Stefan Gijssels is a dedicated health policy advisor committed to making healthcare systems more patient-centric and innovative. Despite significant progress in healthcare, he highlights that hundreds of thousands of people in the European Union still lose their lives due to inadequate healthcare policies, even in some of the wealthiest nations. Driven by the need for change, Stefan aims to contribute to improving healthcare outcomes across Europe.

As the Chair of the Patient Expert Center (PEC) in Belgium, Stefan leads an organization that trains patient organization members to become experts in their specific disease areas, empowering patients to take an active role in shaping healthcare policy and practice. He also serves as Co-Chair of the Scientific Committee of Sharing Progress in Cancer Care (SPCC), a global platform dedicated to advancing cancer care.

Stefan is not only a prominent advocate but also a metastatic colorectal cancer survivor, lending personal experience to his professional efforts. His past roles include serving as Chief Executive Officer of Digestive Cancers Europe (2019-2021), where he led the umbrella organization for digestive cancer patient associations across Europe. He also co-chaired the Patient Advisory Committee of the European Cancer Organisation and was a member of its Board and Executive Committee. Additionally, Stefan was on the Board and Executive Committee of the FT3P (From Testing to Targeted Treatment Programme) and co-chaired the European Alliance for Value in Health.

In earlier years, Stefan played a key role in shaping science policy, serving as Vice Chair of the Belgian Federal Science Policy Council (2002-2008) and as a member of the Board of the Institute of Scientific and Technological Aspect Research of the Parliament of Flanders.

Throughout his career, Stefan Gijssels has demonstrated a deep commitment to improving healthcare by promoting patient empowerment, policy reform, and innovative solutions that address the challenges facing health systems today.