Claire van Hövell is one of the co-founders of Global Surgery Amsterdam and is currently completing her residency in plastic surgery, with a focus on improving surgical care in the field of pediatric plastic (burns) surgery. As part of her training program, she plans to do an internship at the pediatric burn center in Cape Town to gain more knowledge and experience. After finishing her plastic surgery residency in the Netherlands, she and her family aspire to move abroad to advocate and implement GSA’s mission and vision.

Having lived in several low- and middle income countries (Bangladesh, Malawi, Tanzania, South Africa) as a child and later on as a medical student, she became aware how access to healthcare, and safe surgery in particular, impacts the lives of those suffering from surgical conditions.

“As a seven year old girl living in Bangladesh I remember burn victims and other people with anomalies or disabilities clustering together in groups and living on the streets. This made a lasting impression on me.”

As a young mother, a plastic surgeon in training, and a painter, Claire combines empathy, creativity and precision in her work as a GSA surgeon. She is very passionate about pediatric plastic (burns) surgery. As part of her training program, she plans to do an internship at the pediatric burn center in Cape Town to gain more knowledge and experience. After finishing her plastic surgery residency in the Netherlands, she and her family aspire to move abroad to advocate and implement GSA’s mission and vision.