Ilse Degreef – Treasurer of FESSH (2026–2029)

Ilse Degreef is Surgeon-in-Chief of the Hand, Elbow and Microsurgery Unit at University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium and Full Professor of Orthopedics & Hand Surgery at KU Leuven. Her clinical and academic interests include hand and microsurgery, wrist and elbow reconstruction, surgical education and Dupuytren disease, the subject of her PhD research. Since 2021, she has combined clinical practice with dedicated research time through a national FWO Senior Clinical Investigator Grant (18B4227N) focused on Dupuytren disease. Within the Belgian Hand Group, she served as President and continues to coordinate the Belgian Hand Surgery Certificate (BHSC), the national interuniversity training and examination program in hand surgery, established in 2018.

Since joining FESSH through the Belgian Hand Group in 2004, she has contributed as a Council and Executive Committee member, Chair of the Relationship Committee, EBHS examiner and faculty member in several FESSH educational program, including the FESSH Academy Foundation and Advanced Courses.

As Treasurer of FESSH (2026–2029), her focus is on supporting education and research, strengthening collaboration between member societies, and ensuring transparent and sustainable financial management for the Federation.

European Board Diploma in Hand Surgery (EBHS) –  2012.