From October 21, 2024, all services from Polikliniek Stevenslei have moved to the new hospital wing of AZ Monica Deurne – More info

Orthoca and AZ Monica in 2024: a year of transformation and progress toward accessible and innovative orthopaedic care

Orthoca and AZ Monica in 2024: a year of transformation and progress toward accessible and innovative orthopedic care

2024 was an extraordinary year for Orthoca. We look back on a period full of transformations: from the opening of the Orthopaedic Focus Clinic to the move to the new wing of AZ Monica Deurne and the expansion of our Kielsevest hub. All these developments are focused on one goal: making quality orthopedic care accessible to as many patients as possible.

In addition, our team continued to grow and strengthen our position as a leading organization in orthopaedic care. In 2025, we will continue to innovate and collaborate with AZ Monica to ensure that our patients receive the best orthopedic care.

A flying start: the opening of the Orthopaedic Focus Clinic

One of the first highlights of 2024 was the opening of the Orthopaedic Focus Clinic in Antwerp on January 18. This unique collaboration between Orthoca and AZ Monica brings together the latest technologies and the best specialists in one location. The state-of-the-art operating rooms not only provide space for planned orthopaedic surgery but are also a center for innovation and training. Merging education, research and practice is always the dream formula for our service to spread knowledge and shape the future of orthopaedic care.

New milestones in Antwerp and Brussels

In addition to the opening of the Focus Clinic, many other great steps have been taken to make our care even more accessible and efficient.

At the Kielsevest location in Antwerp South, there was a significant expansion in July with new consultation rooms and a revamped front desk. These modifications reinforce Kielsevest’s role as an accessible hub for patients in Antwerp and the surrounding area.

In October, Orthoca said goodbye to the Stevenslei Polyclinic and moved to the new wing in AZ Monica Deurne. This modern infrastructure with advanced facilities allows us to respond even better to the needs of patients.

Finally, in September we celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Brussels hub in Watermael-Boitsfort, where we strengthened the team and expanded the care offer. So we can continue to count on specialized orthopedic care in the Brussels region as well.

Growth in team and expertise

In addition to infrastructural innovations, we experienced strong growth in both our team and expertise. In 2023, we welcomed Dr. Jeroen Verhaegen and Dr. Wouter Peeters, who joined the hip cluster. This continued in 2024 with the arrival of Dr. Dominique Spaepen, Dr. Debbie Van Renterghem and Dr. Eva Schenkels, who strengthened the foot and ankle team. In addition, Dr. Gaétan Delrue joined the knee cluster, with expertise in prosthetic and arthroscopic surgery.

February 2025 continues this trend with the arrival of Dr. Frederique Vanermen (knee) and Dr. Maxim Vanderstappen (shoulder), who further strengthen our team and contribute to the accessibility of our care.

In addition to team expansion, our physicians also achieved exceptional results in knowledge sharing in 2024. Through conferences and collaborations with leading organizations such as SECEC and EFAS, they continue to exchange expertise and share new insights. This continued focus on collaboration and growing expertise is essential to continuously improving our care for patients.

Looking ahead to 2025: building on a year of change

With more than 100,000 patient visits in 2024, we proudly look back on a year of transformation and growth. With the dedication of our team and close collaboration with AZ Monica, we continued to strengthen and optimize our care.

In 2025, we will continue to focus on collaboration and innovation so that we can continue to provide our patients with quality orthopedic care tailored to their needs.