient, would want to be guided, person-centered.

About the Royal distinctions

The decoration Orde van Oranje-Nassau received by Marten Munneke is awarded to someone who has rendered personal service to society, the State or the Royal House for a long period of time.
For the Order of the Dutch Lion, which Bas Bloem receives, a person qualifies if they have made an achievement of a very exceptional nature for society.
The board and staff of the Radboudumc congratulate Marten Munneke and Bas Bloem on these well-deserved royal decorations.

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