Miek Jong (51) has been appointed as the new Head of Norway’s National Research Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM) for a four-year period from 2020-2024.
She is joining NAFKAM from Mid Sweden University in Sundsvall where she is a senior lecturer/assistant professor focusing on research and teaching in public health.
Originally from the Netherlands, Jong holds a PhD from the University of Leiden. Her previous work experience includes ten years as Managing Director of the Department Nutrition & Health at the Dutch Louis Bolk Institute, where she was responsible for research and teaching on the topics of a healthy lifestyle, integrative and complementary medicine.
- The number of patients who use complementary and alternative medicine is substantial, both in Norway and throughout Europe. Often patients do not discuss these treatments with their healthcare professional. There is hence a great need for reliable information on the potential benefits and risks of such treatment options, says Miek Jong. - I look forward to contribute to high quality information and research in this field in my new role of director of NAFKAM. In my view, this is essential for providing good health care in general, as well as enabling individuals to support their own health.
- Solid management skills are essential to ensure the high quality and professionalism that UiT and Norwegian health authorities require from centers such as NAFKAM. We are delighted that Miek Jong has accepted the director position at NAFKAM and warmly welcome her to Tromsø, says Magritt Brustad, Head of UiT’s Institute of Community Medicine (ISM).
Jong is starting at NAFKAM on April 1, 2020. An overview of her publications are found here.
NAFKAM's long-time head Prof. Vinjar Fønnebø is taking up a new position as Head of the Institute of Community Medicine.
