Personal profile
Research interests
My research interests lie at the intersection of healthcare and environmental sustainability. As a staff anaesthesiologist, I am particularly focused on reducing the environmental impact of anaesthetic practices, leading efforts to phase out the use of volatile (gaseous) anaesthetics both in the Netherlands and internationally.
Beyond clinical practice, I founded and currently direct the Amsterdam UMC Centre for Sustainable Healthcare. Here, I’m dedicated to bridging research and implementation to drive sustainable change within healthcare. My work involves supporting over 65 Green Teams, fostering a vibrant community of more than 4,000 engaged employees, and guiding a diverse team that includes PhD students, post-docs, and experts in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Health Technology Assessment (HTA).
Additionally, I represent the Faculty of Medicine in UvA Seven, the University of Amsterdam’s climate initiative, where I work on applying systems transformation to promote climate action and resilience.
My research is deeply collaborative, and I actively partner with companies, governments, NGOs, and healthcare professionals in multidisciplinary initiatives aimed at achieving sustainability transitions in healthcare. As of 2024, I supervise 6 PhD Students and 3 Post-Docs in their work.
Specialisation
Anaesthesiology, especially neuroanaesthesiology with a focus on cerbral blood flow regulation.
Environmental sustainability in healthcare, with a focus on Green Operating Rooms
Related documents
Education/Academic qualification
Basiskwalificatie Onderwijs (BKO), University of Amsterdam
Award Date: 1 May 2024
External positions
Climate Initiative Steering Group, University of Amsterdam
Keywords
- RD Surgery
- R Medicine (General)
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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A nationwide approach to reduction in anaesthetic gas use: the Dutch Approach to decarbonising anaesthesia
Kampman, J. M., van Bree, E. M., Gielen, L. & Sperna Weiland, N. H., Apr 2025, In: British journal of anaesthesia. 134, 4, p. 1146-1152 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile31 Downloads (Pure) -
Attitudes towards addressing environmental sustainability in patient-provider interactions: a qualitative study among Dutch physicians
Cohen, E. S., Grandiek, F., Kringos, D. S., Kouwenberg, L. H. J. A., Sperna Weiland, N. H., Richie, C., Aarts, J. W. M. & Hehenkamp, W. J. K., 3 Dec 2025, In: BMJ open. 15, 12, e107454.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile15 Downloads (Pure) -
Choice of supraglottic airway devices. Comment on Br J Anaesth 2024; 133: 1284–306
Costello, S. T., Blommestein, K. I., Avis, H. J. & Sperna Weiland, N. H., Nov 2025, In: British journal of anaesthesia. 135, 5, p. 1564-1565 2 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/Letter to the editor › Academic
Open AccessFile2 Downloads (Pure) -
Correction to: Effects of intraoperative hyperoxia on cerebral blood flow and dynamic cerebral autoregulation (Canadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal canadien d'anesthésie, (2025), 72, 3, (511-513), 10.1007/s12630-025-02935-1)
van den Dool, R. E. C., Batelaan, L., Veelo, D. P., Schenk, J., Hollmann, M. W., Vlaar, A. P. J., Sperna Weiland, N. H. & Immink, R. V., May 2025, In: Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie. 72, 5, p. 869 1 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/Letter to the editor › Academic
Open AccessFile15 Downloads (Pure) -
Effects of intraoperative hyperoxia on cerebral blood flow and dynamic cerebral autoregulation
van den Dool, R. E. C., Batelaan, L., Veelo, D. P., Schenk, J., Hollmann, M. W., Vlaar, A. P. J., Sperna Weiland, N. H. & Immink, R. V., 1 Mar 2025, In: Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie. 72, 3, p. 511-513 3 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/Letter to the editor › Academic
Activities
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The Europian Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care ESAIC (External organisation)
Sperna Weiland, N. H. (Chair)
1 Jan 2025 → 31 Dec 2027Activity: Membership › Membership of committee › Academic
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UvA SEVEN (External organisation)
Sperna Weiland, N. (Member)
1 Sept 2024Activity: Membership › Membership of board › Academic
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Sustainability in Amsterdam UMC
Sperna Weiland, N. (Speaker)
4 Jul 2024Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk › Professional
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Peking Union Medical College Hospital
Sperna Weiland, N. (Visiting researcher)
25 Jun 2024Activity: Visiting an external institution › Visiting an external academic institution › Academic
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Reducing the footprint of volatile anaesthetics: the Dutch approach
Sperna Weiland, N. (Speaker)
25 Jun 2024Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk › Professional
Prizes
Press/Media
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De Groene OK met Wouter Hehenkamp en Niek Sperna Weiland Amsterdam UMC
Sperna Weiland, N. & Hehenkamp, W. J. K.
06/08/2024
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Inhaled anaesthetics are damaging to the environment
04/06/2022
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Kunnen operaties duurzamer? 'Te veel wegwerpmateriaal'
18/02/2021
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Impacts
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Official Visit of a Dutch Political Delegation to P.R. of China
Sperna Weiland, N. H. (Participant)
Impact: !!Social impacts