On Thursday, July 3, 2025, Dr. R.J.B. (Ralph) Sakkers of Loenen aan de Vecht was appointed Knight in the Order of the Dutch Lion. He received this royal honor during his farewell symposium at the University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht, presented by Mayor Ap Reinders of the municipality of Stichtse Vecht. Dr. Sakkers has been a friend of OIFE for years and was an important member of Medical Advisory Board until December 2024. 

Dr. Sakkers was awarded this distinction in recognition of his longstanding and exceptional contributions as a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, clinical researcher, educator, and healthcare administrator. He is widely regarded—both nationally and internationally—as a leading authority in the field of congenital skeletal disorders in children. His clinical philosophy has consistently placed the patient’s daily functioning and quality of life at the center of care, using these principles as the foundation for diagnosis and treatment.

During the award ceremony, Mayor Reinders expressed his deep appreciation for Dr. Sakkers’ impact on the medical profession, stating:

“There are those who master their profession. There are those who deepen it. And then there are individuals like Ralph Sakkers, who elevate their field to new heights and in doing so fundamentally improve the lives of many.”

At UMC Utrecht, Dr. Sakkers was a founding figure of the Expertise Center for Skeletal Malformations, which has grown into a leading center for rare musculoskeletal conditions. He also played a key role in establishing a robust national network of care and collaborated closely with patient advocacy groups. These collaborations led to the creation of online platforms providing reliable and accessible information for both patients and healthcare professionals.

In addition, Dr. Sakkers was instrumental in improving care for adult patients with rare bone disorders. He laid the groundwork for the expertise center at the Isala Hospital in Zwolle, now the largest center of its kind worldwide. He also introduced so-called “transition clinics,” which ensure a structured and supportive transfer of care from pediatric to adult services—a model now recognized as best practice across various medical disciplines.

Dr. Sakkers has also made a significant international impact. Within the European Pediatric Orthopaedic Society (EPOS), he has held several leadership roles, including five years as secretary. He currently serves as vice president and is designated to assume the presidency in 2026. Notably, much of this work was carried out in his own time, reflecting a level of dedication that peers have described as “exceptional,” and which has been instrumental in advancing the field.

(Official Statement of the University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands)