Ms. Isabel Verniers | Sustainability | Best Researcher Award
Ms. Isabel Verniers, vzw Maria Middelares, Belgium
Ms. Isabel Verniers is a dynamic healthcare professional and logistic strategist currently serving as Staff Advisor to the Co-CEO/COO at Maria Middelares Hospital in Gent, Belgium. With over two decades of experience in perioperative care, hospital operations, and sustainability leadership, she brings operational precision and a passion for patient-centered innovation. Isabel is pursuing an Executive MBA and has authored an upcoming publication on environmental sustainability in healthcare. Her dedication to optimizing clinical pathways, cost efficiency, and sustainable practices positions her as a transformative figure in modern hospital administration. She is multilingual and skilled in SPSS, SAP, and healthcare analytics.
Publication Profile
🎓 Education
Isabel Verniers holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Ghent University and a Bachelor’s in Nursing from Arteveldehogeschool Gent. She is currently enrolled in an Executive MBA program at Vlerick Business School (2023–2024) and previously completed a program in Hospital Management (2021–2022) at the same institution. In 2021, she earned a Certified Green Belt in Value-Based Healthcare from The Decision Institute. Her academic foundation blends clinical expertise with managerial and sustainability-focused competencies, enabling her to bridge gaps between hospital operations and modern healthcare strategies. Her education reflects lifelong learning and leadership in a fast-evolving healthcare ecosystem.
💼 Experience
Ms. Verniers began her career in 2002 as a perioperative nurse at UZ Gent and Bvba Dr. Vanhouteghem, advancing to senior surgical roles at Maria Middelares Hospital. From 2014 to 2021, she served as Adjunct Head Nurse and Interim Head of the OR, specializing in orthopedic, neuro, and cardiovascular surgery logistics. Between 2020–2023, she focused on optimizing surgical planning and cost control as a planning and staff advisor. Since 2023, she has led major projects in logistics, medical material management, and sustainability as Staff Advisor to the Co-CEO/COO. Her career showcases deep operational insight and progressive leadership.
🏅 Awards & Honors
While formal awards are not explicitly listed, Ms. Verniers has consistently been entrusted with key leadership roles and interim head positions, which reflect recognition of her strategic, organizational, and clinical excellence. Her selection for the prestigious Executive MBA program at Vlerick and her appointment as Secretary of the Sustainability Steering Committee and Medical Materials Committee underscore institutional acknowledgment of her expertise. Additionally, co-authoring a forthcoming peer-reviewed publication further validates her contribution to thought leadership in healthcare sustainability. These appointments and projects signify high professional trust and respect across her institution and the broader healthcare community.
🔬 Research Focus
Ms. Isabel Verniers focuses on environmental sustainability in healthcare, particularly managerial strategies to reduce ecological footprints while improving efficiency in clinical operations. Her upcoming publication in Best Practice & Research: Clinical Anaesthesiology explores the integration of sustainable practices in hospital settings. With a strong foundation in nursing, logistics, and healthcare management, her research blends empirical insight with actionable recommendations. She also investigates value-based healthcare models and resource optimization in surgical environments. Her interdisciplinary research supports systemic innovation and climate-conscious healthcare delivery.