By Philippe Nafteux, MD PhD
Clinical Head Department of Thoracic Surgery, Director Esophageal Cancer Care program, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Prof. Lerut's presidency can be described as a key period for ISDE, introducing a number of important changes focusing on the society's evolvement and further establishment as a multidisciplinary society.
Based on his experience in Leuven but also of his fellowships with David Skinner and Tom DeMeester at the University of Chicago, USA, he quickly understood that multidisciplinary approach was the cornerstone for understanding and treating esophageal diseases and furthermore that international collaboration and networking would become increasingly important in the future. Both ideas would remain the beacons defining the way for his long and successful career. Professor Lerut has been awarded honorary fellowships in 14 prestigious organizations.
Explore the life and contributions of Antoon (Toni) Lerut, ISDE President from 2001-2004, a key period in which the goals of the society were clearly defined in Diseases of the Esophagus, Volume 33, Issue 1, January 2020 or download his biography here.
About the Presidential Biography Series
The Presidential Biography Series is being published as part of the celebration for the 40th anniversary of the first ISDE Congress, visit our Celebrating 40 Years page to find out more. We hope you find the series an informative look at the history of the ISDE over the past 40 years.
Sincerely,
Giovanni Zaninotto and Neil Gupta
Editors in Chief, Diseases of the Esophagus (DOTE)
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