Heel de Mens

Fokke Jonkman (1957) completed his medical training in Utrecht in 1982. From his interest in balance within systems, he delved into the framework of his pharmacology training at the UvA in the autonomic nervous system. This part of the nervous system largely unconsciously regulates the functioning of internal organs, such as the heart and blood vessels, respiration, and the gastrointestinal tract. In 1986, he completed his training with a dissertation at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences on the regulatory mechanisms involved in discontinuing drug treatment for high blood pressure. He then pursued cardiology training at the Antonius Hospital in Nieuwegein, which he completed in 1992. After two years of cardiology in general hospitals in Breda and Rotterdam, he became a staff member at the Dijkzigt Academic Hospital in Rotterdam, focusing on heart transplants and heart failure. In heart failure treatment, he has always been a pioneer of transmural care: collaboration between healthcare providers, in this case between the general practitioner and cardiologist. Another important focus was bringing cardiovascular diagnostics (echo and BNP) to primary care and supporting treatment by general practitioners and cardiologists with the help of specialized heart failure nurses. Since the late nineties, he has delved into acupuncture, completing the training of the Dutch Physicians Acupuncture Association (NAAV) at the end of 2001. In acupuncture, he has specialized in cardio-acupuncture, various forms of ear acupuncture, and Yamamoto skull acupuncture. In 2010-2011, he completed the Global Balance Acupuncture Method training with Dr. Tan (San Diego).