Healthropist: a community that connects and inspires

An inspiring community for everyone

As a Healthropist, you are part of a growing community of people who support ITM. But who is behind this initiative? And what is its purpose? Nico Van Aerde and Raphaela Delahaye explain.

Last year, you launched The Healthropist. What exactly does that entail?
NICO The Healthropist is a combination of health and philanthropist. The idea is that you are part of a group of people who, each in their own way, contribute to improving global health. Often, people want to do something, but don't know where to start. The Healthropist lowers that threshold: together, you can make a difference.

And does it really bring people closer together?
RAPHAELA Yes, we are seeing more and more people signing up and staying involved. Of course, there are donors who have been loyally supporting us for years, and we continue to thank them and include them in our story. But through The Healthropist, we are also reaching new people who may not have known they could play a role. We are noticing that the community is growing, and that gives us energy.

How do you see the future?
RAPHAELA I hope we can continue to expand The Healthropist. The larger and more active the community, the more we can achieve together. And I see that within the ITM too: colleagues are increasingly asking what they can do to contribute, even if it's just “spreading the word”. It makes a difference when researchers and staff become ambassadors themselves.

NICO We also want to continue experimenting with ways to involve the community, whether through heritage projects, special events or inspiring stories. It's all about building together.

One last wish?
RAPHAELA That The Healthropist becomes a natural part of the ITM story. That people know us not only for our groundbreaking research, but also for the warm and committed community that we are together.