After a wonderful career spanning 40 years, Mieke Hazes will enjoy her well-deserved retirement starting October 2022. She was appointed Professor of Rheumatology at Erasmus University in 2000 and was head of the Department of Rheumatology or 19 years, which she founded herself in 2000. In addition, she was chairman of the Staff Convention for 3½ years. In 2019, she became Director of Quality & Patient Care. Last but not least, she became Chairman of the Service Company in 2021.

On Thursday, September 29, her farewell took place in the St. Lawrence Church. Mieke celebrated her goodbye with a symposium with interesting presentations by various speakers, followed by a reception.

A few days before the conference, Mayor Sasha Ausems of the municipality of Waalwijk pinned the royal decoration on her and swore her in as Knight in the Order of the Dutch Lion. As the first female professor of Rheumatology in the Netherlands, Mieke has, among other things, paid attention to women with rheumatism and a desire to have children.