Lifelines appoints Baukje Boertien as General Director

As of May 1, 2026, Baukje Boertien MSc MBA will take up the position of General Director of Lifelines. With her appointment, Lifelines brings in an experienced executive with a broad background in both healthcare and data. Together with Scientific Director Prof. Dr. Debbie van Baarle, she will form the executive board of the long-term population health study.

Baukje Boertien has been affiliated with the UMCG for 36 years. She brings extensive experience in healthcare and in addressing complex challenges. She is known for translating strategic choices into practical and future-proof solutions.

“The combination of data, research, and a long-term perspective makes Lifelines an infrastructure of great societal and scientific importance that I am eager to contribute to,” Boertien explains. “As a resident of and with family in the Northern Netherlands, I also feel strongly connected to the region for which Lifelines plays such an important role.”

In addition to her role as General Director, Boertien will remain affiliated with the UMCG, where she will focus on regional strategic issues and collaborations.

Lifelines is confident that her knowledge and experience will make a valuable contribution to the further development of the organization and to increasing the societal impact of its data. Together with fellow director Debbie van Baarle, she will form the executive leadership of Lifelines.

Speaking about the future of Lifelines, Boertien says: “I believe that the societal value and opportunities for Lifelines within the health data ecosystem will continue to grow in the coming years. I genuinely believe that together we can contribute to more healthy years for everyone. I am eager to actively contribute to that future.”

Since 2006, Lifelines has been collecting data and biological samples from more than 167,000 volunteer participants. This unique collection is used for scientific research and supports policymaking, with the aim of contributing to healthier aging.

Participants are currently being invited for the fourth round of extensive health assessments. Lifelines data have resulted in hundreds of scientific publications nationally and internationally and contribute to insights into areas such as lifestyle, mental health, and regional health issues, including recent research on the impact of gas extraction in Groningen.