Role model Annita Brouwer

Who?

"Soooo, here we are again. We're going to have a fun day today!" Every morning Annita van Hal-Brouwer stands in front of the mirror to give herself a nice pep talk. "That works great." She likes to make life a celebration and at Christmas she goes all out. "Then I spend days decorating the whole house. On the windowsill and cupboard I build a whole Christmas village. The front and backyard are also completely decorated with beautiful lights. "Ooooh, Annita is at it again," say the neighbors. I take decorating very seriously. It's also the only day of the year that I have a fight with my husband, haha." At Amsterdam UMC, Annita started as a supervisor of the telephone switchboard, then became a supervisor at the DS Service Desk and currently works as an events coordinator at the Staff Association. "One of the best changes in my life. This is so Annita. My job consists of organizing fun activities and making people happy. That's a dream job, right?"

Specialty?

Doing something for someone else, that's where Annita gets the most energy. "Planning events, organizing it from start to finish. Calling, calling, calling to get something done. I love that. With the ultimate goal of connecting people and giving them a great experience. Corona, of course, threw a spanner in the works. Because in my opinion the power of the personnel association is to do something fun with colleagues outside of work hours. That connects people. When people come together physically, something happens. Then space is created to learn from each other or to get each other moving. That is the power of live. That does not detract from the fact that the online Sinterklaas party, for example, was also a lot of fun, but you experience it a lot less together. In terms of events, there is already a lot of good stuff on the shelves so I hope we can see each other in real life again soon. Do you have a good idea for the staff association? Throw it over the fence, I'll take care of it."

What are you most proud of in terms of work?

"In my time at the DS Servicedek I supported people from Pantar who were distant from the labor market, for example because of a physical, mental or psychological handicap. Man, did I find it rewarding. Years ago, for example, someone came in here foot for foot. Head down, shoulders hunched, so insecure. Now this person is giving a presentation in English about how Amsterdam UMC helps people with a disability get into the job market. Straight up, shoulders back, and I am so proud of him. You may have a crooked leg or be missing an arm, but that doesn't mean you can't function normally. Every human being wants to be heard and seen. That is the basis."

Amsterdam UMC is going for diverse and inclusive. Where are the opportunities?

"Let's especially make use of the lessons from the merger. That merger can be a booster for diversity and inclusion. Because both a merger and the theme of diversity and inclusion are about opening up to others and creating togetherness, the 'we' feeling. During the merger process Amsterdam UMC put a lot of effort into equality - especially not us versus them, not VUmc versus AMC - and entering into an open discussion so that the departments can work together on creating a new identity with room for difference. We have entered into this entire merger process in order to bundle our knowledge and expertise and thus become stronger as an organization. All this also applies to diversity and inclusion. Those differences, they make us stronger. As long as we do it together and everyone feels heard and seen."

A good example of inclusive collaboration within Amsterdam UMC?

"The collaboration with Pantar is all about inclusion. I am really proud that my employer, Amsterdam UMC, gives people with a distance to the labor market a chance. A number of them are now even in permanent employment with us. They are now full employees with a badge, thirteenth month and a Christmas package. Do you know how important that is for people? "Annita, look! I also have my own badge now", they tell me beaming. That bit of appreciation, however small it may seem, is what you get in return for loyal, hard-working employees. I once visited a grower who also employed people with a distance to the labor market. One person would cut the cutting, another would put the cutting in a jar, another would put a lid on the jar, yet another would put the jar in a box, and so on. And if they had to go to the bathroom, they had to ask first. Stop it, man! You can't call that work, can you? That would give me a disability as well. No, give people a real chance. Let them do real work. Attention and respect are like water to a plant. Water a plant and it blooms. Inclusion is about equality, that everyone can participate and is respected."

Outside of work hours?

"From Dutch to old soul, at home the music is always on. I also like to go to festivals. North Sea Jazz, for example, is a regular event, which I love. And what you might not expect from me but what I really like, I have to laugh about it myself, is diamond painting. That's very painstakingly sticking all those little stones onto a canvas pattern. It makes me really zen. Most of what I make I give away. Otherwise the house would be filled with it in no time. I never do anything halfway."

Do you have any questions for Annita or would you like to know more about diversity & inclusion within Amsterdam UMC. If so, please email diversiteit@amsterdamumc.nl

Text: Sophie Verschoor