Remembering Ans Steuten 1962 - 2018
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ans Steuten, our beloved colleague and founder of the EHA Executive Office.
Words that describe Ans in a nutshell: pioneer, diplomatic, smart, dedicated, charming and humorous.
In the millennium year, Ans started the one-person Executive Office, taking over the secretarial support that was provided by an external company since EHA started in 1992. In close collaboration with, and under the guidance of then EHA President Bob Löwenberg, the tiny office was initiated and located at the Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam.
Over the years, Ans worked closely together with many board and committee members. Some of them founding fathers, like Bob Löwenberg and John Goldman, others longtime members like Emili Montserrat, Ton Hagenbeek, Robin Foà, Laurent Degos, Didi Jasmin, Magnus Björkholm and many more.
Ans led the EHA Executive Office for seven years more, which soon moved to increasingly larger offices in Rotterdam and eventually, The Hague. Ans was a wonderful human being beloved by many of us. She was famous for her personal commitment to EHA and her remarkable humor and handling delicate issues with admirable diplomacy; many of her business relationships turned into friendships. The annual congress of EHA was the opportunity to meet with friends from the hematology community from leading hematologists to staff of partner organizations, as well as the congress secretariat and many other people.
In 2007, Ans decided to step back due to her fragile health. She could no longer meet the demands of a growing office and EHA’s expanding ambitions. The EHA Board together with Ans looked for the right person and leader who could run the EHA Executive Office. Carin Smand not only fitted the profile, but there was also this very important personal click, which allowed Ans to focus on the topic where her heart laid: career development.
In the following years, Ans was very much involved in the launch and following editions of the prestigious Translational Research Training in Hematology, which was established in close collaboration with the American Society of Hematology.
With her enthusiasm for the field and experience, Ans helped the career development program grow, extensively supporting the Fellowships and Grants Committee over the years.
Another part within EHA that was of big importance for Ans was the governance of the association which took shape with the involvement of the Nomination Committee, established in 2006.
In 2016, Ans stopped working for the Executive Office as her health was weakening. She always kept in touch with the people she worked with over the years.
She will be dearly missed.
On behalf of the European Hematology Association,
Pieter Sonneveld, EHA President and Carin Smand, Executive Director
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Add messageFleur de Haas
I have very fond memories of sharing an office with Ans for 2 years. I remember the daily chats, the jokes (and her dry sense of humour), but mostly the dedication she had for her work and for the people she worked with. She put her heart and soul into everything she did and was a lovely colleague to work with. I am very sad to see her leave this life too early and give all my condolences to her friends, family, and of course the people in the office and colleagues she worked with.
Marek Mraz
I met Ans for the first time as recipient of the EHA Research Award, and she greatly helped me to administer this grant. She understood that I had no major experience in managing budgets, she allowed me to make changes, and she did not expect me to think about administration at the first place. She was what each scientist would love to have as an administrator… someone who understands the spirit of science and scientists.
Didi Jasmin
I will remember Ans for many reasons.
Her professional abilities were very important to the stability of the young EHA and to its subsequent development and success. Her professional achievements have left a durable mark and will continue to serve the Haematology community as a whole.
Ans was a dedicated, loyal and kind person with a quiet dignity that inspired respect, trust and friendship.
I hope that her loved ones will find some comfort in knowing how much Ans will be sincerely missed by the many people who knew her and who share a deep sadness at the loss of such a fine and valuable person.
Bob Löwenberg
Because we were aware that Ans had a brittle health, we knew this day would unevitably be coming. When Ans came the professionalisation of the EHA office took off. I will never forget the day when EHA decided to start its own EHA office and hire Ans. This marked a fundamental step in the development of the organisation. We can be truly grateful to her for her huge commitment to EHA and wonderful contributions to the development of EHA and last but not least her friendship during all these years. Bob Löwenberg
Nancy Hamilton
This is truly heartbreaking news. Ans was indeed a very special and caring person. Her kindness and friendship were very important to me when I arrived in Rotterdam in 2002 and over the years. I remember her laughter and her dedication. Thé first time we travelled to Brussels together in 2002 neither one of us had the exact details of the person we were to meet, just a first name. So there we stood in front of the huge newly constructed EU Commission on a frosty morning wonderinng how we would ever find "Paul". We decided to just head on in and ask after all how many "Paul's" can there be in there looking up at massive commission building. We just broke down laughing and laughing. We pulled ourselves together and headed to the reception area. After explaining who we were and who we wanted to see: Paul, we managed to find him in time for our meeting. Those were wonderful years and Ans' role was truly key.
Jan Cools
Ans was a wonderful person with a warm hearth for hematology & EHA.
I received a lot of support from her when I was a young fellowship winner, and later also at the EHA board.
Thank you, Ans, for your your professional help, your enthusiasm and your smile.
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