Jelle Wesseling has been appointed Medical Director of the NKI Center for Early Diagnostics (CVV) as of July 1, 2025. He will succeed Theo Ruers, who has held the position since January 2022.
Jelle Wesseling is currently a pathologist at the clinic and a senior group leader in molecular pathology at the research department. Since 2018, he has held a professorship by special appointment in pathology, in particular breast pathology, at Leiden UMC.
Risk-based approach
Wesseling: “I am genuinely excited to step into the role of Medical Director at the Center for Early Diagnostics of the Netherlands Cancer Institute. The Center represents an important shift from volume-based to value-based cancer screening. In today’s era of precision medicine, relying on population-wide protocols alone is likely inefficient as well as potentially harmful. A risk-based approach enables more targeted screening—detecting aggressive cancers earlier in high-risk groups while avoiding unnecessary interventions in people unlikely to benefit. By basing decisions on data and what truly matters to patients, this model delivers more humane and effective care. In my new role, I will help make this vision a reality, closing the gap between scientific discovery and clinical implementation. The goal isn’t to do more, but to do better – smarter, fairer, and sustainable.”
Jelle Wesseling will lead the Center of Early Diagnostics together with Mara Blonden-Hidding (director of business operations CVV). Theo Ruers will continue in his current position at the Center for Early Diagnostics until October 1 and will remain at the NKI on staff after.
